Looking Forward to Fall ... and Maybe NZ

Come Sail Fall Series

September 17 2013

In this issue we really only have three stories and two, from Jeff and the 'Kids' are important so I have left them long. I hope you enjoy reading and realize the substance of what your support is helping Oakcliff do. Also there is still a lot of racing for you to do. Come and join us in American and Manhasset Fall Series. We are right this minute working on which boats to enter so please do sign up on the CALENDAR.

In This Issue

A quick San Francisco Report

Farr 40 Wrap Up and Video

Jeff MacFarlane - Poised to Make History

Can the Kiwis Fight off American Ingenuity?

Boats literally went too fast & out of frame

By today I am positive that every person reading this email has seen the America's Cup racing. I was lucky enough to be in San Francisco where I made 7 appearances in 4 days and got to see pretty much anyone I have every sailed or worked with.

In the last newsletter I mentioned that two weeks ago when I was in Porto Cervo there were rumors that could be directly traced to the New Zealand camp saying Oracle was definitely faster. I knew for sure that that was typical kiwi counter intelligence and ETNZ was faster. What I don't think anyone realized was how fast Oracle was going to be able to catch up.

I was surprised to learn how much time the International Jury proceedings had taken from senior management and it is almost like they were in a fog dealing with that and now - BOOM - they are back and making drastic changes in the boat and a bit less so to the team. I have it on good authority that John Kostecki was totally OK with changing out the tactician. Whatever is best for the team.

So now the ball is back in ETNZ's court. They have excelled with excellent management, hard focused work. Using budgets to the maximum and sailed steady and consistent. That usually wins the war but there are still a few more exiting races to be won first.

I'll be watching from the plane today as I'm headed to China for a conference that has little to do with sailing but I am honored to be included. It is a BMW Quant Foundation think tank where we will be talking about sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Farr 40 Kids Wrap.. Up

Final Debrief:

Racing for the Farr 40 Worlds and the Oakcliff Youth Farr 40 Racing programme concluded on Friday with the final two races of the series. We went into the day hopeful of beating out our Corinthian competition, White Knight, for the Corinthian trophy. They had a lead of 6 points on us, and we knew this was going to very difficult to overcome. The first race of the day was looking

promising and we were sailing quite well but the rest of the fleet was as well. In one of the closest first mark roundings of the event, there were hardly more than 20 lengths from the first boat to the fifteenth after the first beat. However, by the end of the race, even the smallest of errors and boat-speed differences meant that those feet translated directly into the loss of a boat. A foot or two lost here, a boat or two lost there. The fleet is relentless in its punishment of errors. We ended with a 14 and White Knight a 13; not exactly the direction we needed to head.

The second race went on to see us ahead of White Knight by some lengths, but then to lose by a matter of only feet after needing to do a penalty turn just meters from the finish. In the end, the point spread was nine points in White Knight's favor.

When we look at the scores, the team is first disappointed that we did not post a couple more solid finishes or continue with our momentum from Pre Worlds, where we were top Corinthian boat. However, when we look deeper, it's clear to us how far we've come. Pre Worlds and Worlds mark a monumental improvement from our first class event at the NYYC Annual Regatta. There, we didn't beat a single boat. In fact, far from it; we were struggling to keep up at the tail end.

North Americans marked a turning point; we beat one boat in one race. Not quite inspired. However, at Worlds we were never NOT in the mix. It was always a battle and we proved we weren't there just to make it a 15 boat Worlds. We crossed ahead of former World Champions in many races, often battling tooth and nail with them for each point until the very end. Often, it didn't go our way, but in some brilliant moments, it did. We rounded in third at a weather mark as a highlight and often had better leeward mark roundings than the competitors around us; a testament to the bow team! At Annual Regatta there was a sense of awe and timidity that showed itself in our tactics. This had nearly evaporated by Worlds, and we were able to assert ourselves and truly take part, rather than be also-rans. We had paid our dues. We were finally able to control our own destiny on the course. I think that we have performed at a level belying our experience and in doing so have accomplished our true goal of emphatically introducing ourselves on a grand prix stage to some world-class sailors and earning something very much like respect. Though I don't hesitate to say we have a long way to go, we've also come so far.

In the end, we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to compete in the Farr 40 Class this summer. We have all learned a great deal about all aspects of racing: tactics, strategy, boat preparation, tuning, team management, and the list goes on. We owe a huge thanks to Oakcliff, first of all, for doing so much to get us on the line at worlds; from the boat, to entry fees, to help with logistics, coaching, and just simple advice. Further, thanks to the Farr 40 class, particularly Tink Chambers and Geoff Stagg who were so patient and helpful in all areas of the class and every competitor who leant us their ears and contributed even a snippet of knowledge and many who gave much more. All of these guys-the management and the competitors-are irreplaceable; they are the reason that the Farr 40 is still a premier class, even years after earning its tenure. And finally, thanks to our great sponsors: New England Boatworks, Newport Shipyard, Ronstan, Myna, Robline, Composite Rigging and the individual contributors who all played integral rolls in our campaign. We are supremely grateful to have had your support in this effort and cannot thank you enough!

If you would still like to donate to support programs like this you are very welcome.

PS - here is a video of the event and you can see the kids in dark grey shirts - HIKING HARD.

Jeff MacFarlane - An Open Letter to Supporters

This was the lead story in Scuttlebutt but just incase you haven't seen it. Jeff was back at Oakcliff for the final Classics Summer Prizegivign and the Grade 2. Was great to see him and finance Laura. They didn't bring Kate the dog but .. that was OK :-)

One mission he had was to pick up Oakcliff hull stickers. The ones size that we have on the Match 40s are too big to fit on the hull. He needed the same size as we put on the 49er and Nacras. That should give you SOME idea of how small this boat is.

Here is my favorite paragraph from his report. "I am very excited for the race to begin. Than you to Oakcliff Sailing and all of you that have supported my campaign. My success is due to you." I would add - it is due to Jeff's immense talent and even more impressive commitment to do what some might have said was impossible.

Click here to read the full story - it is a MUST READ!

Jeff's budget is still extremely tight. If you would like to donate to his campaign please go here.

So one more reminder - come join us at Oakcliff.

There is still a lot of sailing to happen this Fall.�

Sincerely,

Dawn Riley
Oakcliff Sailing Center