indexed

It’s been half a year since Mark Morley and Suzanne Bickel died aboard the Kiwi 35 Wingnuts, which flipped over during Chicago Yacht Club’s Race To Mackinac. We’ve seen conflicting official reports on what really happened, and we’ve seen US Sailing’s recommendations, and last week, CYC issued rules that will prevent boats with a modified Stability Index of less than 103 from racing the world’s premier freshwater distance race. The pitchforks were sharpened and the torches lit when news emerged that the cutoff excluded proven offshore boats like the J/30, so we grabbed the race’s Chief Measurer, Ron White, during last weekend’s Strictly Sail show, to discuss the real effect of the new rule on the fleet and the future of the race.

Be sure to check out Wednesday’s Front Page for the full report from Strictly Sail, including new product videos from Karver, Robichaud, and Colligo Marine, and interviews with more than a dozen movers and shakers in the sailing industry. And a few college girls…

frostbite fanatics

A record 35 teams turned out for last weekend’s 2012 Interclub Midwinter Championship at Larchmont YC. The 146 sailors (70 skippers, 76 crews) represented the largest gathering at an IC regatta in nearly 16 years, and those who attended were not disappointed. A rare January southwester filled after the first race on Saturday at 8-14 knots with stiff chop, followed by a shifty, puffy westerly on Sunday of similar velocity to allow for 20 races over two days.

The Interclub Midwinters features “college-style” racing -- competitors team up with friends to form “A” and “B” teams, with the lowest combined score winning the regatta. Each race is 10-15 minutes in length and there are no discards, placing a premium on consistency and short course strategy. Sailors rotate divisions every three to four races to keep warm, though the warm weather allowed everyone to spectate from the lawn and porch while sipping soup between sets.

Past IC National Champions John and Molly Baxter, and Danny Pletsch and Jane Delashmutt, all St. Mary’s College alums racing for the home LYC club, sailed consistently to finish seventeen point ahead of Team 21, Ben Cesare, Dorsey Roseberry, David Dowd and Tricia Leicht to win the title. Clay Bischoff and Kendra Emhiser won the A division, and finished third overall with teammates Ted Ferrarone and Meredith Killion. Despite the overall win, Baxter and Pletsch each scored at least one race of 16th or worse in the competitive fleet that featured three former college sailors of the year, 18 former collegiate All Americans, and several national and world champions from a variety of classes.

The Midwinters counts toward the Wharf Rat Challenge, a trophy donated by Steve and Heidi Benjamin for overall performance during the winter IC circuit. The next Wharf Rat event is the Stanley Bell Memorial at Larchmont March 17-18, followed by the Tally Cup at Cottage Park YC (Winthrop, Mass.) in early April, culminating with the nationals April 28-29 at Rochester YC. Thank you to Heineken for its continued support of IC class regattas at Larchmont.

By Peter Beardsley, photos from Howie McMichael and more here.

Results here
Slideshow by Maureen Koeppel here
Photos by Tom Spelman here

take off?

Looks pretty trick. Next stop, AC? Thanks to Anarchist Brian.

scotw

turn that paige

SA Contributing Editor Paige Brooks has been living out her sailing passion for a long time. Whether helming her Etchells, running race committee, or helping out the OTW Anarchy report, no one can say that “Dixie” doesn’t give back to the sport constantly.

And last weekend, she took some of that goodness back during the 3 Bridge Fiasco – and for all she does out in the Bay Area and beyond, she’s our Sailor Chick of the Week. Congrats, Paige!

You can read the full race rundown in the very informative and photo-filled thread, and here’s Paige’s report, with a photo from Jeremy Leonard/Surf City Racing, with a huge gallery of great shots here.

I had the great pleasure of sailing the Three Bridge with Jonathan "Bird" Livingston aboard his custom Wylie "Punk Dolphin." The 3BF has been on my racing ‘bucket list’ forever, but this was my first time, and only my second time out sailing with Bird.

We had a blast and laughed our way around the course, and by magic and determination, managed to eke out a 2nd in our fleet of 36 boats (21st overall). The weather was grand, the wind spotty, and the competition delightful. I love the way the race challenges you on so many levels - current, wind, competition, and lickety split clean up at the corners so you're ready for your next big move.

on board

the spirit of generosity

Life at sea from Marco Nannini sailing the Global Ocean Race

We have now been at sea for 2 full days and slowly getting back in the swing of ocean life, daily food bags, sail changes, position reports, naps and snacks... the start of this leg was far from simple for us with lots of little snags to worry about, the brand new spare NKE wind wand started throwing an error before even leaving the dock, but too late to do anything about it, the master alternator wasn't initially charging the batteries, the ballast pump didnt respond and the mast navigation and deck lights would not work on the first night...

When we left Wellington harbour in about 10 knots of wind we were caught completely by surprise finding 35 knots just outside, probably Wellington's way of waving us goodbye. We had not set the staysail before leaving and everything suddenly became very uncomfortable and we lost ages to do the sail changes trying to avoid any early damage.

On the second day we slowly fixed the problems and things looked up and we started enjoying the Pacific Ocean ride, we are now with our small spinnaker, one of the two kindly repaired free of charge by Dave at Seaview Sails and Rigging to help us get going again. We have a lot of people to thank in Wellington for the support received during this stopover, the wonderful Ben and Sarah Spencer who hosted us in Karori, Eva and Frank Kiss who lent us a car to get around as well as treating us to a few nice meals, Craig and Geoff who donated some freeze dried food, Ben Amor who serviced our winches, dived to scrub the boat and invited us for a killer barbecue... all in all i will never forget the kindness and generosity of everyone in Wellington.

Such generosity made our life easier and kept the cost down and now that we left we can draw a line, thanks also to the donations received from friends and the sailing public during the previous leg we pulled it off and are at sea again. Now that land is a few hundred miles behind I can reveal that i very nearly got into negotiations to sell the boat but hopefully we'll take care and try to minimise damage on this leg and in Punta we'll be one leg closer to home.

Adding up the donations received to our racing funds from the beginning of the race i can also reveal that the public has now officially become our number one sponsor, a massive thanks hence to all those that helped us keep going by donating through our paypal page at
www.marconannini.com/help

would you buy it?

We've all seen plenty of sailing artwork and it seems like the usual response to buying it is, "Naaw, I don't think so..." Is this one you would plunk down $4,800 for? Jump on our Facebook page and weigh in...

on board

net loss

Leg 3, Day 8
30 January 2012
Amory Ross, MCM, PUMA Ocean Racing

Yesterday I said it was going to be a make or break 24 hours. It appears now – after a full 24 hours – that we were headed for a breaking. 

PUMA’s Mar Mostro pulled to within a few hundred yards of Groupama and Telefónica late yesterday, and we were able to match them for most of last night staying offshore while they chose the inshore route; at one point we might have been ahead. Then came the hostile confrontation with a submerged net early this morning and it cost us a good hour of progress and 10 or so miles on the charts. 

Far worse, while untangling the tangled we sat idle as the dwindling night winds vanished, and we now find ourselves struggling in a windless transition zone while the leaders sail away in the old breeze and the trailers catch up in the new. It is upsetting. We are now closer to CAMPER and Abu Dhabi than we are the other two. Like I said: make or break, and we broke. Not exactly our fault, but nonetheless, it’s another gut-wrenching setback of the likes we haven’t been able to avoid all race. Fortunately there is still a lot of track left, decisions to be made, and comebacks to be had. 

Everything else onboard remains relatively unchanged, or in some cases even enhanced. It has actually found a way to get hotter – shocking, and freeze-dried flatulence is at an all-time high. Several new challengers for supremacy have surfaced too. I’m proud to say that I’m a boy amongst men in that contest, but it’s true, there’s something in the air (or the food) that’s taking things to a new level. Ohhhh the wonders of live-aboard entertainment...and it’s only Day 8!  latest onboard video he

a day in the life

Some really impressive work from Jürg Kaufmann. This is why we love to watch.

extension dimension?

From photographer Chris Cameron/ETNZ. These are the wing extensions that will be required to be fitted for ACWS events when ACRM deems winds are too light for regular wing. All ACWS teams will be required to buy one. It will be a 4 meter tall extension to the wingsail that will add over 8 square meters of surface area to the wing. More here.

from the forum

pain and pleasure

Helluva first post...

I can already hear the incredulous chuckling when I say that I don't set out to get punished. Everyone who's sailed with me knows my dedication to safety and the level's to which I prepare for the worst. But trouble follows me. If there's a gale out there anywhere I'll find it and if there's not, one will come up just for my benefit.

Sure I've been known to set out with the intent of getting into bad weather, but it doesn't happen that way every time. This particular trip I'd intended to be a relaxing non committal trip. My wife Ying was looking to break free of the daily routine and I was anxious to see something other than a world of artificial crises.

We weren't looking for an adventure nor expecting one. The forecast for Christmas weekend 2011 was 15 to 25 knots winds rising to 20-30 on Christmas day, then easing offto 5 – 15 knots for Monday. It looked like a perfect forecast for a four day trip in the San Juans.

Friday started things off with a casual sail leaving Skyline Marina in Anacortes in our 36 foot sloop Korrigan heading out into Rosario Strait with views South to the Olympic Mountains and some sun breaks. I waxed poetic about how beautiful winter sailing was in this area and how people who only 'sailed' these waters in summer missed out on a lot of good times. We meandered out to Watmough Head at the tip of Lopez Island then turned back in the fading breeze for the little piece of mind called James Island.

Saturday we left James Island in a dreary rain and sailed slowly under jib alone in through Thatcher pass, Upright Channel and out to San Juan Channel. We chased a sun break out to Cattle Pass and were treated to a clearing sky, brilliant views, and pleasant casual afternoon sail back to Friday Harbor.

I didn't have a plan for Christmas day. In the back of my mind Sucia Island was going to be the days destination but getting out into the straights of Juan De Fuca was my real desire. I don't start to relax until out into the bigger spaces where a lee shore is far away and shelter lies in every direction.

We got started at a casual 9AM and lollygagged our way down to Turn Rock. The wind quickly built and the double reef quickly went in. The wind built some more and the jib was rolled up a bit. Since we had no commitment or plan it didn't occur to me to listen to the weather radio, regardless we were going out to somewhere.

Out into San Juan Channel proper it was blowing a solid 30 knots or more. Since my wind instrument gave up on life about a year ago I can only judge based on experience. And based on previous experiences, even though it wasn't particularly rough in San Juan Channel, the building breeze, the ebb tide, and the lack of necessity quickly led me to abandon my desire to go out through Cattle Pass. Something about not having to sail to windward in rough weather tends to lead me to not want to. Go figure? Read on.

the same, only different

Windseeker Yachts in Istanbul have built a bulb and carbon fin for Kevin Farrar’s Donovan GP 26 in New London, CT, and a new bulb for the 1995 MORC 30 footer “Galaxy Girl” (ex-Wolfpack). Want one for your ride?

classifieds

buy, sell, or hold

It kind of amazes us too, but the Sailing Anarchy Classified section really does work at helping people buy and sell boats, gear and services. Here's an e-mail that we received just today:

Could you remove our ad for the Antrim 27 (Bad Mojo). The boat is sold. Thanks again - we're 3 for 3 selling on the classifieds at SA...!

Looking for a Melges 32 or a Farr 36 or a Columbia 30/32, or maybe a Viper 830 or perhaps a 1D 35? Maybe a Beneteau 44.7 or 40.7 or 36.7 or a J/35 or a One Tonner? Get busy then! Oh and the Classifieds are brought to you by Rodgers Yacht Sales, who are the sole North American importer for X Yachts. Check them out as well!

take off

Southern Ocean here they come - the Classe 40's take off in the Global Ocean Race. Loads more pics by Ollie Deware right here.

on board

now we got a race

Leg 3, Day 7
29 January 2012
Amory Ross, MCM, PUMA

Today could be the make or break day of this leg. Several major weather features have helped in splitting the fleet, and we find ourselves in a position that could see us go either way. 

There are so many variables at work, so many unpredictable factors, that even the positive developments of the last 18 hours might prove irrelevant. We have shipping lanes, fishing boats, nets, floating debris, currents, winds, squalls, and last but not least: exclusion zones, to avoid. Between where we are now, and where we’ll be when we leave the Straits near Singapore, it’s a race course full of unexpected hazards. 

But alas, the Malacca Strait has been kind to us – not exactly the case for CAMPER, Abu Dhabi, and Sanya, who chose the inshore route and are struggling to move at all. We’ve managed to stay offshore, more in the middle of the Straits, where winds have been steady and strong, and we’re clinging to Telefónica and Groupama, both in line off our bow. If the three of us can keep powering downwind until an active sea breeze fills in tonight, we could escape the Straits unscathed, but if we park up somewhere there could be a huge fleet compression and race re-start sometime overnight. 

So today’s game is twofold: staying in touch with the leaders is paramount, but not at the cost of sailing ourselves out of “our” racecourse. Tom has his own game plan and there are several gybes required to make our way east for the race exclusion zone; the timing of those gybes is critical. With shifty winds and ominous clouds we don’t want to overstand and go too far, or go too early and get sucked into incoming weather to the north. 

cool or not cool?

Anarchist Readyabout82 (see Miss September in the 2012 Women of Sailing Anarchy calendar) was out SUP'ing in Hawaii and snapped this shot of the SC 50 Chasch Mer with its wooden house. Cool or not cool?

after math

A bad day in Greece - Seven large powerboats (70-105') are considered “total loss” and others might have been affected by fire residues and high temperatures. The real cause of fire is yet to be investigated by experts while the area of Alimos Marina in Athens is expected to be cleaned in the next couple days. - Anarchist GreekMelges 24.

rig wrap

This ought to about cover it... Thanks to anarchist Tranquilo. What rigs were not mentioned? Post here.

the biz

(now) born in the usa

Good news from Gunboat, who will be back this year with Sailing Anarchy as the title sponsor of our Multihull Anarchy forum.

Gov. Bev Perdue of North Carolina today announced that Gunboat Company, a maker of high-end sailboats, will locate a new shipyard in Dare County. The company plans to create 71 jobs and invest more than $1.8 million over the next three years in Wanchese. The project was made possible in part by a $213,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“My top priority is creating jobs,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our state’s top-notch workforce and job training programs create a strong business climate where manufacturers can thrive in a global market. We welcome Gunboat and wish them smooth sailing here in North Carolina.”

Gunboat Company produces world cruising sailing catamaran yachts that utilize advanced technology from round-the-world racing sailboats combined with luxurious interiors. Gunboat is a sister company of Gunboat International, which is headquartered in Rhode Island. The new facility will allow the company to increase production and meet the growing demand for Gunboats.

Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $27,093, plus benefits. The Dare County average annual wage is $24,128.

“After more than a decade of producing overseas in lower labor cost markets, we are bringing manufacturing home to the United States,” said Peter Johnstone, CEO of Gunboat. “Productivity and quality control are essential to our success. We spent months evaluating locations in various states along the Eastern seaboard. North Carolina stood clear above the rest.” Read on.

from the fringe

rocket science

Given our spate (two) of unintended power boat stories of late, we just couldn't resist this one, especially for the weekend. Kentucky? Go figure...

The 312-foot Delta Mariner, carrying space rocket parts for the United Launch Alliance, intended for a vehicle that was scheduled to be shot into orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, crashed right through the Eggner Ferry Bridge, which crosses the Kentucky Lake Reservoir.

Ya gotta check out the pics.

local knowledge

"i'll take this one"

We clicked on the photo and thought how nice and new and bright and shiny this thing is and how easy it would be, if one was in the market for something like this, to say, "I'll take it!". We can dream...

The biggest boat show in the world is held once a year in Dusseldorf, Germany and this year Farr  showed off the Farr 400 in a quiet corner of one of the 18 buildings. It takes a good 8 hours to  scratch the surface of the "Boot" and skip through at least every building once. Sometimes walking  a straight rhumb line between entrance and exit. All major sailing suppliers and yacht  manufacturers were represented. Too bad that I am still stuck at the Istanbul AIrport trying to make  it back to the U.S., but at least I hacked into a hotel network here and submitted something to the  sailing community.  - Anarchist Axel.

beautiful disaster

Carlo Borlenghi finds the beauty. 311 brings the music.

2012 us 2.4 mr mid-winter report

Miami, Florida
Day 1

It was an ideal day for sailing on Biscayne Bay. The wind was steady at the start of the first race at 10-12 from the north and stayed that way for the entire race. With oscillations of up to 25 degrees on either side of north, it became important to play all of the shifts. Allan led all the way around the course to take the win with Johnny and Megan fighting it out for second place right behind him. In race 2 the wind started to go light and would drop to 6-8 and then go back up to 10-12. The shifts were about the same in the beginning but then started to persistently go right and the RC moved to the right for the last leg. Allan again took the lead for this race with Charlie and Paul finishing second and third.

The wind continued to the right while the sailors took a short break and the RC moved the course. The third race saw the wind starting to build with a steady 12-14. Paul was leading Megan into the gate when his whiskerpole wouldn't retract and he had to drop out of the race. Megan went on to lead the fleet around the course for a first place finish. We saw some new blood up in the lead in this race with Thierry in second and Jerry in third. For the start of the fourth race we had the wind building to 14-16 and three boats were over early. Megan was one of those boats and she did not return to restart and retired at the top mark. Paul walked away from the fleet in the heavier wind with Allan and Thierry placing second and third. A number of boats dropped out of the race as the wind and waves became more difficult.

Pizza and wings were waiting for the sailors when they finished putting away their boats and got a chance to look over the results. Tomorrow's racing begins at 10:30 with a goal of four races.

Day 2
The day started out light and shifty early in the morning while we gathered our gear on the dock preparing to shove off to the race site. Several people asked if we'd be sailing and I assured them that we should see some wind shortly. Sure enough the wind started to fill in from the east and by the time we got to the race area it was blowing 6-8 knots.

The start of the first race saw the wind at about 8 from 105 degrees. We planned on the wind going right and were taken by surprise when it went back to 95 degrees and we had to move the gate for the second leg. We had several boats over early and all got back except Juan. Allan started the day out right again taking first and Paul and Johnny were second and third.

The next race again saw several boats over early with Megan and Juan not coming back. The wind picked up a bit to 10-12 and was looking like it wanted to go back to the right. Allan took first again as it started to look like he was getting pretty dialled in to the wind. Johnny took second with Jerry in third.

After a short break for all, we moved the weather mark back to the right and got race three started. We had one over early on this race and they returned so everyone was going to be scored! We saw another lefty and had to move the gate again! This was just getting old! There was a bit of a mixing in the results on this race with Paul taking first and Jerry second and Thierry third.

In the last race of the day We had four boats over early with only one returning. The wind stayed put for the entire race and built at times to 12-14. We saw the shifts oscillate about 30 degrees but it always returned to where we had it set so we didn't have to move the course. Allan took first place again with Megan in second and Jerry in third. Results

Thanks to Steve Olive PRO for running the Regatta and submitting this report and to Regatta Chair Mark Bryant for providing the Pizza and Wings.

Visit Bryant One Design

bow, wow, wow

While we're on the subject of reverse bows, here's a little something different from Anarchist John.

wrong way francais

This big Beneteau’s nav light placement is a symbol of the chaos coming to Strictly Sail Chicago with the Winter Anarchy party on Friday. Clean and Mer are in town with video and still cameras, so If you’re in the industry and have something interesting to share with the community, be sure to email Clean with your booth location and contact info so they can share the news.

Those who can’t make it, keep an eye out on the Winter Anarchy/Strictly Sail thread for all the product shots and interviews our team gets over the weekend.

We also heard that instead of two kegs, our pals at 312 are bringing seven. See you there!

being there

good lord

It was billed as the ultimate showdown between kiters and windsurfers with 3 events spanning 9 days on the sea of Cortez on southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. While the kiters showed up in numbers, the windsurfers still found ways to keep the bragging rights for another year. At the end of the day- we found we had more in common than what separates us and in hindsight, I’d say it was more a gathering of the tribes- where we all spoke the same language- wind!

After enduring what seemed like a windless (and snow less) fall and early winter in northern California- I made plans for my first trip to Baja. I hooked up with our local kiting crew who use the events as a testing ground to where they stand in the off season. The Heineken van made the trip down on Christmas eve packed with 6 sets of kiting gear & 4 people. Rock star siblings, Erika and Johnny almost made it only to be delayed on Christmas morning when their front differential fell out and their 4 wheel van quickly turned in a 2 wheel van. In Mexico- anything is possible and after a 6 hour delay and trading some beer for labor they were quickly back on their way. I arrived 2 weeks later for the first event skipping the road trip and flying directly into Cabo.

The Lord of the Winds Showdown in Los Barriles hooked up with the Travel Channel who was featuring the Sand Masters show at the same time. If you’ve never seen it, these guys create unbelievable works of art in the sand. Their final creation was a huge sand stage for the Lord of the Winds where Johnny ‘Pacifico’ Heineken was crowned Lord of the Winds after taking the long distance race. (Windsurfers 0: Kiters 1). Read on.