Letter of the Week

This letter came from Vernon Merritt, who felt strongly enough on this subject to dedicate 554 words to it. We felt strongly enough to post all 554 words here:

Mr. Friedman continues to impress with his analysis of the respective parties legal arguments in NY Supreme Court. His latest report from the frontline, "Part 48," was perhaps one of the most interesting because he was able to create a somewhat disturbing account of what he clearly believes - and what I now believe - has become a theater of the absurd.

Everything that seemed good and right about having a knowledgeable Judge and the best attorneys that money could buy to parry back and forth over arcane but not inconsequential matters relating to the AC competition has apparently gone out the porthole. Whereas hale matters of precedent and procedure and the Deed all seemed as though they should be integral to the ever-changing lines of engagement, now the matters are fluff, hype, outright prevarication(s), and other deceptions. How can the process EVER permit such legal minds to engage so aimlessly and ineffectually in what should be purposeful fact-finding and argument? It is a disgrace. And it seems as if (despite the correctness of Judge Kornreich's bench decision re: venue) that you can see these dubious rulings, empty argument and et cetera coming in painfully slow motion. OUCH!

How does each billionaire hire such hapless legal talent?

How does the uber-well paid, hapless legal talent so ingloriously prepare for their supreme moment in the brightest limelight of this world's foremost yachting royalty? Not to mention just REALLY rich, REALLY well-connected society with REALLY big bank accounts and personal and professional legal matters they believe are REALLY important?? As in, a theater filled with potential future clients all easily capable of paying multi-thousand dollar/hour legal fees...

How does a Boies get away with NOT having anyone from Ellison's team at his side to not only provide him with helpful, necessary perspective on the case, but also to just shut him up when that would be appropriate?

How is a Judge at this stage of the game with this litigation and at the Supreme Court level permitted to simply state - in a potentially backbreaking, revisionist history kind of way - that there is an allegedly "unrebutted" affidavit re: the rules that really was already extensively "rebutted" in open Court by Jim Kearny? And then THAT statement is allowed to go "unrebutted" because Boies didn't have the aforementioned legal lieutenant at his side?

And no clerk there to whisper into Judge Kornreich's ear that Barry Ostrager was taking such liberties with the truth that her Courtroom was in imminent danger of becoming irreparably desecrated?

If there was ONE aspect of the entire - SO PREDICTABLE what with dueling, bratty, self-absorbed, "it's all about me" billionaires controlling events - AC33 acrimony that should have and could have been a source of peace, wisdom and common sense (especially with so much foreign media-types watching closely), it is the venue of the NY Supreme Court. So far, Judge Kornreich has proven that we cannot have faith for that. One can only hope that when she rules on the rules later this week, she reaches out to Cory Friedman for some much needed guidance!! It would seem that any perception of the good Judge as a masterful jurist is also at risk, as is any hope that the rest of the world will have faith in her rulings.

Oy vey!!!

Handy America's Cup Resolution Spinner

From T.J. Perrotti, Perrotti Performance Design, LLC:

Thought you and 'butt readers might find the attached handy. Maybe pass this on to Ernesto and Larry? I'm a gambling man ... my bet's on the Ross Ice Shelf ... strap on the ice runners and let those babies fly!

David Trigueiro

Scuttlebutt 2860 reported on the death of David Trigueiro. I had worked with David to coordinate West Marine advertising in Scuttlebutt. I just had to delete David from my contact list.


EIGHT BELLS
David Trigueiro, 44, of Monterey, California has died following a brief illness. David worked at West Marine for the past 10 years, most recently as Senior Marketing Manager. A native of northern California, Mr. Trigueiro was born in Modesto and grew up in San Jose. He graduated San Jose State in 1990 with a degree in Graphic Design. He enjoyed visits to Northern Italy and Napa Valley, black & white photography, cooking, entertaining and delighted in meeting and knowing people. He is predeceased by his father, Joseph W. Trigueiro and survived by his mother, Ruth J. Trigueiro of Sunnyvale, CA, sister Carolyn S. Trigueiro of Gold Beach, Oregon and countless friends who shall miss him dearly. A private service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Ruth Trigueiro, 1085 Tasman Dr., Apt. #768 Sunnyvale, CA 94089.

2009 U.S. Snipe Nationals

This comes from videographer Vince Casalaina:

The 2009 US Snipe Snipe Nationals kicked off in Pensacola this past June in what was billed as much better conditions than when the Nationals were last here. The conditions were everything competitors thought it would be with everything from very light air to crashing thunderstorms. Throughout the regatta, the Pensacola Yacht Club did an outstanding job of hosting and running the event. The competition was intense, as it always is when Snipes race.

We take our motto very seriously. Serious Sailing, Serious Fun. There were plenty of both there that week. It was great to see a strong contingent of younger sailors including some all american collegiate racers and the 2007 World Champions Tomas Hornos and Enrique Quintera.

Augie Diaz and Kathleen Tocke won the regatta to keep their string alive from last year in San Francisco. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday before the Nationals were the US Snipe Jr. Nationals (not older than 21) and the Special Juniors (Jr. skipper and Sr. crew). Raul Rios and Antonio Sifre won the Jr. Nationals and are going to the Snipe Jr. Worlds and 11 year old Christian Filter sailing with his dad came in 2nd overall and won the Special Jr.s.

Gary Jobson elected as US SAILING President

UAE Yachting

By hosting the 33rd America’s Cup in the Ras al-Khaimah of the United Arab Eremites (UAE), the defender Alinghi team is eager to expose the region to yachting at its highest range. Given the view of the Dubai Traditional 22ft Dhow Sailing Championship this past weekend, there would seem to be quite a distance in that range.

The 22 ft dhow is used to train and introduce youngsters to sailing. Although the design of the boat remains traditional many sailors have opted to purchase sails from modern sail makers in Europe keeping within the guidelines of the UAE Marine Sports Federation.

“We have taken the approach to develop a training boat based on our traditions and we are pleased with the results,” said Saeed Harib, who was competing in the event. “Some of these sailors will go on to race the 43 ft or 60 ft dhows and some will go on to race on our Sea Dubai branded RC44 and race internationally in the RC44 Championship Tour.”

The final Round of the RC44 Championship Tour will be hosted in Dubai International Marine Club in November.

Photographs by Ashraf Al Amra.

Bumper Stickers

Things to think about on a Friday (click on image to enlarge):

U.S. Sailboat Show

Dear Annapolis:

Thank you very much for the nice weather last week during the U.S. Sailboat Show. I travelled from San Diego, and am not so adapt at dealing with rain or cold winds. Good news too is that despite the warm weather, the sailing gear exhibitors were reporting big sales. Keep up the good work, and if possible, try to hold off the cold fronts until the Melges 24 Worlds is completed later this month.

Regards,

Butthead

P.S. - More photos on Scuttlebutt Fan Page

Complaint filed against Goetz

If you are into court proceedings (and who isn’t these days after all the action with the America’s Cup), Eric Goetz has found himself as the defendant in a complaint filed against him in the United States District Court, District Of Rhode Island.

If you remember, it was Eric Goetz Custom Sailboats (EGCS) - a prominent custom builder responsible for the 2008-9 Volvo Ocean Race entrant PUMA - that was petitioned into Receivership in January 2009. Under a new company titled Goetz Custom Technologies (GCT), Eric bought the business back from the state in March 2009, with promises of a better and brighter future.

However, based on information gathered from the complaint filed October 5, 2009, the future looks to be a financial mess. The complaint was filed by Aegir Racing (AR), who had contracted in August 2008 with EGCS to build an 82-foot Rogers-design sailing yacht for more than six million dollars. The contract was then transferred to Goetz’s new company, but after a summer of turmoil where AR payments to GCT have apparently left contributing vendors unpaid, AR is now alleging that GCT does not appear to have the financial resources necessary to complete the Rogers 82.

A request for comment from Eric Goetz has not yet been answered, so until a statement is made by his company, ‘buttheads can read through the events between GCT and AR as documented in the court complaint: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/1006/

Poetry

Tim Abady combines his literary skills with his America's Cup opinions in this dispatch titled An ode to 'many' water “birds”.

WE are a hostile challenger,
(So) WE throw all others aside,
We have no respect – for YOU,
(But) Expect YOU to show it for U.S.

YOU will not dare to upset us,
YOU will do as we say.
WE will control the rules,
WE will control the venue.

WE will specify the vessel,
We WILL measure as WE wish,
And we will control YOU.

You can all TRUST U.S.
We ARE frightened of Iran and Al-Quaeda,
Some say we are frightened
of YOU but,
We WILL prevail because

We are not soft....
We are the oracle,
We are USA.

WE will (,however, probably not actually race you one the water in case You beat U.S. There).