AYC Newsletter
ASTORIA YACHT CLUB –PO BOX 323, ASTORIA, OR 97103
WEBSITE: WWW.ASTORIAYACHTCLUB.COM
EMAIL: [email protected]
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August 2015
Volume 15, Issue 8
The America’s Cup Tour Astoria, Oregon
(Docked at the Maritime Museum)
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
America Tours: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
(Free for AYC Members)
Evening Sail : 4:00pm - 7:00pm
$75 Adult
$55 under 13
Presentation: 7:30pm Astoria Yacht Club
1. IN THE BEGINNING
In 1851 a radical looking schooner ghosted out of the afternoon mist and swiftly sailed past the Royal Yacht stationed in the
Solent, between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England, on an afternoon when Queen Victoria was watching a sailing race.
As the schooner, named America, passed the Royal Yacht in first position, and saluted by dipping its ensign three times,
Queen Victoria asked one of her attendants to tell her who was in second place.” Your Majesty, there is no second,” came the
reply. That phrase, just four words, is still the best description of the America’s Cup, and how it represents the singular pursuit of excellence.
That day in August, 1851, the yacht America, representing the young New York Yacht Club, would go on to beat the best the
British could offer and win the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 100 Pound Cup. This was more than a simple boat race however, as
it symbolised a great victory for the new world over the old, a triumph that unseated Great Britain as the world’s undisputed maritime power.
The trophy would go to the young democracy of the United States and it would be well over 100 years before it was taken
away from New York.
Shortly after America won the 100 Guinea Cup in 1851, New York Yacht Club Commodore John Cox Stevens and the rest of
his ownership syndicate sold the celebrated schooner and returned home to New York as heroes. They donated the trophy
to the New York Yacht Club under a Deed of Gift, which stated that the trophy was to be “a perpetual challenge cup for
friendly competition between nations.”
Thus was born the America’s Cup, named after the winning schooner America, as opposed to the country.
The America’s Cup is without a doubt the most difficult trophy in sport to win. In the more than 150 years since that first
race off England, only four nations have won what is often called the “oldest trophy in international sport.” For some perspective, consider that there had been nine contests for the America’s Cup before the first modern Olympic Games were
held in Athens in 1896.
Continued on page 2 - America’s Cup History
AYC Newsletter
Continued from page 1 America’s Cup History
2. EARLY CHALLENGES
The very first challenge would come from Englishman James Ashbury, who raced against a fleet from the New York Yacht
Club just off Staten Island in 1870. After much dispute over the conditions for racing, Ashbury’s Cambria finished tenth in
the 17-boat fleet, prompting a second challenge the following year.
The 1871 America’s Cup match was a precursor for many of the legal battles that would engulf the Cup over the next 100
years. After reportedly consulting his lawyers, Ashbury insisted on racing against just one boat, not an entire fleet and protested both the scoring of the races and the Race Committee who set the race course. In the end he limped home complaining bitterly about poor sportsmanship on the part of the Americans and insisting he had actually won the America’s Cup, to
no avail.
The next two Challenges came from Canada, but the northerners were no match for the Americans and were soundly beaten.
3. LIPTON ERA
There were a further six challenges before the turn of the Century, including the first of what came to be called the Lipton
era of the America’s Cup. Sir Thomas Lipton, the Irish/Scottish tea baron challenged five times between 1899 and 1930. He
became the loveable loser; a man whose good-natured approach to the obstacles stacked against him turned him into a folk
hero and promoted his business interests in America as well.
While Lipton didn’t win the America’s Cup, he became one of the first to introduce the idea of sports sponsorship, and he
realised a financial windfall from it. Lipton’s final challenge in 1930 was the first in the new J-Class boats. This was a period
of magnificent beauty afloat, as the towering masts carrying an improbable amount of sail powered through the chop off
Newport, Rhode Island. Harold Vanderbilt was selected to defend for the New York Yacht Club that year and did so with
ease.
4. POST WAR
The Second World War marked the end of the J-Class, and when America’s Cup racing began again in 1958, it signaled the
beginning of the 12-Metre era. The Americans would successfully defend eight more times over the next 25-year period.
Sadly, in 1939, all but three of the original ten J’s were used as scrap metal for the war effort. The three surviving J-Class
yachts have been restored and still sail in regattas around the world.
5. CHALLENGER SERIES
In 1970, more than one yacht club interested in challenging for the America’s Cup, so for the first time, a competition was
staged to determine the single Challenger that would face the Defender, the New York Yacht Club.
The French malletier Louis Vuitton became involved with the America’s Cup in 1983, supporting the Challenger Selection
Series that came to be known as the Louis Vuitton Cup. The idea was twofold; to develop and identify the strongest possible
challenger for the America’s Cup and ensure that they were sufficiently battle-tested through tough competition to beat the
Defender.
The defenders had been involved in this type of selection series for most of the century, but until recently, there had been
but one Challenger.
6. THE CUP LEAVES AMERICA
Australia was one of the challenging countries in 1983, and the ‘Men from Down Under’ brought a secret weapon. Australia
II sported a boxing Kangaroo flag in the rigging as she was towed out to sea, and under the water, a radically-designed
winged keel that gave the 12-Metre Class boat superior speed under most conditions. The Australians kept the secret to
themselves, draping large ‘modesty skirts’ from the deck to the ground when the boat was hauled from the water – keeping
prying eyes away and all the time building speculation as to what could be under there.
Dennis Conner, ‘Mr. America’s Cup’, was charged with defending against the upstart Australians, who handily whipped
through the challenger fleet and carried off the first Louis Vuitton Cup. That summer, in 1983, the America’s Cup had pride
of place on every newscast, and front-page status in every paper.
Continued on page 5 America’s Cup History
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Volume 15, Issue 8
Commodore’s Corner
by Toby Dyal
Here we are at the best of the boating season, and Marie’s and my sailboat(s) is/are still in fix it mode. More
projects than time…… The club has had a great sail race season so far and the Memorial Cup race and dinner was well attended. Marie and I had the pleasure to be invited for a sail and dinner aboard Tom and Liz’s
Cantata for the July 4th fireworks. We had a good time sharing the evening with their company and taking in
the sites of Astoria illuminated by the glow of firelight. It made my thoughts turn to this September’s raftup above Tongue Point. We need to work on the logistics now to pull this off. Come to the August board
meeting with your ideas. Perhaps a special planning meeting would be needed? Many Hands Make Light
Work.
Regatta is here and we have the opportunity to show our club off. We will need members to man the club
room during Saturday and Sunday. So, if you can spend an hour or so being host to visitors, please give me a
call. We will need to be open to the public, and visiting clubs from up river, throughout both days (tea and
coffee). Remember to register your boat for the High Water Parade on line at the regatta web site,
www.astoriaregatta.com .
My hat’s off to Mike Covert! He has put together a great inventory of wearables that may be purchased at
the club room. Stop in and have a look at the display. Remember, as full club members you may enter the
club room as you please, just log in and enjoy the view. I will be glad to meet you there and to show you
how to get in.
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo TX
by Suzanne Nauman
There is an art exhibit called CADillac Ranch near Amarillo,Texas where an artist stabbed a series of
CADillacs into the Texas desert. However, on a north Holland beach near a village named Egmond
Aan Zee, a low pressure system created a CATillac Ranch. With a deft artistic touch, the wind punched
the graceful little boats into the beach to build an interesting display. Both exhibits are fun to look at.
Thanks to Sailing Anarchy for the CATillac Ranch photo.
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AYC Newsletter
Minutes for 7/9/15 Executive Board Meeting 1830hrs
Meeting called to order: 1839hrs
Board Present: Commodore Dyal, Jeannette Davis, Bruce Faling, Paul Gascoigne, Tom Brownson, Thor
Sorenson. Missing Board: Treasurer Mike Covert, Secretary Rich Elstrom, and Curt Yoder. Guests: Hal Nauman, Josh Mcconnell, Paul and Dolores Jean (DJ) Winiarz.
Minutes: Approved
Regatta : Hal Nauman presented highlights- Fri., Aug 7 at 11 am Seaman’s Memorial Celebration. Regatta
Committee person wants boats on river just off of Seaman’s Memorial. Sat., Aug 8 at 5:30 pm, Highwater
Boat Parade. Sun., Aug 9 at 11:30 am Ducky Derby. Apparently, sailboat races is no longer listed in Regatta
website under scheduled events or their rack cards.
Treasurer's Report: Fiscally in good shape. Covert not present.
Bills submitted: None submitted.
Membership: Moved and approved to accept new members: Anthony and Cora Barran. Motion made by
Faling, second by Brownson.
Newsletter: Need stories and pictures.
Website: Send content to [email protected]. To have Memorial Cup racing results posted.
Clubroom: No rep from Port of Astoria. Elevator not approved by State. Brownson to talk to Jim Knight.
Events: Memorial Cup Race with potluck after the race. Unofficial Bridge to Bridge Race Aug 1-3. America’s
Cup Schooner Tour Aug 5, Regatta Races Aug 8 & 9.
Reciprocity: Mike Covert has issued some reciprocity.
Ships Store: New items to arrive.
Racing/White Knight/Small Boats: (Racing) 12 boats have raced so far this year. Gascoigne wants to have a
racing captain meeting to talk about handicaps – to have races based on level of boat by giving a base number for each boat and make adjustments as boat skills improve. (White Knight) Need a depth gauge, sound
and hearing line, and flares. Also needs a little bit of gear. Need to budget for a new motor. (Small Boats) Toby talked to Chuck Bollong as contact person for small boats and paddle group. This group has grown, many
are non AYC members.
Cruising: Discussed Labor Day raft up; looking at area just above Tongue Point, or possibly Ilwaco.
New Business: Commodores Ball committee in October; Annual meeting first week in November.
Good of the Order: Any interest in RC sailing? Nancy Carruthers has a boat for sale.
Adjourned: 2020 hours
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Volume 15, Issue 8
Continued from page 2 America’s Cup History
There was a sense of history about that season; that somehow,
finally, the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year winning streak was
going to come to an end. Equipment problems on the Australian
boat allowed Conner to jump ahead early in the best of seven
series, but Australian skipper John Bertrand battled back, eventually bringing the series to a score line of 3-3.
The seventh and final race was symbolic of the entire series, with
Conner’s Liberty leading for most of the course in a light and
shifty breeze. It was not until the final spinnaker run that Australia II was able to jump into the lead, and then hold on to it despite a ferocious, last-gasp assault over the last few minutes. For
the first time in 132 years, the America’s Cup was leaving the
New York Yacht Club.
Conner, then representing the San Diego Yacht Club, won the right to fight another day in 1987. Held in Fremantle, he won
the Louis Vuitton Cup to become the Challenger and then delivered a shut-out victory of 4-0. This America’s Cup featured
quite an on-the-water show, with the famous “Fremantle Doctor,” strong afternoon sea-breezes, blowing up incredible sailing
conditions with giant white-capped seas, to challenge both the sailors and equipment.
7. BACK TO AMERICA
Dennis Conner, basking in presidential welcomes and ticker-tape parades through New York, was in no rush to settle the details of the next event, and New Zealand, exploiting a loophole in the century old Deed of Gift, demanded an immediate challenge in 1988.
What resulted was the first America’s Cup Finals where two different styles of boat raced each other, with the Kiwis in a giant
90-foot waterline boat against Conner in a much smaller but faster hard-winged catamaran. The best of three series went to
the Americans and after numerous court challenges – the teams spent far more time battling in a courtroom than they did on
the water – the result stood.
8. AMERICA’S CUP CLASS
A good thing to come of the entire 1988 fiasco was a new class of boat that featured a more modern design that could perform well in the lighter winds of San Diego; the America’s Cup Class, a type of boat built to a design rule.
Under the rule, all boats must look similar, although the designers had enough leeway to make an impact on boat speed . Progress is always made from one generation to the next.
In 1992, two American teams sought the right to defend the United States through a Defender series, where Dennis Conner
was beaten and lost the right to defend to American billionaire Bill Koch with his massive, four-boat America programme. On
the challenger side, New Zealand met the Italian Il Moro de Venezia Challenge, eventually yielding to relentless pressure from
the Italians and their skipper Paul Cayard. In the concluding battle for the 29th America’s Cup, Koch, occasionally steering the
boat himself, and his skipper Buddy Melges, successfully defended the America’s Cup.
9. THE KIWIS
1995 would be the year of the Kiwi. Led by the fierce determination of Sir Peter Blake and with the steady hand of Russell
Coutts on the wheel, New Zealand’s Black Magic dominated the challengers in San Diego, and went on to make short work of
the Dennis Conner / Paul Cayard defense partnership, taking the America’s Cup back to the Southern Hemisphere.
Sir Peter Blake’s crew declared there would be no defender selection series, and Team New Zealand focused on in-house
training, taking advantage of a deep pool of young talent to push Coutts to the limit in training.
At the same time, the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000 featured what has been described as perhaps the best two weeks of racing in
the history of the America’s Cup.
Continued on page 6 - America’s Cup History
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AYC Newsletter
Continued from page 5 - America’s Cup History
Italy’s Prada Challenge outlasted Paul Cayard’s AmericaOne, winning the best of nine series 5-4. Not only was the series
close, but many of the races were sailed with the boats just metres apart, the lead changing hands over and over again.
But Prada’s Luna Rossa, although battle-hardened, was no match for Team New Zealand. Skipper Russell Coutts staked the
Kiwis to a quick 4-0 lead – equaling the record for most consecutive America’s Cup wins set by Charlie Barr 100 years earlier
– before handing the wheel to understudy Dean Barker who promptly became the youngest skipper at 26-years old to win
the America’s Cup. Team New Zealand looked to be so far ahead of the challengers that the America’s Cup appeared to be
secure in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for a long time to come.
But shortly after the win, Russell Coutts and many of his Team New Zealand stalwarts announced they were leaving to join a
new team that had to be built from the ground up for Swiss Bio-Tech entrepreneur Ernesto Bertarelli.
Within months, in a scene reminiscent of an earlier era, many of the world’s most successful men announced they were coming to stake their claim on the Cup. Backed by Patrizio Bertelli of the Prada fashion house, the Italians would be back, as
would three strong American challenges, including teams backed by Oracle software guru Larry Ellison, and a Pacific Northwest team led by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen. Joining them were teams from France, Italy, Sweden, and for the first time in
16 years, Great Britain, making another run at regaining that which they lost 151 years earlier.
After four months of Round Robin and elimination rounds, the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series came down to a nine-race
Final between Ernesto Bertarelli’s Team Alinghi and Larry Ellison’s BMW ORACLE Racing team. Both teams arrived at the
Finals with impressive records in the previous rounds, and the racing showed these two teams were evenly matched. Although the record was a 5-1 series win for Alinghi, the numbers belied how close the racing actually was.
The battle to the win the Louis Vuitton Cup created a very strong Challenger, and set up a much-anticipated America’s Cup
Match between Coutts and his old Team New Zealand understudy Dean Barker. Unfortunately for the Kiwis, Team New Zealand appeared ill prepared, and was no match for Alinghi. Serious equipment problems and some poor race tactics allowed
Alinghi to sweep the Match 5-0, and take the America’s Cup to Europe for the first time.
10. TO EUROPE
Shortly after winning the America’s Cup, the Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG) accepted a challenge from the Golden Gate
Yacht Club, putting the wheels in motion for the 32nd America’s Cup. A new Protocol was issued, detailing the plans for the
next event and outlining some of the changes. It was immediately clear that the move to Europe would mean a sea change for
the America’s Cup. Taking advantage of what some perceived to be a problem for the new Defender, the SNG announced that
it would take its time to decide upon a venue, drafting up a selection criteria that would ensure reliable sailing conditions.
The nationality rules were abolished, freeing up teams to sign the best people regardless of their passport, and rules on the
transfer of technology from prior syndicates were eased to enable new teams access to old information. Most importantly, a
new organising authority, AC Management, was created and charged with the task of overseeing all aspects of the 32nd
America’s Cup including the Challenger Selection Series. In short, a
new era of the America’s Cup had dawned.
The 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain was a success on many
levels. By bidding out the city, the organising authority was able to
raise revenue on a scale previously unimagined. A four-year programme of racing took America’s Cup racing to other European venues, drumming up interest in the event. And teams from new territories, like South Africa and China, added to the international flavour of
the racing.
Emirates Team New Zealand, rejuvenated behind the leadership of
Grant Dalton, won the Louis Vuitton Cup to set up a rematch against
Alinghi. But although the Kiwis won a couple of races and lost another by just one second, the Swiss Defender proved to be too strong
and retained the title.
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Volume 15, Issue 8
Continued from page 6 - America’s Cup History
11. MULTIHULL BATTLE
Shortly after successfully defending the Cup, SNG announced it had
accepted a challenge from a newly formed yacht club, the Spanish
CNEV, and released a Protocol for the 33rd America’s Cup.
Many in the America’s Cup community balked at the terms in the
Protocol and BMW ORACLE Racing, with Larry Ellison leading the
charge, challenged the validity of the new Spanish club. The courts
agreed and GGYC became the challenger of record. When GGYC and
SNG were unable to mutually consent on a new Protocol, the 33rd
America’s Cup became a ‘Deed of Gift’ Match, as in 1988.
There were numerous court challenges, initiated by both sides. In
the end, both teams having learned the lesson of 1988, built enormous multihulls. Then, just months before the race, BMW ORACLE
Racing replaced its soft sail rig with a towering wing sail – the largest wing ever built.
When the boats finally lined up to race off Valencia in February 2010, the BMW ORACLE Racing trimaran with its powerful
wing sail proved to be superior. Skipper James Spithill, just 30 years old, won with a record of 2-0. Once again, the America’s
Cup would be defended by an American Team in the 34th edition.
Sailing News From George Siro
After checking out all the breweries from Astoria to Portland we used our last $30 to get our food supplies for the trip
south with plans to visit friendly harbors. Friday late afternoon July 24th ventured out of the Columbia sandbar for our
next stop. The first night the clew of our down wind Spinnaker came off as if someone cut it with a knife. Continued
with 150 genoa without sacrificing any speed. Next day the wind died and the crew started motoring not able to handle the swells and no wind. Before dark we caught a nice albacore tuna that fed us for the rest of the trip. Our motor
also died and after checking it had run completely our of oil. Added oil but never started again. At that our safe harbor
options were eliminated and only one way to go to San Francisco Bay. Seven foot seas and wind In the twenties or low
thirties mojo flew thru the waves some times double riffed and no head sail and still hitting 10 knots. After crossing in
to California the winds and seas got more challenging at night but Mojo handled like a pro. We crossed Golden Gate
Bridge Wednesday 7-22-15 9:40 am. I decided to press on thru the delta for Stockton another 80 miles of river sailing
arriving too late for the beer can race at 7:45 sailing into our slip.
Many thanks to the merit 25 Columbia River sailors for their advice and hospitality. I do regret not making it to Portland and racing with the famous merit fleet.
We spend several days in Astoria a historic town known for its ships, salmon fishing and timber. We really appreciated
the camaraderie and hospitality of the Astoria Yacht Club. A group of die hard sailors with the largest concentration of
Olson 30s on the west coast sailing in the mouth of the Columbia River next to the infamous Columbia sand bar that
has been named the graveyard of the pacific for the hundreds of ships and lives lost. This was too much of a challenge
for three Delta Bay sailors and raced in the Astoria yc memorial race with our loaded to the hilt J35. Even after taking
two seconds and a first across the finish line we finished 4th overall thanks to our low PHRF rating. (No credit for our
payload roller furler etc). We really fell in love with Astoria, and it easily ranks as the best place we visited on the
west coast from Canada to California. Since there are no merits in Astoria I would appreciate it if someone would relay
my comments to the Astoria YC. I hope to come back with one of my Merits and sail in the river again.
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A Community Organization Dedicated To Sheer Joy of Boating
AYC NEWSLETTER
Astoria Yacht Club
West End Mooring Basin
300 Industry St., Suite 201
P.O. Box 323
Astoria, OR 97103
Astoria Yacht Club was established on October 16, 1931 by Edward C. Judd, H.L. Edling andA.C.
Fulton, residents of Astoria, Oregon. Throughout the years, Astoria Yacht Club has carried on the
tradition of hosting various exciting and unique regattas, cruises, and other functions involving
good food and fellowship with other yacht club members.
We are located at the West End Mooring Basin, just upstairs on the northwest corner above Tiki
Charters.
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