Brought to you by YachtsandCruisers.com with the support of OC Events, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Editorials
Paul Henderson, past President, ISAF:

Because I am a dinghy sailor I was never really involved in the America's Cup until Luca Devoti asked me to represent +39 on the Valencia 2007 Challenger's Commission. The CC was a very constructive and concerned group. it was a great experience.

The racing was first class especially the Race Committee and exciting right up to the finish of the last race. ISAF Rules and Officials stood up to the "test of the best". Bruno Trouble and Louis Vuitton ran a wonderful series and on-shore hospitality. Valencia provided a superb facility. Above all there were gathered many of the best sailors in the world with a supporting cast representing the yachting industry. Sailing finally had an event that approached the icons of the sporting calender the pinnacles of which are Wimbledon, The Masters, and Monaco F1. The America's Cup is the one sailing event that non-sailors gravitate to as it is a "happening". They do not understand or care about whether starboard has right of way over port or a boat goes 12 kts or 12.3 kts or that a rope is called a halyard, but they like the aura of the America's Cup.

From that exalted pinnacle, the event has cascaded downwards into a pissing contest between opposing camps ending up in court battles. The losers are the sport but more importantly the sailors who these combatants say they represent.

Ernesto, Larry, Brad, Russell, Tom, Hamish and all the rest please follow Buddy Melges adage about sailors: "The difference between the good sailors and the bad sailors is that the good sailors can get his head out of his own boat and see the total race course."

Although life is never as simple as I perceive it to be there is a solution. Valencia is available. The 2007 Protocol worked just fine. The boats are waiting and are elegant yachts. Bring back Bruno Trouble and Louis Vuitton. Dyer, Luigi, and their team are still able to deliver the integrity of the event. If you need a Challenger of Record bring back the New York Yacht Club. Schedule the America's Cup for 2009 using exactly the same format, equipment, venue as was so successful for 2007.

Do not destroy, as you are doing, what was so wonderful in 2007. Your only responsibility is to the sport of Sailing and the Sailors accept that challenge and no other.

* Kimball Livingston, in his Sail Magazine blog:

Maybe a multihull match in '08 is the best next thing.

We're all tired of being mired. The pros who thought that America's Cup 32 was the launching pad to a secure footing know already how wrong they were, and compared to the abyss of legal appeals, six-guns at the back of the corral would do fine. it wouldn't be like '88, you know. People are confused about that.

In '88, Conner's cat just waltzed away from the Kiwi Big Boat, which was never really a good boat (in the San Diego slop, you could feel two waves at a time working the hull). The Big Boat was a very beatable boat, and if the defenders had matched it with their own big boat, that would have been one of the most celebrated America's Cup events ever. The world was keen. Sports illustrated was ready to go large, and so were all the major news outlets. Until the catamaran defense turned it into a bilious mismatch - yes, I'm oversimplifying, and perhaps if I had been in the meeting, I'd have voted for the catamaran too - and until the endless court battles turned everyone nauseous, then off.

From the earliest decisions made by San Diego Yacht Club after winning in Australia to Michael Fay's decision to enter a sideways challenge, the 1988 affair was an avalanche of actions with unintended consequences. Would I be wrong to say that 2007, so far, fits the theme?

Full editorial at sailmagazine.blogspot.com

* Paul Cayard:

I am back in San Francisco after a three month stint in Valencia. The short story is that I joined Desafio Espanol assuming that we were in for a short America's Cup, with a new class of boat which I found very interesting as it meant a new game and a compressed time frame.

As we all know, the event has yet to gain traction. The court case between BMW Oracle and Alinghi has completely derailed the America's Cup. As of this time, there is no date, there is no class of boat, and no venue. There is a defender (Alinghi) and one (1) challenger, BMW Oracle. Desafio Espanol, like most other teams, has had to make new plans. in the New Year, we will go to a reduced operation until there is some certainty about the next Cup that the team will be able to participate in. A new program has the team competing on the TP 52 Med Cup and GP 42 Circuits next summer, both in the Mediterranean. These circuits are very competitive and in fact most of the America's Cup sailors race there. By having its own team boats, supported by iberdrola and other top sponsors, Desafio will keep the sailing team working seriously and together and continue its presence in the sport of sailing.

This situation is obviously hard on the people on every team who have to, after getting their lives organized to be in Valencia for 2 years working for the America's Cup. It is also a shame for the fans of the sport and the corporate sponsors who were starting to appreciate what sailing can offer.

It is amazing to think that just 6 months ago, on the 21st of June... the longest day of the year, we were heading to the most competitive America's Cup final in many years following one of the most interesting Louis Vuitton Cups. The first America's Cup in Valencia raised the profile of the event world wide and indeed Alinghi is to be complimented for that. But, how long will it take to get back to that level? When will we next see a harbor with 60,000 spectators and the kind of enthusiasm we witnessed last summer? What a shame to be in this situation. -- www.cayardsailing.com

*And a man who has his priorities just right. Glenn Bourke on why he's stepping down as CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race:

It all happened in a phone call!

It had been a long time since I'd spoken to my son Mitchell, perhaps two or three weeks. I'd been constantly travelling to ports of call all over the globe. I was sick, too, and feeling low having picked up a bug on one of those flights, and I just couldn't shake it.

His words cut through me like a knife. "Dad, what world are you in now? Will you ever come to see me play footy?"

He had been playing rugby for three seasons now and during that time I'd only ever seen one match. Yes, it hadn't been easy, but I'd tried to see my kids as often as I could. I had regularly made the pilgrimage from Europe back to Australia for school holidays.

i had tried to see them as much as possible... hadn't i?

But instead of building on this fractured relationship, it had slowly felt like it was slipping further and further from my grasp. Now there was proof! Even my own son, my flesh and blood, didn't know when he would see me next and couldn't bank on the fact that I'd ever be there for him... it hurt me - a lot! Yep, I even shed a tear.

Sure, there had been some tough times with the race, mountains to climb, situations to handle, decisions to be made and people to be managed. But none, apart from the untimely death of Hans Horrevoets, that caused me to look so deep inside myself and reflect on the direction of my life, as the words of my young son. Perhaps even Hans' memory made it more poignant, too. That fine young man, with his growing family, who had been snatched so unexpectedly from our midst. Who hadn't had the chance to impart his lessons and knowledge and character on the ones he loved so much. Maybe Hans was sending me a message from up there on his cloud..."don't waste a minute, Glenn..."

....So why now and why, when it was all rumbling along so well, would I choose to leave? Simply because of 'family reasons', cliched as it might sound, I just didn't think I could go another two years, with minimal exposure to my kids, when clearly they both wanted and needed input from their father. So return I will to Australia, sad that I have left such a wonderful project and so many people who mean so much to me, but happy that the ship is on course and in safe hands. Happy that this is as good a time to leave as any, with the ports now negotiated, the teams up and operational, a staff that has used their experience to improve almost every aspect of the event. Thank you to all of those I have worked with, you were magnificent. Thank you to Volvo for giving me the opportunity in the first place, and to Hans, for reminding me what is important.

Think of me some Saturday afternoon when the race is on - i'll be the one barracking for a small boy covered in mud, doing his best to make his Dad proud.

Good luck all.

The full text at www.volvooceanrace.org

Skandia Team GBR Seek Olympic Administrator
The Royal Yachting Association, based in Hamble, is the national governing body for the sports of sailing, windsurfing, motor boating and powerboat racing.

Administrator, Olympic Programme

We are seeking an Administrator to support our successful Olympic Racing programme, Skandia Team GBR. The post involves day to day administration of the Olympic and Olympic Development Squads, under the direction of the programme managers.

The successful applicant will be numerate, with experience of spreadsheets, have good written and verbal communication skills and be able to fit into a small and busy team. A knowledge of competitive sailing would be an advantage. The role will involve occasional attendance at events outside office hours.

Salary 15,750 GBP pa, rising to 17,510 GBP pa. Range of benefits including free parking, pension scheme, free life insurance, 23 days annual leave plus public holidays. 35 hours per week.

Closing date for applications: 14 January 2008

An application form and job description can be downloaded from www.rya.org.uk About Us, Job Vacancies, or call 023 8060 4105 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The RYA is committed to equality of opportunity.

Fast & Famous
Olin Stephens esteemed career as the greatest living yacht designer of our time was all started with the design of a 6-meter racing yacht that he was able to persuade Yachting magazine to publish in January of 1928, a yacht he designed as an amateur. This design ultimately led to his association with the broker Drake Sparkman and the formation of Sparkman & Stephens. The six-meter class was very active in Long island Sound during the early 1930s. in the early years a number of 6-meter racing yachts were designed by the firm. A total of 39 were designed in all. it was acknowledged by many familiar with these boats that they were so successful and fast that they seemed to have an "unfair" advantage. Two, in particular, were stand-outs: JiLL and CHEROKEE (1930). On and off the wind, both were fast and capable.

The Museum of Yachting, is pleased to announce that as part of an exhibit on the history of S&S, the Newport years, the building of a new CHEROKEE. Building the yacht will be the centerpiece of a living exhibit at the museum's location on the harbor in Newport, Ri. The yacht is being built from plans provided by S&S and will be launched in time to compete in the 6-meter World Cup-also being held in Newport. Construction management is courtesy of Boothbay Harbor Shipyard of Maine.

This new build will rigorously conform to historic design and construction standards necessary to compete in the 2009 Worlds. This design is sanctioned by the 6-meter Association of North America as a replica. Only one copy of any given design is allowed and only once it can be proved that the original yacht is no longer in existence. This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of yachting history.

Offers of underwriting and purchase are being accepted. $160,000: includes hardware, rigging, and three sails.

Please make inquiries to:
Terry Nathan, President
Museum of Yachting & international Yacht Restoration School
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 401-848-5777, extension 211

Or

Bruce Johnson, Chief Designer
Sparkman & Stephens, inc.
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 212-661-1240

CHEROKEE, S&S Design #10
Principle Characteristics
37'3" LOA
23'4" DWL
6'5" Beam
5'5" Draft
455 Sq ft sail area

The Holy Grail: 50 Knots
What might prove top be a sailing missile was launched in Australia today!

Built to break through the 50 knot barrier, Wot Rocket, the 9 metre, purpose built Atlantic proa style looks like a cross between Macquarie Yellow Pages, a foiling international Moth and a sailplane/glider.

The Wot Rocket is half sailboat and half sailplane; a nine metre long canoe style hull with two tiny foils, each about a sixth of the size of a Moth foil and a nine metre rigid sail, then a transverse beam out to an aerodynamic twin pod crew compartment.

The difference between this sailboat/sail plane and any that have come before it, is that it will be attempting to break through the water speed barrier using a technology as yet untried on any sailing craft - supercavitation.

Supercavitation, according to the Wot Rocket team, could be the breakthrough for sailing boats. The most famous practical application is the Russian's Shkval torpedo which has a maximum speed of 200+ kt (370 km/h).

This speed is a result of supercavitation. The torpedo is, in effect, flying in a gas bubble created by outward deflection of water by its specially shaped nose cone and the expansion of gases from its engine. By keeping water from contacting the surface of the body of the torpedo, this significantly reduces drag and allows extremely high speeds. in effect, the Shkval is an underwater missile.

However sailing boats don't have engines to produce gas, but Andy Dovell thinks fin and foil design can deliver the same effect.

The current world sailing speed record is held by windsurfer Finian Maynard; it's a record he set in April 2005 of 48.70 knots breaking his November 2004 record of 46.82 knots. -- Rob Kothe

Full story and photos at www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=40167

The Last Word
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! -- Hamilton Wright Mabie