Pressure Drop

2012 Spinnaker Cup

Max Headway — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:39:05 GMT

It's due to blow from the right direction this year!

http://www.sfyc.org/files/12_spin_cup_nor.pdf

5150

Max Headway — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:07:36 GMT

F-18 Cat Sailing

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

F-18�s at San Francisco Yacht Club.

hobie18rich — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:57:25 GMT

F-18�s at San Francisco Yacht Club.
The last time the San Francisco Yacht Club hosted a Multihull Regatta the calendar read 1980 with the C-Class and 18 Square on the lawn. After 32 years the beach cats were back this weekend, with the F-18 fleet showing up with 8 boats.
Friday saw 5 boats showing up at different points during the day. We were greeted by Forrest Gay the Director of Sailing at SFYC. He showed us where to rig and store our boats, and answered any questions we had. We all got our boats rigged and into the designated areas making our plans for the morning. As the lot began to fill we really became thank full for our reserved parking spots right across from the hoist. Several people then chose to gather at CYC for the bear can barbecue and drinks.
Saturday morning saw our final boats showing up. We all worked together to get our boats hoisted and set into the water. With the boats tied off to the guest dock at SFYC we all moved to the bar for our skippers meeting. Our PRO Anne Scully had a description of all the courses and new sailing instructions for the day. After a brief and informative meeting we all went to get geared up and going. We all got our sails up and pushed off for the ride to the course.
A slow ride out to the bay where we saw the wind fill and we were set for some fun racing. With a nice 15 to 18 we saw double trapping up the bay. The flood tide made for a pretty smooth ride with the wind chop at about a foot or two. The windward leeward set course made for a 2 tack up and 2 gybe down providing some long legs and still tactical calls to stay in the running. A double lap race gave us our first chance to see what we were looking at for the weekend.
With 8 boats there was tight racing at all the marks and places being swapped on a regular basis. A good call gained a place, where a bad call or blown tack would cost a position or two. With 4 races ran we made our way back to the docks to put in for the night. After changing into dry clothes we all sat and chatted about the day and enjoyed the provided chips, salsa, and beer. Checking the scores and talking about what did and didn�t work.
We then went to the Cinco De Mayo dinner at SFYC. We were given the Commodores Room for the 20 plus people we had in attendance. The buffet style diner featured all sorts of Mexican food and made for a nice night cap after a full day of racing. The mariachi band was playing from room to room as people finished their meals and we sat and had dessert and drinks. As people were enjoying the evening we chose to leave and get a good night sleep.
Sunday morning we had a few boats to put back in the water and got our gear ready to go. We all gathered in the sailing center to discuss our races for the day. The plan was a short 2 lap race followed by a �Tour of the Bay� point to point race. We were going to break it up into 3 legs with a rabbit start on each leg. After a slow ride out to the course we found a low wind out of the north with a strong flood. We could sit in one place and sail against the current at about 4 knots. We all waited till the wind filled in from the west and we were set to run again.
As the wind filled in we set off on a three lap race in building conditions. Early in double trapping we had a fun race to the mark. The wind was up to about 16 to 18 and we were flying up and down the course. With the windward mark out in the bay we were having great fun with the turn down. Bows down and sheets eased to keep from pitching as we rounded the mark. By the time the third lap was done it was starting to touch 20 on the wind scale and building. After the race completed we were told the bay tour was off and one more 2 lap race would be run. The wind was now solid in the low 20�s with the occasional gust making the downwind run tricky. At one point there were 5 boats over at the same time. The race finished with all the boats back upright. We all made it back to the docks safe and sound and began de-rigging.
The SFYC then had a nice cooler full of beer and more chips, and salsa ready for the awards and final scores. We all shared storied of the flips and pitch poles we did that day. As all but 2 boats went over the last race there were plenty of stories to go around. Charles and Jim took the first place trophy home. Phil and Bill followed in a close second, with Michael and Jose in third. Alex and Sean took fourth with Dan and Katie in fifth. Frank and Jodie took sixth with me and Daisy in seventh. Peter and Jasper brought up the rear after a hard fought race a dramatic pitch pole. We all said our good byes and finished packing the boats.
We had wonder full time and felt warm and welcome at San Francisco Yacht Club. Thanks To Charles for setting this up for us. Thanks to Forrest, Anne and the rest of the SFYC volunteers who put this on. Thanks to Jeremy at Sail Revolution for coming out to get photos. Thanks to Anne Sromek for getting pictures on Sunday. We look forward to doing this again.
Rich
F-18 5150

VX One Clips 23 knots in Sydney Harbor

Photoboy — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:46:33 GMT

The VX is a fresh and exciting sport one-design for the international two to three person racing enthusiast. The design concept is born of a careful review of performance one-design demographics within this category worldwide. The VX offers sailors from Junior to Advanced a vehicle for perpetual enjoyment of performance sailing in an affordable, durable, and technically advanced package, and at a realistic price.

http://vxonedesignracing.com/vxodr/

No Bull, Red Bull To Sponsor Oracle Racing

Photoboy — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:37:25 GMT

According vsail.info, tomorrows surprise announcement at Union Square in SF will amount to the official announcement of Red Bul'ls sponsorship of Oracle Racing as well as the sponsorship for the Youth Americas Cup. The Union Square location could also mean a retail outlet, possibly with Louis Vuitton to buy all your AC34 Swag! In other news, Grant Zimmer has been announced as the new Oracle General Manager. The move along with Russell Coutt's climbing back on board the AC 45 might signal Russell's return to sailing and less managerial duties. Hmmm

Above image: redbullsfo

Quote:

In the year 2012 one has to go to great lengths to escape the ubiquitous smartphones, mobile phones and cameras. In particular, when you sail on a Sunday afternoon, in the middle of the busiest canals in Venice, a city where everybody has a boat, yacht, gondola or dinghy, you have to be naive to think you’ll get unnoticed.
In addition, with Italians making nearly 10% of our thousands of readers, it was just a matter of time before we got the photos of James Spithill’s crew sailing with their Red Bull helmets on.

According to sources close to Red Bull, the famous energy drink will sponsor the Defender of the 34th America’s Cup and hold the naming rights of the Youth America’s Cup Championship. We are still working on getting more details. As we wrote yesterday, the Reb Bull-branded AC45 will most probably appear at some stage in Venice.

An AC45, hidden in a tent in Venice, completely branded with the Red Bull logos and James Spithill’s crew sailing with Red Bull helmets point to a deal between the Defender of the 34th America’s Cup and the energy drink company. According to, yet unconfirmed, information, Red Bull will become a sponsor of Oracle USA Team and in exchange will put its branding on a number of AC45 yachts that will be used during the Youth America’s Cup, to be held in San Francisco between the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup match.

The AC45 red Bull-branded yacht currently in Venice is believed to be the former Green Comm yacht and, it is also believed, the four Oracle Team USA AC45′s will be also re-branded with the energy drink colors once the AC45 circuit is over, a year from now. Finally, a couple of other AC45′s could be added, coming from current challengers that could potentially drop from competition, due to lack of funding, such as China Team.

Union Square SF Seteup
Photo� Jake Sailer

http://www.vsail.info/tag/red-bull/

J-125 Double Trouble

Photoboy — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:07:03 GMT

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/doubletroubleracing/

Who's Cat is That?

Photoboy — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:44:26 GMT

X-40 Smart Recruiters out on their maiden voyage.
photo�http://www.smartrecruiters.com

You might have noticed over the past weekend a new cat in town cruising about the North Bay sporting a Smart Recruiters Smart Recruiters logo on the sail.? That cat is an 1st edition Extreme 40 Cat, nee the Old I-Shares cat now the property of Jerome Ternyck CEO and founder of Smart Recruiters, a non profit based in San Francisco with an underlying mission to eradicate unemployment globally.
http://www.smartrecruiters.com

Rigged and ready!

Ashley Perrin, Dave Wilhite, Matt Noble and Jerome out for a cruise, a VERY fast cruise

Jerome is originally from Paris France with a background in sailing catamarans and the acquisition of the Extreme 40 will serve dual purposes, brand awareness of the start up company and to provide a platform for the average joe a chance to enjoy the thrill of sailing on one of these high speed formula 1 beasts! The Smart Recruiters cat has enlisted an all star crew to handle the boat which currently reside in Marina Bay in Richmond. Heading the group as captain and project manager is David Wilhite, a former sailing coach and North Sails rep and now assistant scribe for Latitude 38. Ashley Perrin, Matt Noble Pepe Parsons an JP Surey round out the current crew.

All work and no play, Matt and David tighten things up!

We spoke with project manager David Wilhite on the project and how things are progressing. The boat finally arrive in a container earlier this month and took 4 days to assemble, they got their feet wet on Mothers Day and were seeing �speeds in the mid to high 20s and probably tapped into the 30 knot range a few times� It�s definitely a flat water boat� say s Dave. The cat requires a bit or maintenance as the loads tend to tweak and loosen the connections, and thing need to get tightened down on a regular basis. The tramp, which provided structural integrity also need to get retightened on a semi regular basis, a project which requires two people, a hook, a pair of vicegrips and a winch.

In the yard and ready to splash!

With the excitement of cats escalating as the Americas Cup World Series and finally the Americas Cup itself near, the ability to get the average joe out on the bay on one of these formula 1 type cats is a smart move by Jerome and crew. Will there be a vetting process? � We are working out that right now indicates Dave �It�s not a ride for everyone, and you wouldn�t want to push grandma out of a plane and tell her to �just pull the rip cord� ". In addition planned fun runs out of Marina Bay, exposure tours in certain high traffic areas, the Smart Recruiters cat is planning on entering select sailing events on SF Bay,� We would have loved to get her in the Ditch Run this year� Says David � But we are all just getting used to the boat and her potential and limits, Buth the Jazz Cup certainly looks like a probability, and maybe a BAMA or YRA event along the way!
We say, Let�er rip!

http://www.smartrecruiters.com

Worlds Largest Sloop Gets Refit

Max Headway — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:26:29 GMT

Mirabella 5, the worlds largest sloop gets its massive mast removed as she prepares for
a major refit at the Pendennis Yard in Falmouth, England

2012 470 World Championship - 1st day highlights

Max Headway — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:41:18 GMT

2012 470 World Championship
11-19 May 2012, Barcelona, Spain
General introduction to the 2012 470 World Championship, Barcelona In Port Race where the top 470 teams went head to head in the heart of the city, and practice race.

Cool sailing art, photos, etc.

Sanity Check — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:56:25 GMT

http://josefine.typepad.com/.shared/...rit1960s_1.jpg

investigation of LSC , ocean racing ban...

PSutchek — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:24:24 GMT

Any new information on the ocean closure ?
Or when the racing ban will be lifted ?

Looking toward the spinnaker cup, and was wondering...
Thank s

Paul Sutchek

el toro - flight of the bulls!

aA — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:51:53 GMT

the annual rumble in the foster city lagoon is tomorrow. the last remaining "race" on my local pond and unlike the old days the breeze isn't consistent in strength and especially direction. port o call channel, edgewater channel and ryan park will all have rounding marks. the sr's take this shiznit pretty seriously and at 2 bills plus, i will have to be lucky good to stay near the top...but i do have home field advantage. let's see if the roger waters concert tonight negates that advantage

having some of the boys for bbq back at the pad afterwards...gonna be a hot and hopefully fun day

SSS Singlehanded Standdown Marathon

Photoboy — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:23:49 GMT

9:05 Sounds AWFUL early to make it to the start...mind if I join in a tad later?

Boat Sail # Skipper Make Rating
Akyla 163 Kirueshkin-Stepanoff, Zhenya Hobie 33 81
Archimedes 18355 Balderrama, Joe Express 27 129
Bandicoot 28530 Germain, Al Wyliecat 30 111
Bosporus II 97415 Wallace, Rick Columbia 36 156
Carmelita 131 Lewis, Christian Catalina 42 105
catch 22 22 Swerkes, Vincent 20' custom 189
Cinnabar 20153 Condy, Tom Schumacher 52 -9
Compromise 960276 Englehart, Sandy Elite 37 96
Crazy Rhythm 18771 Simpson, John Santa Cruz 27 141
Dazzler 28259 Patterson, Tom Wyliecat 30 132
Egret 445 Boussie, Tom Tartan 30 186
Elise 101 Bossett, Nathaniel Express 27 129
Emerald 37894 Jones, Peter Yankee 30 177
Eyrie 6100 Petroka, Synthia Hawkfarm 28 165
Firebolt 18228 Holden, Michael Laser 28 144
Flight Risk 50530 Lubimir, John Quest 30 78
Friday Harbor 28580 Radke, Ryle Beneteau 323 147
Galaxsea 28743 Willey, Daniel Nauticat 180
io 18 Cutler, Nate Tremolino T-Gull 180
Jarlen 28528 Dunnavant, Jeff J35 72
Krissy 97552 Cooper, Allen Passport 40 132
Max usa2 Wade, Bryan Ultimate 24 108
Mephisto Cat 155 Rico, Antonio Pearson Commander 261
Meritime 276 Proctor, Gary C&C 30 MKI 180
Moonshadow 8675 Morris, David Custom Wylie 31 138
Now & Zen 6883 Bourque, Anthony Newport 30 Mark II 174
Outsider 1000 Nelsen, Greg Azzura 310 57
Punk Dolphin 18481 Livingston, Jonathan Wylie 39 72
Racer X usa375 Pipkin, Rich J/105 78
RedSky 28340 Boschma, Brian Olson 34 105
Roshambo 135 Doud, Darren Corsair 31R tri 33
Sea Star 38022 Walden, Bob Cal 39 117
Sobrante 850 Descalso, Paul Catalina 320 156
Stink Eye 33562 Gutoff, Jonathan Laser 28 126
Summertime Dream 18859 Owens, Scott Schumacher 1/4 ton 186
Sunshine 54 Martin, Stanly Moore 24 150
Thumper 77629 Olsen, Todd Express 27 129
Tinker 6 Beall, Matthew Wilderness 21 225
Tortuga 207 Leasure, Randy Westsail 32 216
Verve 18283 Snetsinger, Ron Express 27 129
void star 59995 Murphy, James Santa Cruz 40 48
Warpath 198 Zimmerman, Andrew Olson 30 99
Wetsu 70 Krasner, Phil Express 27 129
Whirlwind 38068 Benjamin, Dan Wyliecat 30 132
Xpression 28314 Husselman, Dirk C&C 110 81
Yellow Jack 57313 Farrell, Mike Santa Cruz 27 141

Hope For Warriors

Photoboy — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:14:25 GMT

Ronnie Simpson at the start of the 2010 Single Handed Transpac aboard the Mt Gay 30, "Warriors Wish"

Interview by Jeremy Leonard
www.sailrevolution.com

No matter your political affiliation, or where you stand on war, we as Americans have a situation on our hands that we need to come up with a plan to deal with. It’s our duty a citizens of this great country to take care of the veterans that our government sends into harms way.

Though the exact number is difficult to nail down, it is estimated that one out of every four veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will suffer some sort of disability incurred while serving our country. The instances of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are staggering, and again, the data isn’t easily accessible. In 2011, Colonel Charles Hoge, a 20 year Army Veteran and noted psychiatrist, testified to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs that, “Of veterans who experienced direct combat in Afghanistan or Iraq, an estimated 10-20% struggle with PTSD, similar to rates after Vietnam. Depression, alcohol/substance abuse, suicidal behaviors, and other mental health concerns are also prevalent. In addition, large numbers of veterans experience readjustment challenges of a less severe nature. These problems can affect the veteran’s spouse, children, and other family members, and can impact the ability to find meaningful work and enjoy life.” Also in his book, Once a Warrior, Colonel Hoge writes extensively on the “stigma” involved in seeking help with these illnesses, so many cases go unreported Clearly, veterans of these conflicts are going to need help beyond what the VA and other government agencies can provide.

BAADS Pier 40 Headquarters

Though there are many programs to assist injured vets, their success has been spotty, and there are people who feel the need to amend these programs with a grassroots, vet-centered approach. Enter Ronnie Simpson, who had an out-of-the-box idea to help his fellow injured combat vets. Ronnie recently teamed up with Hope for the Warriors, and the Bay Area Disabled Sailors (BAADS), to bring a handful of wounded vets onto the water. Ronnie, an injured Iraq War vet himself, felt the need to develop a program, where injured vets could feel the freedom of gliding through the water, unencumbered by the wounds that they received in combat. Ronnie’s motivation to get vets on the water is personal, and he partly credits sailing for helping him transition back into civilian life after being wounded in combat, “…sailing has completely changed my life. It has made me who I am, and helped me to transition to a life beyond the war Iraq. It’s allowed me to realize that there are some problems, and to go try and help some other vets.”

On June 30, 2004, at the young age of 19, Ronnie almost died at the result of an attack on the convoy that he was travelling in between Baghdad and Falluja, Iraq. A munition blast ripped Ronnie from the .50 machine gun that he was manning atop a Humvee, and tossed him vilolently around inside the truck. The blast was so powerful, that both of Ronnie’s retinas were detached, and it was so hot that it melted his night vision goggles. He was burned over 9% of his body. A poignant documentation of Ronnie’s journey can be read in this Outside Magazine article.

Ronnie will sail his Moore 24 101 this year in the Singlehanded Transpac using the publicity to draw attention to the Hope For Warriors Project
Boat Info

I have never had to excuse myself while conducting an interview about sailing before I met up with Ronnie Simpson and his group of Wounded Warriors. As I was interviewing injured veterans, who were sailing on the SF Bay as part of Hope for the Warriors, I had to take several moments in an effort to gather myself. The stories that I was hearing from these Vets, which documented their incredible individual journeys of survival and healing after horrifying trauma during active wartime duty with the US Armed Forces, was pretty intense. I’m a feeling person, and the stories of brutality, survival and perseverance in the face of adversity, were extremely raw and real.

A handful of wounded vets, from all over the country, participated in this inaugural Hope for the Warriors sailing event. Ronnie is articulate, laidback and fit. He keeps his hair cropped close through which you can see the scars from his wartime wounds, and he engages in conversation with intensity.

Sailing a Liberty boat provides a certain liberty and freedom like no other activilty

As I walked down the docks with Ronnie, he gave me the rundown on several of the soldiers, including Jordan, one of the participating veterans, “The dude’s 26, originally from Sacramento. He's in the Navy, he’s an EOD (Explosives Ordinance Disposal) guy. He got shot in the head on December 17th in Afghanistan. After he got shot, he fell off of a 30’ roof and landed on his head. They didn’t know if he was going to live, or be paralyzed. He is incredibly fortunate to even be here, let alone recovering as well as he is. I walked up to him today and very gingerly offered, ‘Oh hi, I'm Ronnie. How are you?’ He replied, ‘What’s up, I’m Jordan.’ I could tell immediately that up in his head, he’s 100%. He was originally left handed, which is a blessing, because the brain damage affects his right side. We took him out on the Access Dinghy, and he absolutely loved it. Before injury he was a surfer, and a kite-boarder; a total waterman. He said that today's sailing was the single best day that he’s had since he got shot.”

Another wounded vet, Michael Welch, who came to SF from Oklahoma was smiling from ear to ear when I interviewed him, had an epic time on the water as well. His language ant tone became somber when I asked him how he was injured in combat, “I was in a few incidents with IEDs and I was in a roll over. My back is messed up, and my leg, but my main thing is PTSD. This clinic has been great. To get out of home and to be where good people are, laugh and have fun.” Clearly, the trauma of his wounds, and the pain of dealing with it in his everyday life were broken up by the incredible opportunity to sail on the iconic SF Bay.

Ronnie has big visions of integrating other Adaptive sports into his sailing program, but the physical limitations of some of the vets can be challenging. Ronnie reflects, ” A lot of guys that came to this clinic aren’t used to sailing, and being on the water for eight hours a day, I’ve noticed several of the guys getting tired. I want to keep all of the activities water based, like kayaking or surfing.”

The incredible group, Bay Area Diasabled Sailors BAADS, has facilities located on the City Front of San Francisco at Pier 40 that are specifically designed to get people with any number of disabilities on the water and successfully sailing. Alex Hruzewicz a volunteer for BAADS, who was once confined to a wheelchair, explains his motivation,

Ronnie Simpson sails in a BAADS Liberty Dinghy
Photo Sail revolution

“ I just volunteered to help out Hope for the Warriors. We’re using Acess Dinghys, these are called 303s and the bigger ones are called Liberties. These were designed in Australlia by a gentleman named Chris Mitchell. I started sailing them 5 years a go. I was in a wheelchair at the time, and I didn’t think that I’d do much sailing again due to my injuries. So these boats allowed me to sail again, and I think it’s awesome to share that with other people.” Please consider volunteering or donating to BAADS! They really do incredible work.

Hope For Warriors Team Director Jenlene Nowak was on site at the BAADS facility, and is excited to Support Ronnie in his sailing endeavors, “We’re supporting Ronnie’s sailing clinic, and we’re the title sponsor for his Single-Handed Transpac campaign. He want’s to give back to the veterans, so we’re here supporting that.

Hope for the Warriors does necessary work within a variety of different sports, Jenlene explains, “This sailing clinic fell under my jurisdiction, and we have a community team that fundraises. For example, we have bids for the Marine Crops Marathon, the New York Marathon, and different popular races, so people come to us with the bids to fundraise, that allows us to bring in wounded team members to participate. Another part of our program is the donation of adaptive equipment like hand-cycles, so that wounded vets can participate.”

The teaming of Ronnie, BAADS, and Hope for the Warriors seems natural, and has the potential to make a significant, positive impact on the lives of many recovering soldiers. Jenlene was impressed how it all came together, “This is our very first sailing clinic, and these are our first participants, I’m sure we’ll see a lot of interest from this. It was amazing to watch the progression from a person who had never sailed, to being on their own after just 3 days. I think it’s going to have a lasting impact. I think that by being here with BAADS, and working with Ronnie, the participants are inspired to get into something new. I want to give my deepest gratitude to these volunteers at BAADS, they are so amazing and patient. They went above and beyond. I am very impressed with their organization.”

I look forward to seeing the development of Hope for the Warriors sailing project. For more information on their programs, contact Ronnie directly. Rsimpson48@yahoo.com

Jeremy Leonard
www.sailrevolution.com

Maserati vs Mari Cha

Max Headway — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:19:41 GMT

Thursday May 10 1600 GMT time position. Mari Cha in yellow, Maserati in red

"Well this is definitely not a slam dunk of a situation but I guess this is one of sailings most prestigious records and we are trying to beat a very fast pace set by Mari Cha IV. Here is the current situation. Firstly, we have embraced a much different approach from a weather strategy point of view. Mari Cha left New York behind a cold front on NW winds that carried them much of the way to England before they had to tack on a high pressure area for the last third of the attempt. This meant that they were on a fast Port reach until tacking to starboard and then allowing the wind to free them back to a starboard reach for the final approach to England. The opportunity that presented itself to us is the opposite. We left New York ahead of and arriving cold front on Southerly winds that should carry us much of the way and then we will need to Gybe onto port gybe and hook into a low to the north which will push us to the finish. Both theories work well but we need the wind to stay steady and it has been a bit lighter than forecast for the first number of hours of the voyage."

"The other point of significance is that we are doing our attempt in the spring instead of the fall which means spring icebergs South and East of Newfoundland. I will talk more about icebergs in tomorrows blog as that will definitely be on the front of our brains for the following day. Today however is all about trying to stay in the best wind strength possible as the forecast 22 kts has been elusive and we are currently in wonderful tight reaching conditions of 17 kts. Normally lovely, but not the crazy record breaking conditions we need. So fingers crossed for the big noisy show that Maserati is so gifted at."

"Life onboard is getting chilly and is wet, but nothing like when we get to sail through the north atlantic cocktail in a couple of days. I cant decide if that cocktail should be served with crushed or full size ice cubes but neither sounds very good to me at the moment and I happen to know that a mixture is on order."

Ciao for now from Brad and the Maserati Boys!

http://maserati.soldini.it/?lang=en