I am not the only one

  The next America's Cup will be sailed in 72 foot catamarans, that is a fact. Is it a good or bad decision? Time will tell. One thing that is certain, the America's Cup has always been controversial. 
  Here is an excerpt from an article by David  Hollom for Seahorse magazine.




I am sure I cannot be the only one who was overjoyed at the prospect of a
fresh start under new management for the America's Cup, but who views the
subsequently unfolding scene with more than a measure of disquiet. 

The main thrust of the defender proposals seem to be to make sailing a more
visually appealing sport for a television audience. Laudable in itself but
just by making more and faster action is not necessarily the way to achieve
that end. Some of the fastest sports are boring to watch and perhaps the
slowest sport in the world is the most absorbing. 

I am a self confessed motor racing nut but have to admit that mostly the
best part of a Grand Prix weekend is the build up and the expectations -
which only very rarely transpire. True, Grand Prix racing attracts a huge
worldwide audience but that is more a result of the hype and not very often
the action, which once the start is over is usually few and far between. By
contrast, golf must be one of the slowest games in the world and yet it also
attracts huge audiences worldwide. 

Can you imagine trying to sell golf to a TV executive from a different
planet who knew nothing about the game? 'Well it's like this. Two people hit
their ball down a field and if they are lucky, two or three minutes later
they have found it and hit it again but if you are unlucky it might take
several minutes more to find the balls. But don't worry, during this time
you can fill the screen with two players either walking down the field,
perhaps chatting or you can watch the hunt for the ball. 

'Ah, you may even cut to another pair of players looking for their balls or
even hitting them.' It doesn't sound too promising does it and yet golf is
one of the most absorbing games to watch and I have to say one of my
favourites to both watch and play.  

Now, our fictitious TV executive might well have said, 'That sounds rather
boring. To make it more exciting why don't we make the ball bigger, paint is
black and white and to speed things up, after we have hit it we will run
with it and instead of trying to put the ball down a tiny hole in a lawn,
which normally takes a long time, we will try and stuff it between two posts
which will be quick. 

'Oh, and of course having more people will make it much more exciting so
instead of two we will have twenty two and sod the cost of the wages we will
save something by getting rid of their sticks and they can kick the ball
instead.' But it wouldn't be golf. It would be another game that you either
love or hate or view with a measure of ambivalence. -- Read on:
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/10/0927/

catamarans vs. monohulls for the America's Cup

close racing upwind

close racing downwind

"C" class match racing

"C" class fleet start

After watching yesterday's performance by the women match racing it is hard to imagine that if they had been sailing catamarans could have been as close. As intense certainly, but even after having watched the "C" class cats a few weeks earlier, which are small and quite maneuvreable, they accelerate quickly with the wing sails; I am not yet ready to accede to the notion that match racing in catamarans would be as nimble. I will also agree that it is essentially uncharted territory. We have had a very long time to develop strategies in monohulls.
   We will not turn back the clock. The next America's Cup will be in catamarans. This is a decision that may well effect the future of sailing as we know it today.

ISAF Women's Match Racing Finals

Dr. Sam Murray and Jim Gubelmann

Finals: Macgregor & Barkow

close racing

enough coach boats?

sweet taste of victory

done and dusted

Thanks to my good friend Jimmy Gubelmann I watched the Women's Match Race finals. I have rarely seen such good sailing. The boat handling and tactics were superb. Lucy Macgregor was the best today. There was really very little separating any of the contestants. Truly a joy to watch.
     This event has been going on since Monday; the girls arriving while we were still finishing our 12 meter era reunion.

Gordon Ingate and the Australian women's team

I should add that this evening at the Herreshoff Marine Museum is a presentation of "Speed Dream" an attempt to build the world's fastest monohull. 7pm

nascar racing on the water

I will ask, Is this good for the sport? I love going fast but I do not like boats crashing.

July 22, 1974

Doug McKeish the boy who had been on the deck of Valiant

Valiant, july 22, 1974

Ted Turner and crew on Valiant

Jeff Neuberth, John Fisher, Richie Boyd

Valiant with a bone in her tail

In 1974, Valiant, which was Sparkman & Stephens mistake, too much bustle, too much displacement; was the only consolation for Mariner, designed by Britton Chance, as she was as slow.
   Courageous was the fastest boat but not as well sailed as Intrepid with Gerry Driscoll as the helm. The selection committee could not choose an old boat (Intrepid)
  The entire story made all the more fun by last weekend's festivities. We could all reminisce about the glorious past. We did have fun, not every day, but it was good.
    Doug McKeish, was a young boy, and when the travel lift strap broke, Valiant fell and that sent Doug flying. I believe the photo was taken by Norris D. Hoyt.
   Almost everyone in these photos came back in 1977 to finish what they could not in 1974.
   Jeff Neuberth was our starboard tailer on Independence, and the Project Manager for the Courageous/Independence Syndicate. He was forced to choose; he was burning the candle at both ends to keep up (despite being a brilliant organizer). One day he was quite literally asleep in the tailer's pit when we went to tack.
   Jeff did much of the organizing for the reunion event, keeping a low profile as usual.

The America's Cup Hall of Fame Enigma

stephen lirakis and gerry driscoll 1979

 I am pursuing a thread I started concerning inductees of the America's Cup Hall of Fame. Why isn't this man (Gerry Driscoll) already in the Hall? He never defended the Cup, but his contributions are evident, starting in 1964 through 1979.
    Additionally, the four young inductees on Saturday night were part of the tight 5. I am certain they were deserving, however the crew of "Intrepid" in 1974 made such a strong and profound contribution to the defense of the Cup, sailing a slower boat above it's ability, against all odds. They merit acknowledgment.

Valiant 1974

Valiant in the travel lift at Newport shipyard

This is a photograph I have searched for far and wide. I asked AP, the Newport Daily News, Providence Journal, New York Times. Each of them, if they responded at all, "no such photo".
  I was beginning to doubt my own memory. I asked during this past weekend and found the individual who had been on the deck when Valiant fell. But It was Peter Zendt who had the photo and kindly allowed me to scan it.  The strap broke on the lift, mercifully over the water. the backstay was not attached, this was normal procedure when lifting a boat. When she fell the mast must have really whipped about.
   My memory has proved to be intact.

LAST DAY

Gary Jobson,halsey Herreshoff, Ted Turner, Tom Whidden, Bill Ficker, Ted hood

Gary Jobson, Harold Cudmore, Gordon Ingate, Pelle Petterson, Peter DeSavary, Syd Fisher, John Savage

Syd Fisher, John Savage, Bruno Trouble

Sunday Brunch, the end of the weekend and the event. The panel discussion despite the seeming formality was interesting as it was revealing. As with so many things in life one has to be willing to listen. For me the most interesting to speak was Pelle Petterson, who told how he arrived at the America's Cup in a simple quiet way.
   But each of the panelists had something to say. I have sailed with or known each of them for many years and there is still always another piece of the puzzle revealed.
    A full to the brim weekend which I said is bittersweet as I was delighted to see everyone, and the simultaneous knowledge that for many reasons I will never see many of them ever again.  I know them not just in the context of the America's Cup, but many, many other sailing events.
  

JEFF NEUBERTH WINS A ROLEX

jeff neuberth wins a rolex

re-visiting the america's cup

peter bowker, ted turner, robbie doyle

starting line 

dennis connor

hans isbrandsen trimming the spinnaker

Today was a full day, starting with breakfast talks about the past, present and future of the America's Cup. Followed by boat assignments for the "legends" race; after a general recall, "Freedom" with Dennis Connor won the next start and the race.
    The America's Cup Hall of Fame took place in the evening inducting 6, five of which were from the "new" generation of America's Cup sailors. While I am certain they were all deserving; I think the selection committee should have considered the weekend and chosen from the 12 meter era 1958-1987.
  tomorrow, Sunday is the last day of the event and another panel discussion is scheduled before we all go our separate ways; which is the reason this weekend took particular importance for me. I am not likely to see many of these people ever again.

THE TWELVE METER REUNION CLAMBAKE

COCKTAILS ON THE LAWN

DINNER UNDER THE TENT

JIM CALDWELL AND RICH DUMOULIN

If I had to choose a photo to define the reason for the weekend it would be the photo of Jim and Rich. This is the point of the weekend. If I have done my job well the picture tells the story.
    Quite beyond the fact of the weekend here are two shipmates with whom I would sail anywhere anytime. I have much to be happy about and this is one of them, to count them as friends and share memories with them.
   But there are so many, friends and memories. I choose not to sail this weekend for exactly this reason, it's about the people

con findlay, paul fuchs, ted turner & elizabeth

12 METER ERA RE-UNION

GARY JOBSON, DAVID ELWELL,TED TURNER,BILL FICKER,STEVE VAN DYKE

PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE NEWPORT BOAT SHOW

GORDON INGATE

PETER WILSON,STEVE VAN DYKE, GORDON INGATE

UNDER THE TENT AT THE NYYC

The afternoon started with a panel discussion with Bill Ficker, Ted Turner, Steve Van Dyke,Gordon Ingate, David Elwell and Gary Jobson.
    Ted admitted he was drunk for the debrief after the 1977 America's Cup and apologized to Bill Ficker who had moderated the event.
  Gordon Ingate stole the show with his shirt the read:"Daughters of America, Lock up Your Mothers" and his insistence that the foul between "Gretel II" and "Intrepid" which had been decided in Intrepid's favor in 1970, was misguided justice and deserved to be reopened. Dev Barker who had been on the Jury in 1970, was in the crowd and stated that the Australians were good sailors but had never learned the racing rules. This discussion continued after the panel disbanded and may unravel the harmony between the United States and Australia.
   The evening continued under a tent, a good thing as the rain did come, with a vengeance.
I saw so many people that I had not seen in such a long time. Don't misunderstand my words, but this weekend is really not about the sailing; at least not for me.

12 meter era re-union, first night

dinner in the 12 meter yacht club, candy store

max awarding trophies 30 years late

The re-union does not start until tomorrow. Thanks to Ted Turner, some of us who had sailed with him on 12 meters and other boats started early telling the stories that only those of us who were there could confirm or deny.
   Tomorrow night 400 are expected. can't wait to see everyone.

UNBOLTING THE CUP

intrepid & courageous both two time defenders

unbolting the cup marble house september 1983

Tomorrow is the start of the twelve meter north american championship followed by the 12 meter era re-union.
   We sailed with 11 crew, today the boats are sailed with 17.  I do not remember being overtaxed. The normal rush turning corners.
  I look forward to seeing those I sailed with and against.

Joe Cooper, wishing him good health and good luck

I will l be leaving Hood at the end of October.  Most folks that hear this more or less want to know what might motivate the Crazy Aussie Sailor to branch out….?

What else is out there that could grab all the passion he has for boats and sailing….?

One word

Health (mine and others)

It is a long story but the short version is that I will be partners in a wellness and nutrition club in Middletown.

The products we use in our Club are excellent- It is very high quality nutrition. Short version is basically a nutrition shake as the core product with many other supporting products in the lineup. Net result is excellent nutrition, weight loss, maintenance or gain, as needed.

I have found the products to be excellent when on the road, pressed for time, too knackered to do anything about dinner after a long drive back from somewhere and orders of magnitude preferable to any fast food and most slow food too for that matter.

In terms of easy good nutrition for sailors, on the NEST race I used the shakes in 2 thermos jugs plus the hydrating drinks; I had them in the cockpit tail bags I would just slurp away on them during the 18 hours of the race and in addition to some bars they have too and after NO sleep, I felt great. Tired but just fine, no sugar rush (Snickers or Oreos) headache or coffee jitters or coffee mouth as is normal after an all-nighter…

I have been using the products for 18 months and signed up to be a distributor about a year ago and finely really committed to changing gigs about 6 weeks ago.

In this time I have lost about 15 lbs, about 4 inches of waist (so I am now down to a svelte 240 (yester day went under 240 for the first time in living memory…) from pushing a lumbering 260

I will be operating out of the Club on west main rd., opposite the Hess station/Staples. We are called “The Daily Shake” and we are on the east side of WMR, (you drive past us every time you go to NEB/Hinckley) in the small strip with the China Star Chinese, the Bike Shop, and the ever revolving Verizon shop. Until the end of October I will be here from 0800-1000, then after wards more, regular day time hours 3-4 days a week, particulars to come.

I invite you to come and visit us and see what is going on both in terms of really excellent nutrition in general and especially for sailing..

    I have know Joe Cooper for a long time now. I seldom see him, but I know if he believes in this product it must be good.

34th America's cup

IT'S CATAMARANS AND WING SAILS

    As rumored the next America's Cup will be contended in 72 foot catamarans with solid sails, in 2013. the where will be announced in december.  I would think that it is likely that the venue will be in Europe, Valencia already has the infrastructure, purpose built. If San Francisco does not grab the opportunity to re vitalize the waterfront and attract the Cup it will be a shame.

Carina and the NYYC Cup 1969

  This is a story that was brought back to memory by the thought that Ted Turner has chartered "American Eagle" for the 12 meter re-union in a few days.
  In 1969 racing on "Carina" in Cowes (Carina was part of the American Admiral's Cup Team) We were racing a non-Admiral's Cup race the Nab tower race. We did very well; not first, but well placed. We were ahead of "American Eagle" most of the course.
  The following morning motoring out to the start of a race that did count for the team, a launch from the Royal yacht Squadron came along side with a message for Dick Nye.  It was an invitation to the Castle to receive the New York Yacht Club Cup, awarded to the first NYYC boat to finish.  Now, we had done well, however another NYYC boat had finished ahead of us. Dick hastily penned a note indicating such and handed it ti the launch.
    We had to prepare for our race and anyone who has ever sailed a Cowes week knows it is chaotic with so many boats milling about on or near the starting line. The launch comes along side again with the message "you will attend"  Here I must explain that Dick Nye and "Carina" were not only legend in English waters but adored.   They simply preferred to award the trophy to Dick and not to the other skipper. Dick went and was awarded the trophy.

American Eagle behind Carina

Crusade at the Nab

Royal Yacht Squadron

looking to September 16

Looking back, when we were young

Johan and Gerry Driscoll

Courageous 1974

French crew

Independence 1977

Liberty 1983 7th race

Magic, smallest 12

Mariner 1974

Valiant 1974

Courageous & Independence 1977 wsl on rope