The SPRING 2008 WORLD FIZZ CUP started in April 25 th and will end in June 8th.

Some key numbers (red dot line shows where we are today):

At the conclusion of the Qualification phase, the twelve top ranked skippers advance to the GOLD quarter finals of the FLYING FIZZ WORLD CUP where they will participate in unusual 3-boat match races. The 13th to 30th ranked skippers advance to the SILVER quarter finals of the FLYING FIZZ WORLD CUP where they will participate in a regatta (3 groups of 6 boats). Eighteen skippers will race the quarter final ragattas, before the 9 top ranked of them advance to the SILVER semi finals, where they will participate in unusual 3-boat match races too.

As defined from the beginning, the winner of the SILVER CUP is automatically qualified to participate in GOLD Final. The 2 others finalists of the SILVER CUP (2nd and 3rd) are automatically qualified to join the GOLD semi final (one in each semi final).

The Best is still to come…

It is remarquable to notice, that at the conclusion of the Qualification phase,

- there is only a 1 second gap between 1st and 2nd
- there is only a 6 seconds gap between 12th (GOLD) and 13th (SILVER)
- there is only a 14 seconds gap between 30th (SILVER) and 31st (Not Qualified)

All coming race will use a Scoring System based on ISAF Appendix A, best 4 of 5 races (worst result is discarded):

- 1st : 0.75 points
- 2nd : 2 points
- 3rd (and DNF/DSQ for 3-boat match races): 3 points
- …
- 6th (and DNF/DSQ for regattas): 6 points

Following pictures show the diagram principles of GOLD and SILVER cups, dates, and groups assignments:

About Group assignments

and to avoid further discussion, criterias were the following:

1°) Ranking
2°) Mix of groups used during qualification phase
3°) Mix of nationality
4°) and… arbitral and unilateral decision of the CUP Director…

About Course charts

Each event will use a new and undisclosed course chart. Information will be provided max. 7 days before the event. Here again is it an arbitral and unilateral decision of the CUP Director, the one all of you will hate soon.

About Weather Forecast

Well…remember:

- ” The pessimist complains about the wind, optimistic hopes that will change, realistic adjusts his sails” (William Arthur Ward). Weather forecast is not always an exact science… but some say that sunny days could favorise lower winds…

- Qualification phase met strong winds, under the sign of “f you want to go on the sea, without any risk of capsizing, then do not buy a boat, buy an island!” (Marcel Pagnol), and all sailors capsized at least once, no exception, but Finals phase should allow more strategies, tactics to emphase sailing skills, allow windshadowing and….will see.

About rules

Rules will be enforced, and on-water (flying?) umpires will be briefed to apply them. They will particulary focuse on pre-start and characteristics on a 3-boat match race.
Remember also, even if we haven’t seen any whale for a while in the seas arounding Hollywood, “When a 45-ton whale comes starboard, it has ROW. When you think about it, when it comes to port it as ROW as well” (Olivier De Kersauson).

Last minute: about TIDAL CURRENT

Contrary to what we though some months ago while preparing this Cup, it seems that the USS sailing area, and the areas we will use for finals courses, are not fully covered with this feature. This GREAT new feature is managed by a dedicated server “out-world” and it supposes to have a mapping of the terrain and then to apply the fluid dynamics model on it. Terraforming, news sims may slow down the process. Thus, even if the Flying Fizz is able to send requests to this server today, the server doesn’t transmit any values if it has no corresponding mapping info. It could work everywhere but will be not acurate before the mapping is fully completed. As a consequence of that, and as course charts use areas with a mapping done and areas without the mapping done, it makes difficult to use it, especially at sims crossing.

Thus, today, decision has been taken to NOT use the Current Tidal feature. This could change in next weeks if concerned sims data are entered in this server.

Midterm Statement at the conclusion of the Qualification phase

Pros:
- Cup committee receive a great feedback of all competitors
- Very few SL or race accidents. Top ranking shows a good mix of groups racing at different timeslots. It seems TD and sims conditions didn’t affect the results in an obvious way.
- Very few PROTEST shouts to manage
- Some risks (such as the famous Fizz Cheat) have been handled by concerned people in a perfect way and short time.

Cons:
There are a lot, and experience is a sum of mistakes, but hopefully most of them have been managed in backoffice by the Fizz Cup Committee, we hope in a transparent way for the skippers.

In conclusion, a GREAT SHOW is STILL TO COME at SYC… and SYC Staff is working on some events to provide FUN to EVERYBODY, Sailors and/or spectators, STAY TUNED !

1°) Thanks to all competitors, to all Yacht Clubs and their staff. All of you made a great job until now, and will do in next weeks. Specials thanks to (no order): Mothgirl, Taku, Jane, Epi, Toru, Yuu, Alain, Chaos, Cory, Francois, Sirkis, Marktwain, Nber, Chad, Aislin, Liv, Joja, Weston, Fanci, Svar…and so many others….they know why….

2°) CALL for CONTRIBUTION: If you have any skills to make movies, as reporter or photograph… the FIZZ CUP needs you! Marktwain wrote: “The World Fizz Cup …. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I think this Cup event will eclipse all other past Cup events as something that will fundamental change the SL Sailing commmunity. The size of the turn out, the emphasis on sailing education…”
Well I don’t want to eclipse any past events, but I think this Cup could justify some movies shots and if we can get this event recognized and memorized…