Russians are coming

Terrance Phillips

“The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming,” is being heard

throughout the America’s Cup syndicates in Auckland, New Zealand.

Now there are 12 - 12 teams to compete for sailing’s most prestigious

crown. The Ruskies were not expected to even show up in Auckland, there

are no reports the team was praticing in some remote Siberian-type place,

no knowledge of a boat being constructed, in fact, even when approached,

the Russians were more tight-lipped than prior to “Glasnost.”

I understand that financing the vodka vessel comes from Anna. No, not

princess Anna, not Boris’ daughter, but “Anorexic.”

In addition, the Kiwi KGB has found no hotel, homes, trailers or tents

where the team would lodge. Rumor has it the team woud sleep on their

race boat. Now, if you’ve ever peeked below decks of a racing boat, you

know that sleeping arrangements are more than skimpy.

This could only mean more weight and more confusion. In any event, who

knows? Maybe they’ll pull a rabbit out of a hat and surprise the world.

We wish them well in a race that is an competitive as the sport gets.

The “Auld Mug,” a garish silver urn-shaped monster that would’t get a

second look at a garage sale, is in high demand. This is the first time

since the Newport Harbor Yacht Club sponsored the “Eagle” campaign back

in 1987 that our town has any major connection to the race.

Rod Davis skippered Eagle in that campaign. However, the boat suffered

from the “escargot” factor. Davis later married a New Zealand lady and is

now coach of the Italian boat, “Team Prada.”

The Westerly boat yard in Costa Mesa constructed the Paul Cayard boat

and his AmericaOne Syndicate.

Newport’s Chris Coffin, CFO of the America True Syndicate, with lady

skipper Dawn Riley giving out the orders, has put together a formidable

team and campaign, as well.

Hopefully, one of these two racing giants will bring back tghat “Mug,”

even though the trophy is beyond ugly.

The only problem I have is that AmnericaOne is sponsored by the St.

Francis Yacht Club and America True by the San Francisco Yacht Club. That

means WHEN one of them win the cup, it will reside in Northern Cal. It

would be nice to have it right here in Newport Berach, wouldn’t it? Clubs

of Newport, unite!

The weather is telling us it’s time for hot toddies. Commencing Oct.

17, the “Hot Rum” race series begins its season. The four-race Sunday

event concludes each race with a barbecue and plenty of hot rum drinks.

The races will be held Oct. 17, Nov. 21, Jan. 16 and Feb. 13. Final

trophies will be given out on Opening Day at the Newport Beach Yacht

Club. For information and registration, contact race committee chairman

Fred Masino of the NBYC at (949) 723-5107.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, the Women’s Ocean Sailing Association will

sponsor a “Sail For The Blind and Visually Impaired.”

The event is hosted by the American Legion Yacht Club, Post 291, and

welcomes boats from the community and other yacht clubs to participate in

this worthwhile event. There will be a post-sail social hour with

refreshments and entertainment in the American Legion patio. To receive

additional information about how to volunteer in any way or to offer your

time and boat, contact Bonnie Gibson at (949) 631-4869 or

[email protected]

TERRANCE PHILLIPS’ boating column appears every Friday. He is at (949)

760-0221.