Messing About In Sailboats

Poll Results: Most people think that the America's Cup has been surpassed

According to readers of this blog, nearly half feel that the America's Cup has lost its premiere position to other events (e.g. VOR, LV Cup, etc). A few feel that it was always over-rated. A third feel that it will either reclaim its past glory or still is and always will be the pinnacle of the sport.

Big caveat! This is based on less than 50 responses so its more of a straw poll than a statistically robust survey. That said the results as they stand have remained pretty much unchanged since the poll started.

I would love to hear comments on this. Polls are pretty good at reflecting the sentiment of a moment. They don't tell you much about why people responded the way they did. My assumption is that the interminable squabble between Larry and Ernie has done the damage. It may also be that people have felt this for a long time and that the recent fiasco just exacerbates the sentiment.

If they ever get on the water, I will re-run the poll and see if the sentiment has changed.

I personally hope that they have an exciting DOG race. Frankly AC or no AC seeing the monster tri vs the giganticat match-racing will be incredible to watch (hopefully). I then hope that they put this nonsense behind them and the winner can go on to hold an AC like Valencia which in my view was outstanding.

Thoughts anyone?

Birthday Firsts

Today was a double first. It being my birthday I have never sailed on my birthday not I have ever swum in the Atlantic on this day. I was able to break both milestones.

We had a frostbite race at the club in JY 15s. I crewed for Dave Duquette a much more able helm than I would have been. Over a series of short races we were doing OK. Either getting second or last but still in with a chance. We were starting to get the hang of it, when we capsized. Neither of us are exactly sure why this happened. Fortunately, we were both able to hop over onto the hull as it went over and stayed dry. 

The RC boat rescued us and then helped us get the boat back up and we kept on racing. I was starting to get cocky. On a downwind leg, I was up on the bow holding out the jib to sail wing-on-wing. It was going well until we gibed. When I have windsurfed or sailed a laser I have found that I could gibe and step round the mast we went about. For some reason I got it into my heard that I could do the same on a JY15. To be clear, you can't. Unfortunately, I did not get a hold of the mast. The boat went one way and I went plop the other.

The water was not quite as cold as I imagined but it was no tropical day at the beach either. The Western end of Raritan Bay is no St Barths. I swam to the RC boat which was close by and then sailed back for a hot shower and dry clothes.

I proclaimed to my friend Ethan that I did two firsts. He was quick to point out that I never got better than a second. Spoilsport!

Yikes. That's a damn big bird!

catagabbiano, originally uploaded by PaolaPy.

I hate to have to clean up after....you know.

Chilling Video of British couple captured by Somali pirates

Mike Taylor of Timmynocky shared a link to an article on Yachtpals about the Chandlers, the British couple captured by pirates last month. It's chilling. They are clearly in great distress but keeping a brave face.We obviously all thinking about you and hoping for your safe release. You can read the full article here

Photos from Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice - Azzura

Photos c/o of Carlo Borlenghi and Stefano Gattini/AZZURRA

 

Song For Friday: Flight of the Conchords - Issues

A counterpoint to getting a little too serious last week.

Congratulations Nick

Nick Jaffe and his 1972 26 ft Contessa, Constellaton did it. Nick's goal was to sail from Europe back home to Australia and he did it, completing the voyage in 743 days. When he started Nick had little sailing experience and very little money.

He arrived back in Oz today (or yesterday depending on where you are). You can read more about his landfall here.

Congats Nick. You have an inspiring story.

St Barths Bucket Race

35 stunning superyachts including Maltese Falcon racing round St Barths.

Sailing Photo Of The Day - 49ers on Draycote Water

IMG_0519, originally uploaded by chrisgandy2001.

Tragic Irony

Harold Sturm sent me this photo he took in West Palm Beach after either Hurricane Francis or Jeanne. You have to feel for the owner but talk about irony! Thanks Harold

Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice - Azzura

c/o Stefano Gattini/AZZURRA

Sailing Photo Of The Day - Round the Island Race 2009: view from port bow

Round the Island Race 2009: view from port bow, originally uploaded by Stringendo.

Happy Friday

, originally uploaded by lightups.

And so endeth the week!

Song For Friday: tcktck - Beds Are Burning

I went quiet for a while on Song For Friday as I lost inspiration. This one got my attention.

If you haven't heard about it, I strongly suggest you check out tcktck and timeforclimatejustice.org, the campaign for climate justice lead by Kofi Annan. The campaign's aim is to get people like you and me to show our support for climate justice.  Basically, the environmental damage created by us in the developed world is hurting people in the emerging world most. With the Copenhagen Summit on December 7th, the aim is to send a message to world leaders that to affect change.

As part of the campaign they created a video a la "Feed The World" remaking Midnight Oil's Beds Are Burning. If you like this and believe that this is important, spread the word! So far close to 3.5 million have signed up.

Sailing Photo Of The Day - Boomerang

Boomerang, Lee Bow View, originally uploaded by Larry Moran.

Remember

Pretty Damn Cool. BOR under sail with the new mast

Poll: How has the bickering between Larry and Ernie affected the Americas Cup?

The ongoing litigation between Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli drags on. This article in last Wednesday's New York Times sums up the latest fiasco.  Arguably the last AC in Valencia was the best ever but since then it's just become depressing.

There are so many issues at hand. Is the Deed of Gift out of date in today's sporting world or are its ambiguities and resulting arguments part of what makes the Americas Cup special? Is the DOG race a farce or is it part of what makes the Cup different? Was Larry Ellison right to challenge Alinghi or would it have been better to accept Bertarelli's plan?

The big question is this: Is this very public argument irreparably undermining the Americas Cup? In the last few weeks I have heard a number of sources talk about other events taking over the mantle of premiere prize in sailing like the Volvo Ocean Race or the recent New York Yacht Club Invitational regattas.

Let me know what you think by answering the poll to the left or leaving a comments below?

Sailing Photo Of The Day - Vintage 18s

Vintage 18s, originally uploaded by iansand.

Happy Friday

gd morning world, originally uploaded by :: tujuhjiwa : changing rules.