An offshore breeze at times looked promising but it never quite mustered enough strength to spread out to sea to reach the start area. But the difference in the direction of that breeze and the direction of the very gentle air in which the Race Committee sat was considered too great for a fair race.
It proved a frustrating day for all on the waters off Valencia, despite tantalizing glimpses of the fantastic technology which promises so much. Everything was in place and operating well for the planned 1000hrs countdown to the historic match up. Live TV streaming from the race course on the internet, for the first time in the America’s Cup, complemented by Virtual Eye 3-D imaging worked well. But the postponement was signaled at 0955hrs.
The different winds ranged between 2 knots and 13 knots, and at times there was 100 degrees of variance between the mean wind direction at the committee boat and the wind direction at the proposed turning buoy. At best there was around 40 degrees of difference.
For the prescribed 20 miles upwind leg the Race Committee need a strong measure of confidence that there will not be a significant wind shift after the start to ensure a fair race.
The adversaries had left their respective bases to huge acclaim in the early morning, between 6.30am and 07.00 am. A Hollywood style production for the BMW ORACLE Racing team sent pulses racing as the Challenger team set off into the very early darkness, while soundtrack to the Defender, Alinghi 5’s departure was fervent alpine cowbells and loud air horns.
Returning after the postponement both multihulls were making around 15knots in just 5 knots in wind.
Race 1 is now rescheduled for Wednesday 10th with the time gun due at 1000hrs.
I was hoping to watch a quick sailboat race this morning before I took off for the office, but it doesn't look like that will happen. BMW Oracle and Alinghy are sitting 6 miles off the Valencia shore with no wind. A damn postponement. Crap! They may get a race off, but it will be long after I head out for downtown. DAMN IT! At the time of this post, the first race between BMW Oracle and Alinghi will have been in postponement for nearly three hours. What a disappointment for those of us that have waited so patiently to get this battle out on the water. I'm sure there is no one more disappointed than the crews of each boat.
The last report received indicated a steady 12 knot breeze at the weathermark. But, when you consider the distance --20 miles away-- that doesn't help much at the starting area. Time will tell.
Anyway, you’ll be able to follow the action from your computer at AmericasCup.Com, a variety of other Euro Cable channels, and even more recently, ESPN. The huge sports media provider will have live coverage from its virtual sports channel at ESPN360.Com. Gary Jobson will be providing commentary for the two day event (not expecting to need a third day- I WANT MY CUP BACK!), and I’m sure Gary and the boys will provide a great more substance than just the cup coverage. That is if you like dumb commercials. You can learn more at ESPN360.Com, but I think I’ll stay with coverage at AmericasCup.Com.
The Warnings Signals for each of the events are scheduled for 10:00 am Valencia time. Set your alarms (and your coffee pots) to adjustment for local time if you want to watch the event live.
The first race is set to be a Windward-Leeward course with 20 mile legs. The second race will be an Equilateral Triangle course with 39 mile legs (Hey Ernesto, corner cutting). And if needed, the third race will be a carbon copy of the first. Windward-Leeward, 20 mile legs. More to come...
I wish I had found this site earlier, but another great place on the web for America’s Cup news is, well, believe it or not, CupInfo.Com. They provide great insight to what is going on, such as comments from James Spithill’s comments after getting caught sailing BOR in 40 knot winds. Check it out at CupInfo.Com!
Kirk Out!
A past feature that always seemed to be pretty popular as a simple resource was the “Strictly Sailing Clubs” page. Well, as the site has gone through changes in its look and feel, the “Clubs” page, as well as a few others, seemed to disappear. So, back by popular demand, I have breathed a bit of new life into that old page and given it a bit more functionality. It is now easier manage and navigate. There is a new button here on the home page, or you can go there now by clicking here.
Problem is it still isn’t as comprehensive as it could be. As I come across new clubs they will certainly get added in. But, if you do not see your club listed, be sure to shoot me an email and we will certainly get it added. So, help me grow and expand the club listings.
We are now three week out before BMW Oracle (BMO) and Alinghi face off in Valencia to see who will take home my America's Cup. Both boats are now in Spain set up in different locations and tweaking the final adjustments before they face off on Febrauary 8th. Hopefully, it will be all over soon and we can bring the cup home, where it belongs.
We're not there yet, though. With the likes of Ernesto Bertarelli running around, BMO's legal team will have to put in overtime as there is still plenty of time for the Alinghi camp to pull some kind of last minute shenanigans. Till then, Sail.TV has some good footage of both boats and worth seeing. The footage of BMO is pre-wing but impressive never the less. Check it out at www.Sail.TV.
When it comes to sailboats, the different systems a skipper must keep a vigilant eye on are numerous. Without question, this requirement far exceeds that of the average motor boat. Simply put, sailboats are more complicated. For the sailor, this needs no further explanation. However, sometimes in the course of using and enjoying our boats, some of the simplest systems may get overlooked; taken for granted even. It's easy enough to do, but can be very bad. Trust me.
I could tell you how I neglected basic engine maintenance, allowing the impeller in my diesel to actually explode causing a near nuclear meltdown of my iron genny. No, no, no. I'm not talking about anything that irresponsible. That episode was just pure stupidity and deserves an article of its own. Perhaps another time.
No, I'm talking about something much less dramatic, rather boring actually. There is nothing exciting about the system I'm referring to. As a matter of fact, unless there is something to draw your attention to them, chances are, you wouldn't give them a passing thought. I can't tell you how many times I've boarded my own boat and never given them a glance. Part of the problem is, there isn't anything sexy about them. They could, however, be what some dreams or, should I say, nightmares are made of.
I'm talking about scuppers. Yeah that's right, scuppers. See, I told you they weren't sexy. Even a smoking hot model would have a difficult time drawing a lot of attention to those little cockpit sucking rascals. But, I'd be willing to watch, if one wanted to give it a go. OK, OK, let's try and stay on point here.
The fact is, if you spend any time at all around marinas you have most likely seen neglected boats with cockpits full of water due to filthy, clogged-up scuppers. I can't tell you how many cockpits I've drained by clearing funky scuppers. And some skippers wonder why I help myself to their beer without asking.
Anyway, in this case I'm not talking about a knuckleheaded skipper. I'm talking about a well respected sailor that cares for his boats with meticulous detail. He, like so many of us, never gave his scuppers much of a second thought. Why should he, they always appeared to be fine.
I got the call as I was driving home in what was turning into a welcomed three day deluge of rain. I was less than a mile from the house when I answered the phone. It was the wife of a sailing. She told me her husband was at the sailing club, tending to a boat of a mutual friend. The boat was sinking.
I had just left the club a short time earlier. Luckily, I only live a few miles away, so turning around, I would be there in less than seven minutes.
When I got there, most of the hard work had already been done. My friend was out of breath and ready for a beer. I popped a top and handed him a cold one (I carry such a cooler with me most times to cover just such emergencies). Between sips, he told me the details.
He had come to check on his own boat. Only intended to be there 5-10 minutes tops, when he noticed our friends boat riding low in the water. The scuppers had become clogged and filled the cockpit. The only place the extra rain could go was into the cabin by way of the companionway. Luckily, there was no need for bolt cutters, the cabin hatch was unlocked. The cabin had filled to above the settees. Everything was wet. It was an ugly sight.
He searched until he found a Thirst Mate pump and went straight to works. He was exhausted, and he had every right to be. I can't even image how many gallons of water might have been in the cabin, but at about 6 strokes per gallon...you do the math. I was just glad to get there when I did, as he was finishing.
As we sat there in the cockpit in the pouring rain. I popped another for the two of us. Then I noticed the cockpit was still filling up with water. As I stared at the full scuppers with a confused look on my face, he gave me the rest of the details.
The scuppers were still clogged. And that was the other thing, they looked fine when he got there. It wasn't as if they had filled with leaves and muck, the clog was down deep. The through hulls were open but he couldn't get the scuppers to clear. He had tried virtually everything to open them up with no luck, so he had to pump the cockpit clear too.
So we continued to try and clear the scuppers every way possible and then some. Then, we tried the same ideas again. The bends in the drain hose and the through hulls just wouldn't provide enough clearance to fish anything through to pop the clog. Then, we got smart. We used the Thirsty Mate. We placed it directly over the scupper hole and pumped like crazy. It did the trick. The suction action pulled the soft clog up and over the side. We did the same to the other. Success!
The huge lesson here is really a simple one. While some of the necessary systems on our boats lack a certain sex appeal, they still deserve a bit of attention from time to time. While most of us have spent more than enough unwelcome time on our boats while it rains, it isn't something most of us seek to do. That being the case, we rarely get to see our scuppers when they are at their best, or more importantly, at their worst. So it would probably behoove us to fill a bucket and pour a little water in the cockpit from time to time. All of a sudden, it just sounds like a good idea.
I just received word that the Pearson 26 advertised as a featured boat here at Strictly Sailing has been sold. As the editor of Strictly Sailing I can tell you her new owner is a lucky one.
A side from the fact the P26 is well known for its bullet proof construction, fine sailing qualities, and overwhelming success as a production boat, this particular boat has qualities which, for whatever reason, exceed the normal expectations of its owner. I know, in another time, she used to be mine.
With many boats, the relationship that builds between the vessel and skipper is one of Love-Hate. That was never the case with me and Mental Floss. Of all the boats I've ever owned, she was my first love in sailing. The time we spent together was exceptional. This boat and I both had a common interest, we loved to sail and race. In light air she is a pleasure. If handled well, in the heavy stuff she is a well behaved animal and guardian angel--never once an anxious moment.
When it was time to let her go, finding the right new skipper wasn't easy. I turned away several potential buyers actually chasing one knucklehead off the dock because he was just an ass. Then it happened, Mental Floss found Sam and vice versa.
Selling Mental Floss to Sam was easy. I could tell early on he would care. Then during her sea trials in a solid 18-20 knot breeze, she was a perfect example of how a boat should behave with the proper sail plan. It was a great day of sailing, but with her that was always the case. But with him at the helm, the look in his eye was revealing. This was the guy.
Once Sam took possession, he made her even better. He took a great boat and cosmetically made her better than knew. The math is easy, but it is hard to believe she will soon be turning 37 years old. She is an old boat still in her prime.
Now, it was Sam's turn to find a new skipper, and he reports that he's been successful. He assures me that the boat is in good hands and on its way to Percy Priest Lake in Tennessee. She should be happy there.
So in closing I would say to those that have Mental Floss now, always be a skipper to her, never an owner--there is a difference. If you do that, she will take better care of you than you probably deserve.
With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner some areas are getting geared up for some boat show action. There is the Atlanta Boat Show to be held on January 13th-17th, The Charleston Boat Show later in the month on January 22nd-24th, and the Savannah Boat Show to be held February 26th-28th. However, it appears at this point sailboat dealers will again be a bit thin in attendance. It will be another Stinkpotpalooza. Anything can change; however, after taking a cursory look at attendees, sailboat dealers and manufacturers are not signing up to show off their goods.
Even at the Charleston Boat Show, home to Beneteau USA and American Sailboats, those lines have yet to show up on their list of attendees. And in Savannah, I would at least expect the big Catalina dealer Dunbar from Brunswick, GA to have already signed up, but nope. Thus far, only in Atlanta can you find a blow boat listed as planning to show up, and that would be Charleston's own American Sailboats. I find that a bit odd. And oh, I almost forgot, they also list Porta-Boat as a sailboat attendee, but that is a stretch and a huge one at that.
On a personal note, chances are you never knew Deion, but he was a part of your Strictly Sailing Clan for the more than 14 years and was a pretty good boat dog as well. He loved coming to the marina and boat, just to hang out and have a few beers. Without question, he was as good a dog as you could ever hope for. He was even able to convinced me that little gay lap dogs are pretty damn cool, as long as you don't dress them up, put ribbons in their hair, and make them look ridiculous.
His siblings never got the chance to live a real dog's life. They never once left the house without their hair done and fairy little outfits. And they damn sure never had a chance to enjoyed the pleasure of eating grass and puking. Deion wasn't that kind of Shitzu. He's puked more than his fair share of grass in his day.
Anyway, at about 2:00 AM this past Sunday he got the bride and I out of bed and we spent the next 42 minutes saying good-bye. He will be missed.
There seems to have been a lot of interest and competition to see who can be the youngest somebody to circumnavigate the world. Most recently we have heard of 16 year old Jessica Watson who is currently still out there. She just recently completed 5000 nautical miles of her adventure and entered into, but not properly initiated, the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep" by crossing the Equator.
There has also been a lot of attention given to Zac Sunderland who recently completed his round the world adventure, as did Mike Perham. And now enters Abby Sunderland, little sister to Zac. I guess big brother has gotten a bit too much attention and now she wants her bid at a little fame. It is currently being reported that she is on her way to to pick up the boat she will make her passage in. Read more about that here.
But, while these well financed and properly outfitted youngsters are getting loads of attention (Thank you Al Gore for the Internet), we shouldn't forget about Robin Lee Graham. Back in 1965 he set out to do the same thing at the age of 16. But instead of having the comforts of a big old cruiser, or an ocean sportboat, he set out in a 24 foot Lapworth sloop. A well founded boat for sure, but a guaranteed ass whipping on a circumnavigation. The adventure became a book and later on a movie, Dove.
Now there is a lot of controversy about who is the youngest this and who is the youngest that, but I don't care about any of that. I just think it is very cool that, in an age where we over protect our children, we still have kids and parents out there that are willing to put it all on the line to achieve what most of us only dream of. Go boys and girls, live!
The Open 60 racing yacht Kingdom of Bahrain and its British crew detained by Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The boat was en route to Dubai in preparation for the 360 mile offshore Dubai-Muscat race when it allegedly drifted a few hundred yard into Iranian waters. It's been reported that the crew is being well treated. We hope the best for the crew. However, being held since last Wednesday removes any hope of a speedy release. Read More.
