ISAF and the 33rd America's Cup Mutiny

Drama, intrigue, twisting plot... all elements of a good story. Good stories may also have aspects we can relate to, yet can’t quite experience for ourselves. This was the 33rd America’s Cup, and like any good sequel, it carried on elements of previous episodes while also being unique. That it was.

Bitter billionaires contesting in a mano-a-mano duel. No-limit multihulls facing off in a never before seen match race contest. Tactics and strategy - on land and by sea. Probably the only failing of this movie was its excessive length. Parts should have been cut. But when the ending came, bamm, it provided that extra element that all good series have. Something we did not expect.

It was after challenger USA 17 crushed defender Alinghi 5 in both races to win the 33rd America’s Cup that Scuttlebutt legal analyst Cory E. Friedman broke the story of a mutiny on the race committee boat. What you say? Yes, during the deciding second race of February 14. 2010, the defense club - Societe Nautique De Geneve’s (SNG) - had their race committee actually go on strike and refuse to start the race ordered by ISAF approved PRO Harold Bennett.

The Swiss mutiny was publically deemed a violation of the highest order, and questioned again how the America’s Cup could be considered a fair sporting event as long as biased hands administered the event. But another question loomed too. Would ISAF have the courage to investigate the matter and deliver harsh punishment where needed?

After over three months, the answer is now upon us, and it is, just like the 33rd America’s Cup, not what we expected. Following a standard review process by the ISAF Race Officials Committee, it is their assessment of the ‘mutiny’ event that it may have been Bennett who was as much the mutineer as was the SNG race committee personnel.

What ISAF found were a series of conflicts of who was really in charge. As PRO, one would assume that Bennett was in charge. If he wanted to run the race, then the race would be run. There were legal documents that supported this position. However, Bennett had also agreed with SNG that there would be a voting system. Bennett was among the four members that comprised the SNG appointed race committee, and Bennett would hold two of the votes.

Prior to the start of the second race, a 3-2 vote was taken against starting the race. But Bennett believed the 7-9 knots of wind and 1 meter swell were suitable conditions, and when the three members of the SNG race committee refused to proceed and went below decks, he recruited non-SNG personnel and together they got the race started.

So what does ISAF intend to do? It would seem that there was not a lot they could do. They found the race to be a fair contest, and since SNG did not protest it, the steps forward for ISAF is to clarify their rules and regulations such that the responsibilities of ISAF appointed race officers are better understood. -- Craig Leweck

ISAF statement: http://www.sailing.org/32808.php
ISAF Race Officials Committee report: http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/ROCFindingsandReport-[8925].pdf

Digby Fox - Match Race Germany 2010

Digby Fox produced these four daily highlight shows from Match Race Germany Trophy (May 19-24), the second event on the 2010 World Match Racing Tour. This event was held on Lake Constance in Langenargen, Germany, and was won by Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing.
Click here for additional photos.

Day 1


Day 2


Day 3


Day 4

The perfect handicap rule

While I don't mean to negate the good intentions of this Great Lakes group, but the claim in this promotional copy caught my eye:



ORROA (Offshore Racing Rule Owners Association), in cooperation with the Offshore Racing Association (ORA) and Offshore Racing Rule (ORR), has developed a new racing series called The Great Lakes Championship Series. By providing a common rule among different venues on the Great Lakes, boat owners of all types will compete on a fair and level playing-field, as the objective rule does not give an advantage to any boat type.

Is ORR the perfect rule?

Eric Goetz has my money

I have never personally met Eric Goetz. I have heard from people who know him and like him. However, right now I am not among them.

He bought ads from me at a time he knew his ship was sinking, and he knew he would not be able to pay for those ads. And he didn't, or at least not fully. I received a check for 1% of what I was owed, which is now framed and hangs on my office wall so that I don’t ever forget what Eric did.

Here is a story that was posted May 24, 2010 in Soundings Trade Only:

GOETZ FILES FOR CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY
Bristol, R.I., boatbuilder Goetz Custom Technologies filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Rhode Island.

According to court documents, filed last month, the company claims $950,000 in assets and about $3.5 million in liabilities. It lists nearly 100 creditors in its bankruptcy filing.

Last December, Goetz Custom Technology, owned by Eric Goetz, laid off its entire work force for the second time in 2009, as work came to a halt on an 82-foot racing sailboat at the center of a lawsuit, which is still pending.

The boat was being built for Aegir Racing Ltd., the legal entity created by a Scotsman who hired Goetz to build the Rogers 82 in August 2008 for more than $6 million. In October, Aegir filed a lawsuit against Goetz in U.S. District Court.

Aegir claims the boat has a structural problem, "in that some bulkheads and longitudinal beams have not been fabricated or installed in accordance with the plans."

Goetz denies that allegation.

In early 2009, Eric Goetz's former company, Goetz Custom Sailboats, was petitioned into receivership. However, he bought the assets back in a March 2009 auction and created a new company.

The receivership was the result of ongoing cash flow problems caused by the company's inability to obtain refinancing and by the termination of a construction contract by one of the company's international customers, the company said in a statement at the time of the announcement.

Goetz could not immediately be reached this morning for comment.

Book Review - A Race Too Far

Nearly every year there is now a race or record where the route goes around the world. Some with stops, many without. While the undertaking is daunting, it has been achieved many times over. Yes, failures exist, but they are rarely tragic. Advances in communication and support prevent that. But it wasn’t always this way.

The book ‘A Race Too Far’ follows the real life story of the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, the very first non-stop, single-handed, round-the-world yacht race. What we may take for granted now was then, the equivalent of space travel. It was like walking on the moon. It was very simply not known whether a human could endure such an undertaking.

Earlier books and the movie ‘Deep Water’ have also covered this story, but author Chris Eakin was able to get many of the participants to tell their story for the very first time. Of the nine sailors who started the race, there was one suicide during the race, one suspicious death after the race, with many more lives suffering consequences. Only Robin Knox-Johnston succeeded, sailing much of the race without an autopilot, and overcoming formidable obstacles along the route.

Eakin succeeds at sharing this gripping tale, and for revealing the relevance this event had on how races are now managed. It is hard to imagine where we would be if Knox-Johnston had not succeeded, as the book demonstrates the immense influence he has had on the sport. At 320 pages, it is great read if you are looking for one. Click here for additional information.

2010 International One Meter Class (IMOC) Region One Championship

George Bekris provides this report from the 2010 International One Meter Class (IMOC) Region One Championship:

The IOMC is a class of ISAF-sanctioned sailboats whose lines adhere to the International Rule - the same rule that governs the design of such classic boats as the 12 and Six Metre classes. Only there’s no boarding these boats. IOCs, as they’re called, are radio controlled and easily fit in the trunk of the smallest compact car.

At an average price tag of $3,000 per boat, IOC racers are a rather committed breed. Each boat comes with three rigs, and can be sailed in winds of up to 50 knots. Regattas are organized just as any big boat race would be, with an NOR issued in advance, the field divided into squadrons, and committee boat on the water.

Most of these racers are ex big boat sailors, But for whatever reason, whether it be cost, or time, some people just don’t want to deal with crew and managing a boat.

When you’re done, you can hose it off, put it in the car and go home.

3 men in a boat (sort of)

The Expert Olympic Garda 2010 - Eurolymp attracted international competition during the May 12-16 event on Lake Garda in Northern Italy. It also attracted an inflatable castle better known for entertaining small children at birthday parties. Here is a report from Derick Vranizan of Seattle, WA, who is the American Laser sailor in the video:

This was actually a pretty funny experience. As I recall it had been a pretty calm day for the most part. We were waiting for the breeze to fill in when I first noticed the castle floating down the lake. The YouTube clip is right before the first race when they finally made it onto our course, which was about half a mile to the south of Riva del Garda. The breeze had come on strong after a bit of a wait that morning and was pushing the castle at a pretty good rate.

I went over to have a look because, not only was there a bouncy castle floating in the middle of Lake Garda, but also because they had about four boats following them and filming the whole scene. When I got closer, they started yelling things like "USA! USA!" and "Barack Obama". All in all it was a pretty funny experience. I honestly had no idea that they were British because, other than the chanting and awkward yelling, they didn't say anything to most of the sailors. It looked like they were having a blast though, and it made for a bit of humor in an otherwise uneventful morning. It was a great way to start a fun day of sailing on windy Lake Garda.

Short version


Long version

Long Beach and the America's Cup

Cities are putting their best foot forward to bring the excitement of the America's Cup to their town. Here is the presentation from Sail Long Beach:

With its strong prevailing winds and deep waterfront access, Long Beach, CA is a world-class sailing venue. Long Beach is well suited to conduct a multi-challenger event in conditions similar to those found on San Francisco Bay. The city is also home to the Congressional Cup, Transpac send off and training grounds for multiple America's Cup teams including BMW/Oracle Racing.

Long Beach is no stranger to hosting premier sporting events. The city has played host to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Sailing Venue, 2004 US Olympic Swim Trials, 2007 Amgen Tour of California, the annual Long Beach Grand Prix, and most recently, the Red Bull’s New Year “No Limits” on ESPN with Travis Pastrana. In fact, Red Bull was so pleased with the City’s venue and cohesive community partnership that they have chosen to return to Long Beach for this year's Flugtag; which they estimate will draw a crowd of 100,000 to Rainbow Harbor.

Our thesis is the actual America’s Cup will be raced in San Francisco in 2014. A series of Acts will be raced around the world in each Challenger’s home port. The City of Long Beach offers support for the America’s Cup competitors in a number of ways including; facility support for training and preliminary competitions. One scenario might include a multi-Challenger series hosted in Long Beach which determines the quarter-finalists. The final four would finish on a Sunday in mid- August. The following Monday they would load onto trucks for a mini tour of California. The boats would be rigged and ready to sail their first semi-final the following Saturday.

The spirit of the Long Beach‘s offer is one of cooperation and support for the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC). San Francisco may prove problematic for the entire event. However, we believe it is entirely appropriate that San Francisco and the GGYC host the 34th America’s Cup. Ida Lewis YC in Newport offered a themselves as the NYYC’s auxiliary station in Newport, RI for decades. We see Long Beach in a similar role.

The City of Long Beach, CA stands at the ready to support the event.



Note: A revised video was posted May 23, 2010 to incorporate some of the feedback received.

Anti Piracy Recommendations

ISAF Repeats Anti Piracy Recommendations
Wednesday 19 May 2010

Military Authorities have issued further warnings of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Northern Indian Ocean region. As a result the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has re-issued advice on guidelines.



The danger of piracy extends through the Gulf of Aden, Yemeni and Somali waters including the NW Indian Ocean north of 15 degrees south and west of 78 degrees east. It is through this area of concern that the second leg of the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race from Cape Town, South Africa north to Abu Dhabi, UAE extends.

Within the ISAF piracy guidelines it states that the highest danger of piracy and consequent loss of life and property is in the GoA (Gulf of Aden), Yemeni and the Somali waters (up to 750 miles offshore). Acknowledging the dangers, Volvo Ocean Race organizers have already stated this leg will have an exclusion zone to skirt the area of highest danger.

However, what is not known now is where that zone will be, as each year these crimes occur further and further offshore. Hopefully there will be some safe water left by December 2011 when the fleet will be racing on this leg.

Reid Stowe returns after 1,152 days at sea

From the 'All's Well That Ends Well' Department:



New Yorker Returns June 17 After Record 1,152 Days at Sea;
Sees Two-Year-Old Son for the First Time

New York City artist, adventurer and sailor Reid Stowe, on his 70-ft. gaff-rigged schooner Anne, has less than one month left on his epic 1000+ Days non-stop and non-resupplied sea voyage. However, since Day 1,000 (January 16, 2010) of Stowe's challenging voyage would have scheduled his return to New York Harbor in the middle of winter when the storms of the North Atlantic were at their peak, Stowe decided to sail with the variable winds and currents of the Atlantic doldrums, postponing his return until Thursday, June 17, 2010, after logging 1,152 days at sea.

On June 17, Stowe will be accompanied by a flotilla of boats up the Hudson River to Pier 81 (World Yacht pier) where he will debark at 1 p.m. and step foot on land for the first time in over three years. He will reunite with his companion, Soanya Ahmad, who sailed with Stowe for the first 306 days of the voyage, but had to leave due to morning sickness. Ahmad now holds the women's record for the longest non-stop sea voyage. Stowe will also meet, for the first time, his son Darshen, who was conceived at sea and is now almost two years old.

Stowe left port April 21, 2007, accompanied by his companion Ahmad. Together they sailed from the Hudson towards the Atlantic on a ship laden with three years worth of food, beans for sprouting, solar panels for energy, large tarps to catch rainwater, a laptop, an Iridium satellite telephone, and a JouBeh satellite tracking unit that would verify the path of the 1000 days voyage (see Google map at www.1000days.net). Stowe survived a collision with a freighter on day 15, endured tough repairs with limited supplies, through the loss of his companion and only crewmember when she had to leave the boat due to nausea, and through the solitary days that followed. Still, Stowe managed to create two large scale conceptual art drawings with the course that he sailed, the shape of a whale in the Pacific and a heart in the Atlantic.

Why 1000 Days?
One thousand days is the time estimated for a future mission to Mars, which will have similar attributes of isolation and vessel self-reliance - hence the project's name, "Mars Ocean Odyssey." Stowe's primary motivation is "to take exploration on the sea further than anyone has before." Linked to thousands of followers on the Web, on day 638 he writes, "...it takes more to live at sea than a good boat and all the preparations, skills and psychology than you can imagine. It takes the continued support of the loving consciousness of humankind." Despite numerous mental, physical, and emotional hardships that would have caused another person to head for the safety of the shore, Stowe remains optimistic, finding strength in a deep spiritual connection to the sea.

Please visit the official website at www.1000days.net to read daily blogs from the Anne, see her current location, hear audio clips, and much more.

Arrival Details

June 17, 2010

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Flotilla to welcome Stowe from south of the Verrazano Bridge to Pier 81
All vessels may register by visiting www.1000days.net

Noon (approximately)
Best viewing of the Welcome Flotilla is along the esplanade - Battery Park City
Bring signs saying, "WELCOME HOME, REID!!!"

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Welcome event on Pier 81 (World Yacht / Circle Line)
Foot of West 42nd Street & Hudson River
Stowe lands, reunited with family, greetings by NYC VIPs, photo oppty.
Free admittance by reservation, only - visit www.1000days.net
Pier 81 event generously hosted by Circle Line / World Yacht
Free food & champagne donated by Circle Line / World Yacht

June 20, 2010

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Welcome party at Pier 66 Maritime
Foot of West 26th Street & Hudson River
Fundraiser for Stowe
Music, food, bar - Meet Reid Stowe and celebrate
Tickets available on www.1000days.net

You Can Be Jersey Too!

The International Lightning Class Association (ILCA) shares this piece of promotional wizadry cooked up by the New Jersey locals:


As we welcome visitors to the Metedeconk River Yacht Club (Brick, NJ) this August for the 2010 Women’s, Juniors’ and Masters’ Lightning North American Championship, we wonder given our state’s reputation, the jokes on late night TV, and the thoughts that the state’s biggest exports are pollution and mobsters, if people really know what our state is about. Please take the following quiz and learn more about New Jersey, along with its rich sailing heritage and a great vacation spot.

New Jersey/ Jersey Shore/Jersey Sailing Quiz

1. New Jersey has on its license plates:
a) Sinatra’s Birthplace
b) Home of the Boss
c) You from Jersey? ...what exit?
d) The Garden State

2. True or false: The 2010 North Americans at Toms River will be the first Lightning North Americans held in New Jersey.

3. Who of the following did not grow up sailing on Barnegat Bay, site of the 2010 NAs:
a) Two time NA Champion Allan Terhune
b) US Sailing President Gary Jobson
c) ILCA Class Measurer Bill Clausen
d) Multiple Yachtswoman of the year Betsy Allison

4. True or false: On the television series, “The Sopranos”, which was based in New Jersey, Tony’s boat, The Stugots, was docked at Mantoloking along the Jersey Shore. It was from this location where Tony left to kill former aide “Big Pussy” via gunshots and burial in the Atlantic Ocean. Mantoloking has one of the yacht clubs based on Barnegat Bay, and lies between Metedeconk and Toms River.

5. Which one of these Springsteen lyrics does not refer to the Jersey shore area?
a) “ Billy slammed on his coaster brakes and said anybody wanna go up to Greasy Lake, it’s a mile down on the dark side of route eighty eight, I got a bottle of rose so let’s try it”
b) “sparks fly on E Street when the boy prophets walk it handsome and hot, all the little girls’ souls grow weak when the man-child gives them a double-shot”
c) “At night we ride through mansions of glory in suicide machines; sprung from cages along highway 9, chrome wheeled, fuel injected and steppin out over the line”
d) “down on the boardwalk they’re getting ready for a fight gonna see what those racket boys will do”
e) “my machine, she’s a dud, I’m stuck in the mud, somewhere in the swamps of Jersey”

6. On the Metedeconk River Yacht Club burgee, there is an Indian, as first settlers in the area were Indians - what does Metedeconk translate to in Native American speak?
a) River with good fishing and hunting
b) Name for Jim Carson meaning “fast fuzzy”, first time Jim tacked to a safe leeward off tribe member’s canoe
c) We don’t know – can someone develop a good story?

7. The Jersey Shore Sea Breeze refers to:
a) Breeze which develops when land heats up, and cooling winds develops off the Atlantic Ocean to produce perfect 12-15 southeast knots on Barnegat Bay
b) Metedeconk River Yacht Club’s favorite rum drink
c) Hottest band playing along the bars at the Seaside Boardwalk

8. True or False: The Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey.

9. Which of these sailors won a national/international Lightning event held at Metedeconk River Yacht Club?
a) Jody Swanson
b) Jody Lutz
c) Larry MacDonald

10. True or False: On the fabled MTV Series, “Jersey Shore”, none of the participants was from New Jersey.

11. During the WJMs, when will the Metedeconk River Yacht Club bar close?
a) When the fat lady sings
b) When Race Committee Chair Jim Carson’s Schnitz pulls into his boat slip the next morning signaling start of the race day
c) When Rob Ruhlman says it’s time to close

12. What should one bring to the Jersey shore to enjoy two wonderful weeks of sailing this August?
a) A regulation, bonafide Lightning sailboat
b) Three individuals per boat who bask in sailboat races with great conditions and excellent competition
c) All one’s hopes and dreams
d) All the above

Answers in comments section

Fin development for kite racing

San Francisco Bay may be ground zero for kite racing, with this report from waterhound.com profiling the work going on with fin set-ups:

With all the work around fin set-ups there seems to be a consensus that next year we will see 3 fin set up as the mainstay. One big fin in the center and two smaller thruster style fins. That said I took a few shots of the various fin set ups and posted them below. There is a quite a variety and you may recognize many Formula Windsurfing Fins being utilized. A lot of the riders have been taking old Formula fins and cutting them down. I am not sure who donated the two Techtonic Fins in the first photo but that was a crime. Those were still good fins!

Doping violator inducted in America's Cup Hall of Fame

The America's Cup Hall of Fame was created to honor the challengers, defenders, and legendary personages of the world's most distinguished sporting competition. Commencing with the first induction ceremony in 1993, over 70 legends of the Cup have been selected for membership in the Hall of Fame.

Candidates eligible for consideration include skippers, afterguard, crew, designers, builders, organizers, syndicate leaders, managers, supporters, chroniclers, race managers, and other individuals of merit. Each nominee is judged on the basis of outstanding ability, international recognition, character, performance, and contributions to the America’s Cup.

Given that the America’s Cup is arguably the premiere event in the sport, it has long attracted some of the most notable sailors, of which the Hall of Fame Honor Roll of Members represents the most elite group. Considering this extremely high standard, it is of interest that the latest selection for induction at the 17th Induction Ceremony on September 18, 2010 includes a candidate that had been banned from the sport.

The induction list includes Simon Daubney (NZL), Warwick Fleury (NZL), Murray Jones (NZL), Dean Phipps (NZL), Mike Drummond (NZL), and Halsey Herreshoff (USA). As for the asterisk among the group, it is Daubney, who was banned from the sport by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) from July 14, 2007 to July 13, 2009 as a result of an Anti Doping violation during the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007.

The violation hearings process, which had included the America’s Cup jury, ISAF, and the Swiss Olympic Association, concluded when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) agreed with the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) that Daubney was in violation of doping. Following this action, ISAF Secretary General Jerome Pels said, “We are delighted with the outcome of the CAS Hearing. ISAF’s Anti-Doping Programme seeks to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about the spirit of sport; it is the essence of Olympism and how we play true. Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport.”

ISAF report: http://www.sailing.org/news/25570.php
Hall of Fame announcement: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0512a/

2010 Etchells North Americans

Come along for a tour of the world class San Diego Yacht Club, which will host the 2010 Etchells North American Championship June 7-12.

The problem is technology

If you are wondering why more people aren’t sailing these days, this excerpt from an article on Soundings Trade Only believes that the problem is technology:

Computers. Cell phones. Texting. E-mail. Aren’t they all great inventions that are making our lives better? Not so fast. Sure, these innovations are causing us to interact faster and, probably, with more people than ever before. But, the truth is we’re now recognizing this interaction is apparently at the expense of good old fashion face-to-face time and experiences.

Take, for example, e-mail. These days, we’re e-mailing all day long from our computers, according to John Freeman, author of The Tyranny of E-mail: The Four Thousand-Year Journey to Your Inbox. In a recent poll conducted by AOL, almost 60 percent of the respondents admitted they have even checked their email while in the bathroom. We glance at it mid-conversation. It’s the first and last thing we do each day. Could one say we’re addicted?

But here’s the problem, says Freeman. The more we e-mail, the more e-mail we get. And, the more e-mail we get leads to more time spent . . . well, e-mailing! Studies show that those hours spent typing away don’t come from the workday or TV viewing, but from time with our families.

To e-mail, let’s add the DVR as another great invention that’s robbing families of interpersonal time. According to Freeman, a recent study by the Nielsen Company revealed TV viewing has reached an all-time high of 151 hours per month. Blame the DVR, he contends, at least in part. It makes it so easy to capture any program, including many we think we might be interested in, for later viewing. The result - more hours parked in front of the tube watching all the stuff we’ve saved.

Many sociologists now worry that modern technology is resulting in less and less quality time sharing good experiences with loved ones and friends. Heck, nowadays, instead of actually talking with a friend on the cell phone, we let our thumbs do the talking and just text! Whatever happened to simply enjoying time together, you know, face-to-face?