Monday, September 28, 2009

26 years ago in 12 meter history

The New York Yacht Club lost the America's Cup 26 years ago this September. Change is always troubling for anyone. I have always regarded this event as: the right thing happened for all the wrong reasons.
Change is inevitable, we all know, but all resist nonetheless. This was one of those occasions. It breathed new life into the Cup life.




what's next for six meters in Newport?

What will happen next season with the six meter class in Newport? Will it wither? Will it limp along with a few boats?Will it flourish; with some boats choosing to remain here and race?
Seattle has long been a stronghold of Six Meter sailing; with an active class. Europe has and will likely remain the most active environment for six and eight meters as well.
The survival of any class depends on the strength and commitment of the people involved.



Sunday, September 27, 2009

12 meter prize giving

A rainy day in Newport,for the awarding of prizes for the 12 meter world championship as well as the north american championship. The final day of the" legends" forum. full of recognizable faces of those who have contributed not only to the America's cup but sailing as a whole.
Next week the twelve meters will sail in North Harbor on the Hudson in New York City, for those who were not able to view them sailing here in Newport.


Saturday, September 26, 2009

12 meter world championship final day



The last day of racing was "outside" in a very shifty day with the wind never more than 8 knots on strength. It proved to be trying for all the teams.
The most fun was the Candy Store Cup in which all the boats started together and raced to the finish off Bannisters Wharf.



Wednesday, September 23, 2009

12 meter world championship day one


The first day of racing started almost on time, the wind at 6-8 knots at 11 am, building to 15-18 knots in the afternoon with relatively flat seas. The racing was tight, in some cases three boats crossing the line overlapped. Three races were completed, which always makes a race committee happy, creating a cushion in the event of bad weather.
Once more I am indebted to my good friend Jimmy Gubelmann for inviting me out to watch the racing.


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

12 meter world championship

Tomorrow is the first day of racing for the 2009 world championship for 12 meters. Unfortunately there are no boats from outside the United States; in fact all the boats are from Newport. The 12 meter class is an ISAF class and guided by the regulations of ISAF. It is unfortunate that participation is down,it may give the winner a sense of a hollow victory.



Saturday, September 19, 2009

1st NYYC Invitational Cup

Invited out on Jimmy Gubelmann's lovely Huckins "Mahubas" to watch the final day of racing for the swan 42 club boats. 19 countries represented. close sailing; the NYYC entry Phil Lotz won by sailing very consistently.
The wind has been out of the north more days in a row than I can remember.
I was also struck by the fact that the race committee was much kinder with this fleet despite a number of general recalls, no black flags.


Saturday, September 12, 2009

six meter world championships final day

This Nor' Easter just will not move away. Another day of racing with NE winds, at least in or near our wind range.
We only had one race although two were scheduled.
I hope the people who travelled so far to come to Newport enjoyed themselves.
I have never in my life sailed a regatta where all but one start was under a black flag.
"Madcap" ended the regatta in third place in our division, probably about where we should be in the conditions in which we sailed.



Friday, September 11, 2009

six meter world championships day four

The wind is still in the north east 14-20 knots. Yesterday we nearly tore the gooseneck off the mast. This morning the solution was underway, a bronze strap drilled and tapped around the mast.
Two more races today, the wind still in the northeast and blowing 14-18 knots. Thankfully we didn't break anything today.
If we had an MVP award it would go to George Cochran and Jonathan Hough, we would not have made it to the starting line without their efforts.


Thursday, September 10, 2009

six meter world championships day three

Yesterday we broke our spinnaker pole and worked the vang attachment too hard. Having solved those problems. Today we still had a lot of wind although not as much as yesterday, we were working the gooseneck hard and the chocks at the mast partners came loose.This allowed the mast to twist against the gooseneck making the problem worse. Had it not been for the seizing of spectra we might not have finished the day's racing.
We had two races and after several general recalls we finally started under a black flag.
We are currently in third place in our division. Wishing for lighter air, as the boat was designed for Long Island Sound.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

6 meter world championships day two

The second day of the world's opened with wind. 18-25 knots from the NE. There was a delay but finally started a race between Gould Island and Prudence Island. There were a number of breakdowns. We broke our spinnaker pole. Stout Scout hull # 1 has beaten a few boats so far; not bad for a boat over 100 years old.


Tuesday, September 8, 2009

SIX METER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Today was the first day of racing for the six meter world championships. we started in two divisions, the moderns and the classic and vintage boats. We were not able to start a race until 3:45 pm as the wind never filled and settled. it moved from north to SSE at 5-7 knots.
We finished second in our division today.

six meter north american championship

I have been informed that we finished second in our division for the series.

Monday, September 7, 2009

6 meter north american championship final day

Sunday, brought a pressure driven NNE wind 12-18 knots. In the words of the English it was "snakes and ladders" Despite the wind strength of the wind it was very shifty and puffy.
I the final race of the day we set up for a leeward start which looked favored, and in the final 10 seconds it was clear we would not be able to cross the line on starboard, we tacked and wove our way across the fleet on port. This took us to the right side of the course, while our plan had been to play the left.
Bill Green, brought "Nancy" from England. Bill is from San Francisco but has lived and worked for the last 40 years in England. We first met during the 1968 Trans-atlantic race to Travemunde.
In our division, classic yachts, "Totem" showed good speed and very strong tactics.
Today is the annual meeting for the Six Meter class and tomorrow the World Championship starts.