Around the World of Sailing
2 January 2002
News: Sydney to Hobart
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/2002/ja/0102/ms.htm
The annual 630 mile offshore race from Sydney to Hobart via the Bass Strait
fully lived up to it's reputation in 2001. 75 yachts including the Volvo Ocean race fleet started in Sydney under smoky conditions influenced by the wild fires burning near Sydney.
After the Water Spout on Day 1 of the Syd Hobart
JON GUNDERSEN news corp
The first nite will be remembered for violent conditions with up to 60 knots of wind and waterborne tornadoes aka water spouts. Once that passed through most of the race was a testing upwind slog in 20-30 knot SW winds.
Waterspout as seen from Assa Abloy
18 boats retired including the Volvo 60 SEB which suffered a broken rudder and the 66 footer Grundig which suffered structural damage.
SEB's damaged Rudder
Magnus Woxe'nTeam SEB
Australian Skandia aka Wild Thing an 83 foot line honors contender was forced to retire after a torn mainsail suffered during passage of the water spout.
Eventually line honors went to the Volvo 60 Assa Abloy. The 60's were often within sight throughout the race which they consider a sprint. As they sailed in lite air in Storm Bay American Chris Larson deftly guided Assa Abloy about 200 yards from the rest of the fleet and onto the first gun. Assa Abloy's time was 2 days 20 hours 46 minutes and 43 seconds, 14 minutes and 34 seconds ahead of Nicorette.
Winner of the IMS division was Bumblebee 5 over Ninety Seven a Farr 47 and Ragamuffin a Farr 50.
PHS results saw Valtiar a Lyons 62 1st, while Polaris of Belmont won the IRC division.
Links: Sydney-Hobart Site http://s2h.tas.gov.au/2001/home.php
Hobart Finish http://www.volvooceanrace.com/news/leg_3/n3_011229_hobartfin.html
SEB Retired
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/news/leg_3/n3_011228_SEBrudder.html
Theme: Roller Furling Part I
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/2002/ja/0102/ms.htm
We begin our monthly theme articles for 2002 with a 4 part series on headsail roller furling. Although many new boats come equipped with head sail furling, some older boats don't have it and other sailors want to upgrade to a better level of furling.
If you don't have roller furling there's a couple of reasons to consider it. One, your headsail is permanently set. No more hoisting and stowing the sail each time you sail. Two, you can control the amount of sail area while sailing without having to change headsails or leave the cockpit. A third advantage is that it cuts down on crew work and can make a larger boat manageable for short handed crews.
Furling systems are made by several companies including: Harken, Schafer and Pro Furl. As with all products there are different benefits and opinions on each.
This week we'll look at a few general issues before tackling specifics of particular brands. Perhaps the most important feature to look for is ease of installation. Depending on your rigging skills and how a furler is installed this may determine whether you do it yourself or work with a professional rigger or boat yard.
If you race you'll want to consider the performance of the headstay when without it's furling sail. You'll want double headstay grooves for in line headsail changes, and an easily removable split drum for quick changes into race mode.
You'll also have to consider round extrusions which are stronger versus airfoil extrusions which are more aerodynamic. Another option is a furling line which wraps around the drum versus one that is continuous and does not wrap around the drum.
In the coming weeks we'll look at the various options and how they maybe suitable to your application.
Links: Harken http://www.harken.com/furling/furling.php
Schaefer http://www.schaefermarine.com
Pro Furl http://www.profurlusa.com/
Event News: Volvo Ocean Race Leg 3
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/2002/ja/0102/ms.htm
The Volvo Ocean race fleet made a 3.5 hour stop in Hobart and then restarted across the Tasman Sea towards Auckland. The pit stop was routine for all but Amer Sports 2.
Repairing Amer Sports II rudder
© Carlo Borlenghi / SEA&SEE
After a broken forestay on the way from Sydney the boat suffered rudder damage from submerged objects. Due to race rules they first had to leave Hobart and officially restart the race. They then returned, had the boat pulled, the rudder fixed and continued racing having been forced behind.
Meanwhile Assa Abloy which led into Hobart chose a route to the north. They were the only boat to take this option. It paid off as they kept their lead and now lead by 36 miles as the fleet nears New Zealand.
Amer Sports One Leaves Hobart
© Carlo Borlenghi / SEA&SEE
The routing situation was not at all clear. Amer Sport One's Roger Nilsson said, "As we felt we did not really know which side was going to pay, why not stay in the middle?" Another veteran News Corps's Ross Field said, "It’s amazing to read how some of the other boats see situations." From Djuice the word was, "After we left Tasmania, we positioned ourselves close to the fleet, but as the southern boat. All our information pointed towards keeping the wind longer in the south, but we have been wrong so far." Djuice has remained wrong trailing by 144 miles.
Leader Assa Abloy is now under 300 miles from Auckland. A high pressure off Auckland may slow them as they are under 10 knots with the pursuers over 11.
Assa Abloy has about 24 hours before reaching the finish in Auckland and seeing if they are the first boat besides illbruck to post a leg win.
Links: Rudder Damage http://www.volvooceanrace.com/news/leg_3/n3_011229_rudderdamage.html
Outlook for Finish
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/news/tactics/leg_3/t3_020102_broughton.html
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Short Tack: December Weather in Muskegon
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/2002/ja/0102/st.htm
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