198 replies to this topic

[I Am Spartan]

got down to 700, but now up at 17k Just you wait till the next leg!

[crazy in virginia]

i did pretty well in the 1st leg. Has the 2nd leg started? I haven't been able to access their forum or seen anything re the start.

I said that I wouldnt but I am and not going too bad a the moment. Anyone else?

[crazy in virginia]

2nd leg restart Dec 12, forum will open when Route du Rhum ends. Their support dept replied w/in 24 hr to my inquire.

i did pretty well in the 1st leg. Has the 2nd leg started? I haven't been able to access their forum or seen anything re the start.

I said that I wouldnt but I am and not going too bad a the moment. Anyone else?

[Swanno (Ohf Shore)]

Finally finished.

[albanyguy]

Finally finished.

Took you long enough! Got within 400nm of you and I started 2 weeks late...hehe
Bring on 12 Dec when the real action begins

[Marvin]

7798th... I guess it's not so bad after spending a few weeks around 22000 early on. That's what happens when you start late and find your self committed to the eastern route (it's my excuse and i'm sticking to it...)

Bring on the second leg!

See you all in a few weeks!

WildThing

[Swanno (Ohf Shore)]

Finally finished.

Took you long enough! Got within 400nm of you and I started 2 weeks late...hehe
Bring on 12 Dec when the real action begins

yeah yeah i gave you long enough to catch me and you still couldnt!

haha

I was going east then changed my mind. got stuck going down the middle.

The best run I had was in the last three days to the finish.

[psyclone]

Im in again much to the disgust of my wife lol!I think i finished leg 1 around the 1500-2000 mark..........Racing as Psyclone once again. GO Queenslander!

[pogen]

OK, I finally finished 16269th. I started late, was thrown in at around 18,600 managed to get headed overnight (+3000) and hit and island (+4000) so was at 26,000 for a while then painfully clawed my way back up. Probably helped by a lot of people bagging it before the end.

So -- lessons learned --- don't hit land, and don't trust the heading setting too much, it seems to be imprecise/coarse. And you have to check frequently! I also hit a rock in the RdR, I set a hot angle at around 0900 local time thinking I would jibe before the end of the work day but forgot to check back in, it cost me 4500 -> 9000 or something.

My daughter quit the Velux game because she got frustrated that the software froze and wouldn't let her change her sail to a spin from jib when she was running deep, for about a day straight. I'm going to try Ocean Virtuel for my next big race, see if the interface is better.

[Asmodeus]

Finished 309th first leg. Really pleased as I don't use an autobot and only mild weather routing prediction (eyeballing grib's). Surprising weather - having to go west and so far (to the Azores) after the start. Had a glitch in the course programmer ended up with me losing 60nm in a back track just south of the Azores Seem to be a few "hidden" rocks not appearing on the main game charts at highest resolution - I didn't hit any but noticed a few others had.
Have setup WestOz group if any other West Aussies want to group up - racing as Supergene - no not ego, a geological term

[pogen]

I wasn't looking at real world GRIBs to check against the race winds -- do they correlate well?

The display of wind sucks, the wind arrows vanish as you zoom out as I am sure you all know. No need for that!

edit: impressive result Asmodeus, must be nice to have Satan as BFF!

[Asmodeus]

I use a polar chart downloaded from http://www.vrtoutoulz.fr/polars/ - just do the text to columns sort in excel to make it friendly. I regularly look at real weather grib files to see which way the weather patterns are changing - cannot trust the games 12 hr + weather predictions - real weather forecasts change too much to rely on specific game "cell" forecasts. Run the game whilst real working, checking every hour or so and particularly checking weather gribs from 3-4 hours after weather update in game. Though the 12 hr locked in weather pattern of the game makes optimising close targets easy.

Game strategy is:
- have initial plan before leg start from looking at weather grib files before start, considering normal high probability real world courses (ie down Atlantic - normally south to canaries just west of Cape Verde and cross equator from 26 to 28W - but this time was very different) and determine targets to get to (ie 1st leg Azores looked only place to go) by certain time frame, first target most important of course, and have sub targets to get there.
- look for best route to each intermediate target based on polar chart and winds - really just an "eyeballing" weather routing, but more fun that way - and review overall strategy for leg each day changing targets as weather pattern forecasts change.
- most important focus is to reach the next target on time, and where the forecast is heading/changing (weather pattern movements)
- and, as you said have the devil in the crew

this is probably just "preaching to the converted" and probably much less than a lot do - there does seem a lot of talk about lots of players using bots to automate everything - takes the fun right out of it.


I should get the latest version of Expedition and load the same weather grib files the game uses at the 12hr time slots - would make the game easier with proper weather routing and also get/keep the skills up for real ocean racing. A benefit of the game for all of us that ocean race - can do some more serious practice.

[Swanno (Ohf Shore)]

holey moley thats complicated. I just log on and change my direction, and if I see a nice bit of breeze coming i try to get ahead of it.

[pogen]

Thanks Asmodeus, I'm still figuring out how the 12 steps in the wind work, I think on the 12-hr mark they put in a whole new vector field close to, but not quite was was forecast? And then that field is frozen for the next 12 hour period? Thus you can get rather abruptly headed if you don't check right after the winds change.

I'm sure it is all spelled out on their forum or FAQ somewhere...

[Asmodeus]

Thanks Asmodeus, I'm still figuring out how the 12 steps in the wind work, I think on the 12-hr mark they put in a whole new vector field close to, but not quite was was forecast? And then that field is frozen for the next 12 hour period? Thus you can get rather abruptly headed if you don't check right after the winds change.

I'm sure it is all spelled out on their forum or FAQ somewhere...

Yep, the actual winds at the time of the update are locked for the next 12 hrs, so are the forecasts for +12, 24 etc

But the forecasts always vary to the actual winds when that time comes round - I always review the real actual wind and newer forecasts each 3hrs if possble after the game winds update - shows how accurate/inaccurate the game forecasts prove to be and what winds you will be facing - also gives indications as to how weather patterns are actually moving in relation to the forecasts - makes a huge difference in "feeling" that a low/high system is moving through faster/slower than forecast/predicted. An example - nothing worse than planning/setting up to ride a nice system across the south atlantic, getting to that point only to find on the next game weather update that you are on the back of it or miss it due to it moving faster than forecast. The sooner you know the sooner you can adjust to make the best of it.

[Asmodeus]

Another tool that does weather routing f the actualgame winds (timing inked etc) is http://sail.zezo.org/velux/charts.html

Just read the how to, put in your start point and destination (with right clicks) and it calculates the best course etc. I have found this useful in comparing long term strategy and also close targets but it has limitations. Its like a mini game specific version of Expedition but has limited comparison of routes (angle off rumbline to calculate) and other shortcomings, but for its size and open availability is excellent for no cost. An example of shortcoming is heading to the Azores for 1st leg - which was too wide course off rumbline for the zezo program to compare/calc. It also does not exactly calc the dist's between diff lat's long's exactly right which means be very careful relying on for multiple days planning. But the overall limitation in weather routing is the difference between what is forecast and what actually happens so more often best to play safe routes to help guarratee you get in the best favourable winds and not over-analysing to just get onto a favouable pattern that 99.999% probably won't occur exactly as forecast. The old rule that the longer out the forecast is the less precise it will be.

Sorry my replies are longwinded. To sum up I think its easier for less time on the game to strategise what weather pattens you want to be on and when and then use tools like above and more detailed analysis on the very short term routes/targets.

[sodall2doo]

Pogen you have 3 peeps wanting to join your group

BnM

[sodall2doo]

If you guy's wish to try a more realistic online Yachting game try www.sailonline.org ....... but be warned it is way more difficult than VR as it updates in real time !

chris

Billy no Mates SA

[Icedtea]

Sail online is painfully realistic...
I just don't have the time for it

[sodall2doo]

Sail online is painfully realistic...
I just don't have the time for it

The only real difference between SOL and the real thing ...... is that you don't get wet ! other than that SOL is full on, 'painfully realistic' would be a very good analogy to be honest

Billy no Mates SA

[nq66]

Are we all ready for the start in about 6.5 hrs time.It looks like due south is the way to go for the first 24hrs or so. Anyone else see an other option!!!!?

[yoyoboy]

"Volvo 5 Ocean Race"?
Anyone else notice this?

[nq66]

and were off
ps i did notice the volvo 5 are they trying to cash in

[Marvin]

Has anyone figured out how to get rid of that right hand side column in the new layout? I want my big map back....

WildThing

[pogen]

It goes away in full screen mode.

Even though I didn't wake up at 0400 local, the game threw me in with a decent heading and I am ok at 5755 now.

[yoyoboy]

So what do you guys think?
Head due south, eat the light spot to get to more pressure on the other side?
Or stay further north and sail east closehauled?

[nq66]

So what do you guys think?
Head due south, eat the light spot to get to more pressure on the other side?
Or stay further north and sail east closehauled?

what is your boat name or just follow me 'wild boys'

[pogen]

I'm for the south. 1600th, never been higher.


Hey Ohf Shore, wake up mate!

[redboat]

What the hell? Might as well play a bit.

Started this AM as Falke.

[MR.CLEAN]

Does the game start when the real race starts? Race postponed this morning with 40+ knots on the deck.

[yoyoboy]

Clean- The race has started, which is kind of too bad because it's cool to see how you are doing against the real boat/ where they are going.
wild thing- I'm Larrabee, about 44 miles north east of you.

[Marvin]

wild thing- I'm Larrabee, about 44 miles north east of you.

Gotcha! Enjoy the ride...

I though we were done going uphill for a while though... Sigh...

[yoyoboy]

Ya this sucks, I almost turned back north to get that in shore breeze in 36 hours, but I don't see that paying out in the long run.
If you buy upgrades, do they last for the rest of the race, or only that leg.
Are any you guys running upgrade?

[pogen]

No we are all too cheap and would rather HTFU anyway.

[DRIFTW00D]

Kinda looks like something from any Friday here on SA

Velux 5 Oceans - Leg 2

Does Clean have a dog in this fight?

[albanyguy]

No we are all too cheap and would rather HTFU anyway.

Speak for yourself there pogen - I got some serious real sailing to do over the next three weeks and I don't think the laptop will survive getting thrown around the boat and getting a tad wet. Think the auto pilot will get a bit of workout over the next few weeks.

In answer to your question yoyo - the options are for the whole of the rest of the race. If you want a life get the options.

[Just Bob]

Kinda looks like something from any Friday here on SA

Velux 5 Oceans - Leg 2

Does Clean have a dog in this fight?

Is that link showing the complete field?

[albanyguy]

Kinda looks like something from any Friday here on SA

Velux 5 Oceans - Leg 2

Does Clean have a dog in this fight?

Is that link showing the complete field?

yep

[Marvin]

Kinda looks like something from any Friday here on SA

Velux 5 Oceans - Leg 2

Does Clean have a dog in this fight?

INteresting to see all the "with options" (french Avec Options) boats in red up in the front....

As Albanyguy said, the options are only worthwhile in my mind if you expect to be away from your computer for the wind changes,,, the extra performance from the special sails are nice also. I used them back in the 08 Vendee but not this time around...

WildThing

[yoyoboy]

So the real boats have started, any idea when they will show up on the map?
Also, any wagers on which one of us chumps Brad Van Liew passes first?

[Marvin]

So the real boats have started, any idea when they will show up on the map?
Also, any wagers on which one of us chumps Brad Van Liew passes first?

The real boats didn't appear on the map during the first leg...

I just noticed though that the V5O race viewer now has a PredictWind Weather Analysis menu that loads a tracker on the PredictWind website that provides better tracking than the V5O viewer and it display winds...

[yoyoboy]

The real boats didn't appear on the map during the first leg...

Lame...

[albanyguy]

I just noticed though that the V5O race viewer now has a PredictWind Weather Analysis menu that loads a tracker on the PredictWind website that provides better tracking than the V5O viewer and it display winds...

Where? Do you mind doin a screen dump and showing us what you mean coz I can't see anything different on my screen, but then again I have been awake for the last 20 hours and consumed a reasonable amount of alcohol in the last 3

[Marvin]

I just noticed though that the V5O race viewer now has a PredictWind Weather Analysis menu that loads a tracker on the PredictWind website that provides better tracking than the V5O viewer and it display winds...

Where? Do you mind doin a screen dump and showing us what you mean coz I can't see anything different on my screen, but then again I have been awake for the last 20 hours and consumed a reasonable amount of alcohol in the last 3

It's on the dark horizontal band at the top of the race viewer screen (top right-hand corner under the word Wellington)... all it does is open a new page at the PW site http://forecast.pred...d.com/tracking/

[albanyguy]

I just noticed though that the V5O race viewer now has a PredictWind Weather Analysis menu that loads a tracker on the PredictWind website that provides better tracking than the V5O viewer and it display winds...

Where? Do you mind doin a screen dump and showing us what you mean coz I can't see anything different on my screen, but then again I have been awake for the last 20 hours and consumed a reasonable amount of alcohol in the last 3

It's on the dark horizontal band at the top of the race viewer screen (top right-hand corner under the word Wellington)... all it does is open a new page at the PW site http://forecast.pred...d.com/tracking/

All I see in the horizontal band that I think you're talking about from left to right are the menu options for the game on the left, YouTube & Facebook icons,Search, OK then French & British flags. No Wellington. I'm a visual person hence the reason for the request for the screen dump to be posted here. Anyone see what Marvin sees?

[Marvin]

I just noticed though that the V5O race viewer now has a PredictWind Weather Analysis menu that loads a tracker on the PredictWind website that provides better tracking than the V5O viewer and it display winds...

Where? Do you mind doin a screen dump and showing us what you mean coz I can't see anything different on my screen, but then again I have been awake for the last 20 hours and consumed a reasonable amount of alcohol in the last 3

It's on the dark horizontal band at the top of the race viewer screen (top right-hand corner under the word Wellington)... all it does is open a new page at the PW site http://forecast.pred...d.com/tracking/

All I see in the horizontal band that I think you're talking about from left to right are the menu options for the game on the left, YouTube & Facebook icons,Search, OK then French & British flags. No Wellington. I'm a visual person hence the reason for the request for the screen dump to be posted here. Anyone see what Marvin sees?

Sorry, my bad... I meant the race viewer screen on the Velux 5 Oceans website, not the Virtual Regatta site... http://raceviewer.ve....html?locale=EN

[yoyoboy]

Hey somebody wake up reckless. Just cuz the shortest distance to the other side might be straight across Antarctica(is it? I'm bad at this whole round geometry thing) doesn't mean it's the fastest way by boat.

[albanyguy]

I just noticed though that the V5O race viewer now has a PredictWind Weather Analysis menu that loads a tracker on the PredictWind website that provides better tracking than the V5O viewer and it display winds...

Where? Do you mind doin a screen dump and showing us what you mean coz I can't see anything different on my screen, but then again I have been awake for the last 20 hours and consumed a reasonable amount of alcohol in the last 3

It's on the dark horizontal band at the top of the race viewer screen (top right-hand corner under the word Wellington)... all it does is open a new page at the PW site http://forecast.pred...d.com/tracking/

All I see in the horizontal band that I think you're talking about from left to right are the menu options for the game on the left, YouTube & Facebook icons,Search, OK then French & British flags. No Wellington. I'm a visual person hence the reason for the request for the screen dump to be posted here. Anyone see what Marvin sees?

Sorry, my bad... I meant the race viewer screen on the Velux 5 Oceans website, not the Virtual Regatta site... http://raceviewer.ve....html?locale=EN

There's a banner on the virtual regatta page now underneath the game view partiof the window. Just scroll down when you're 'playing'

[DRIFTW00D]

Hey somebody wake up reckless. Just cuz the shortest distance to the other side might be straight across Antarctica(is it? I'm bad at this whole round geometry thing) doesn't mean it's the fastest way by boat.

South to WIND!

Southern Ocean Allstars

[albanyguy]

Hey somebody wake up reckless. Just cuz the shortest distance to the other side might be straight across Antarctica(is it? I'm bad at this whole round geometry thing) doesn't mean it's the fastest way by boat.

South to WIND!

Southern Ocean Allstars

Now that brings back memories. Where's the 40kn+ winds this time round?

[Windy Rucker]

My boat is bevvy, and I'm going very slowly in 21000th place! The skipper of our real-life boat is in 1500th place. Maybe that's why he does tactics and helm, and I'm just the trimmer?

[DRIFTW00D]

My boat is bevvy, and I'm going very slowly in 21000th place! The skipper of our real-life boat is in 1500th place. Maybe that's why he does tactics and helm, and I'm just the trimmer?

Not just, YOU ARE A TRIMMER. What kind of boat is Zanzara? What doses Zanzara mean?

In this game I think "real racers" are a rare thing. Did you just start V-racing online with this game?

Your track looks good, You got to go round the light spots an stay in da wind mon.

This is how I do it fast .

[sodall2doo]

Well done Marvin you sailed a good race ...... I'll have to try harder on the next leg And a Happy new Year to you and everyone else who is doing this race eh.

Billy no Mates SA

[Windy Rucker]

Hi, Drift - I replied on the game as well!
Zanzara is a Sigma 38 out of Lymington / Cowes, UK. i believe Zanzara is spanish for mosquito, in the 'Spanish Fly' sense of the word.
Still 1644 Miles to go - 's what happens when you only look at it four times a day!
Cheers,
Rucker

[sodall2doo]

My boat is bevvy, and I'm going very slowly in 21000th place! The skipper of our real-life boat is in 1500th place. Maybe that's why he does tactics and helm, and I'm just the trimmer?

Not just, YOU ARE A TRIMMER. What kind of boat is Zanzara? What doses Zanzara mean?

In this game I think "real racers" are a rare thing. Did you just start V-racing online with this game?

Your track looks good, You got to go round the light spots an stay in da wind mon.

This is how I do it fast .

This also helps .....


http://www.pacotool.fr



B n M SA

[Somebody Else]

Gybe, Brad!

Cover the competition in the race to the gate!!

[albanyguy]

I just use this




Haven't got time to use Expedition or zezo or any other tools.

[Windy Rucker]

I'm not sure I'm in it for the technotools on offer!
I'd really like to do it for real, but I can't afford it, so I'll just do my best, with the tools available in VR.
I'm with albanyguy - just try and get there with what I've got!
Cheers,
Oh, and Happy New Year!

[Asmodeus]

I just use this


Haven't got time to use Expedition or zezo or any other tools.

Yep, should have 3 divisions - impossible to police though - full autobots, those using Exped/Zezo, and those just using weather gribs/nothing.

I used Exped and Zezo for this leg - resulted in improvement from 307th in 1st leg to 43rd in 2nd. Also a lot less time with computerised weather routing (not so much checking changes to forecasts - weather routers show best options), though fully manual course programming. Need to be careful with zezo as has a few flaws, use fully manual (brain) for close tactical stuff, like last 2 days of leg 2. Using Exped gives a lot of practice for real sailing (though game flaw of 12 hour locked in winds).

Autobots probably never need to look at the game after the start - the computer programs/course changes everything for them - noticed a few front runners with similar names and identical tracks (even at max zoom resolution which is impossible for manual input) - only few minor changes in last 2 days.

[DRIFTW00D]

Yep, should have 3 divisions - impossible to police though - full autobots, those using Exped/Zezo, and those just using weather gribs/nothing.


Autobots probably never need to look at the game after the start - the computer programs/course changes everything for them - noticed a few front runners with similar names and identical tracks (even at max zoom resolution which is impossible for manual input) - only few minor changes in last 2 days.

More divisions, try to tell the games admin that.

Im a 5000 racer brain powered and too much time spent online. With zezo.org Im in the top 100 no options boats easy. With a lot Less time spent planning and better results. Like the Winners around the real world who use Expedition for help offshore, Zezo sees stuff Id never catch.

Interesting comment about Bot Boats. They were killing the game last year. Mining should have stopped when Manyplayers invoked the European Union standard for Illegal Data Mining and kicked out the botboats at the same time. That also killed the real fun with the other routing programs ( no more friends shown in them). But your saying THERE BACK. . and I did see some funny looking small saw tooth tracks from the leaders that looker like bot work. Interesting.

[Asmodeus]

Yep, should have 3 divisions - impossible to police though - full autobots, those using Exped/Zezo, and those just using weather gribs/nothing.


Autobots probably never need to look at the game after the start - the computer programs/course changes everything for them - noticed a few front runners with similar names and identical tracks (even at max zoom resolution which is impossible for manual input) - only few minor changes in last 2 days.

More divisions, try to tell the games admin that.

Im a 5000 racer brain powered and too much time spent online. With zezo.org Im in the top 100 no options boats easy. With a lot Less time spent planning and better results. Like the Winners around the real world who use Expedition for help offshore, Zezo sees stuff Id never catch.

Interesting comment about Bot Boats. They were killing the game last year. Mining should have stopped when Manyplayers invoked the European Union standard for Illegal Data Mining and kicked out the botboats at the same time. That also killed the real fun with the other routing programs ( no more friends shown in them). But your saying THERE BACK. . and I did see some funny looking small saw tooth tracks from the leaders that looker like bot work. Interesting.

I would bet that autobots are still being used - all someone would need is their own boats position data which they get direct from their page logon (and polars which we already use in weather routers). Both data are easily accessible from using Firefox or other webpage interrigator. But certainly there is no skill or fun in full auto-botting. The data-mining you refer to is only if you want to simultaneously track the positions of other boats on outside programmes. It would be very very simple to have an autobot pull your co-ordinates off your own boats login page (hell, we do it manually to plot into weather routers (Exped/Zezo)), and certainly nothing illegal or in fact MP could even do to findout someone is doing that - probably actually quite easy to even write simple routine to extract location from "friendslist" positional graphic data, without actually datamining MP's database on those boats names, as has been curtailed.

[Marvin]

Here we are back in the race for leg # 3...

I just noticed this morning that all the red dots are gone from the screen, only the green friends remain... There's a thread in French on the VR site but no answer yet; anyone else heard/read anything?

WildThing

[slap drone]

Here we are back in the race for leg # 3...

I just noticed this morning that all the red dots are gone from the screen, only the green friends remain... There's a thread in French on the VR site but no answer yet; anyone else heard/read anything?

WildThing

I have both red's and greens showing - had to zoom out so I could see the red's - haulin ass out in front of me!!
SD

[albanyguy]

Anyone else having problems getting the game page to load up?
Tried 3 times now and still hasn't loaded up after waiting 5 minutes each time.
I see there's a note about server maintenance from 0100+1UTC to 0400+1UTC on 16 Feb.

[albanyguy]

What to do once we turn the corner at the Cape. Left or right of the Falklands and that high pressure band north of the Falklands reminds me of a certain park up in the Vendee a couple of years ago

[Marvin]

What to do once we turn the corner at the Cape. Left or right of the Falklands and that high pressure band north of the Falklands reminds me of a certain park up in the Vendee a couple of years ago

Looks like a pretty long way going to the East of the Falklands... you would need some serious breeze to make up the difference I think...

WildThing

[albanyguy]

What to do once we turn the corner at the Cape. Left or right of the Falklands and that high pressure band north of the Falklands reminds me of a certain park up in the Vendee a couple of years ago

Looks like a pretty long way going to the East of the Falklands... you would need some serious breeze to make up the difference I think...

WildThing

Well I'm the guinea pig for those on here (I think ) so I guess I'll lead the way

Mirror Worlds 2011 A out

[Marvin]

What to do once we turn the corner at the Cape. Left or right of the Falklands and that high pressure band north of the Falklands reminds me of a certain park up in the Vendee a couple of years ago

Looks like a pretty long way going to the East of the Falklands... you would need some serious breeze to make up the difference I think...

WildThing

Well I'm the guinea pig for those on here (I think ) so I guess I'll lead the way

Mirror Worlds 2011 A out

I must admit I had my doubts when you took that flyer North back around 130º W, but it looks like it's paid off... So who am I to second guess you?

I just hope the conditions are right to shoot through Lemaire Straits and cut the corner...

[albanyguy]

I must admit I had my doubts when you took that flyer North back around 130º W, but it looks like it's paid off... So who am I to second guess you?

Yeah took a bit of a risk, got up to about 170th then hit a 3kn cell brick wall whilst all those that continued north sailed away and those south caught up. thankfully only leaked to about 550th and now taking some back. Billy No Mates (Sodall2do) suffered even worse.

[nq66]

I guess i am the trail blazer as i am about 50nm ahead of billy
Hey albanyguy i have forgotten your boat name

[Marvin]

I guess i am the trail blazer as i am about 50nm ahead of billy
Hey albanyguy i have forgotten your boat name

Nice job nq!

Albanyguy is "Mirror Worlds 2011 A"

[the loose cannon]

Well, so much for shooting the gap at the cape...and props to WildThing for doing such a great job on the dive down south! I slept through the turn and never got a chance to get down there. Can't wait to see if anyone makes it west of the falklands and who has the stones to go in between them....

[Marvin]

Well, so much for shooting the gap at the cape..

No kidding!!! nq, what's it like in there...?

I'll worry about the Falklands once I get around States Island, seems like it's going to take forever now...

[albanyguy]

I guess i am the trail blazer as i am about 50nm ahead of billy
Hey albanyguy i have forgotten your boat name

There always has to be one that slips thru the net.
Well done Wild Boys. Not sure going in there is best long term but we'll see.

[nq66]

I guess i am the trail blazer as i am about 50nm ahead of billy
Hey albanyguy i have forgotten your boat name

There always has to be one that slips thru the net.
Well done Wild Boys. Not sure going in there is best long term but we'll see.

Yeah you could be right but i will give it a go

[Boomberries]

I guess i am the trail blazer as i am about 50nm ahead of billy
Hey albanyguy i have forgotten your boat name

There always has to be one that slips thru the net.
Well done Wild Boys. Not sure going in there is best long term but we'll see.

Yeah you could be right but i will give it a go

Hey nq66 - sounds like you are still on top of your game with Wild Boys doing well. I kinda miss the virtual racing...maybe will be back for the VOR race. Have fun and good luck. : ) Is that Billy No Mates still heating up the course, too?

[nq66]

I guess i am the trail blazer as i am about 50nm ahead of billy
Hey albanyguy i have forgotten your boat name

There always has to be one that slips thru the net.
Well done Wild Boys. Not sure going in there is best long term but we'll see.

Yeah you could be right but i will give it a go

Hey nq66 - sounds like you are still on top of your game with Wild Boys doing well. I kinda miss the virtual racing...maybe will be back for the VOR race. Have fun and good luck. : ) Is that Billy No Mates still heating up the course, too?

Hey BB good to hear from you an yes still doin ok an billy is just behind keeping me honest.And we miss your girls.

[albanyguy]

I guess i am the trail blazer as i am about 50nm ahead of billy
Hey albanyguy i have forgotten your boat name

There always has to be one that slips thru the net.
Well done Wild Boys. Not sure going in there is best long term but we'll see.

Yeah you could be right but i will give it a go

Hey nq66 - sounds like you are still on top of your game with Wild Boys doing well. I kinda miss the virtual racing...maybe will be back for the VOR race. Have fun and good luck. : ) Is that Billy No Mates still heating up the course, too?

Hey BB good to hear from you an yes still doin ok an billy is just behind keeping me honest.And we miss your girls.

Think you forgot about someone in that statement nq
Anyway looks like that shortcut has paid off for you for now. Well done.
Have you noticed BNM's crazy track around some islands near Waddell Island? Thought he must have been on some strong English ale last night to attempt that!!
But that's nothing compared to the crackheads navigating thru the Falkland Sound!

[sodall2doo]

Hiyas BB ! hope you are okay ? We are all missing your girls here so its about time you got them back into action eh ?

cheers

BnM SA

It was actually Aussie wine that guided me through those islands Paul LOL !

[Boomberries]

Hiyas BB ! hope you are okay ? We are all missing your girls here so its about time you got them back into action eh ?
cheers
BnM SA

It was actually Aussie wine that guided me through those islands Paul LOL !

Hi back at ya BnM! Yeah... I miss the navigating, the challenge and the laughs with you guys .The game can be such a time suck, though. The "girls" are getting restless to get back in the game. Maybe the VOR.

I am well, thanks. I've been busy sailing every week, and getting ready to do an ocean race to Bermuda in June.
Good luck to you in your game and maybe see you guys on the virtual ocean in the fall.

[albanyguy]

Hiyas BB ! hope you are okay ? We are all missing your girls here so its about time you got them back into action eh ?

cheers

BnM SA

It was actually Aussie wine that guided me through those islands Paul LOL !

Who's Paul?
Haven't seen a Paul in this thread
Anyway I hope it was some good stuff, must have cost you a fortune with the GBP worth only about AUD10c these days...LOL

[Windy Rucker]

So, lying in 6844th, big hole between me and the finish.
Taken the decision to go round to the east of the hole, try and keep downwind all the way. See where that takes me!
Wish me luck!
Bevvy

[Marvin]

So, lying in 6844th, big hole between me and the finish.
Taken the decision to go round to the east of the hole, try and keep downwind all the way. See where that takes me!
Wish me luck!
Bevvy

That is one nasty hole that just won't go away...

All the best!

WildThing

[nq66]

tell me about it

[Windy Rucker]

Make a move, and the weather moves to thwart it.
It's moving east slowly now...

[albanyguy]

What you all complaining about? It's great out here on the left

Movin on up, movin on out.
See ya all on the dock at Punta

[the loose cannon]

What you all complaining about? It's great out here on the left

Movin on up, movin on out.
See ya all on the dock at Punta

Yeah, funny how all those add ons make you look so smart

Either way - well played - save me a beer at the bar.

[albanyguy]

What you all complaining about? It's great out here on the left

Movin on up, movin on out.
See ya all on the dock at Punta

Yeah, funny how all those add ons make you look so smart

Either way - well played - save me a beer at the bar.

Man if I didn't have those extras I'd never sleep nor get any work done. EUR20 well spent I reckon.

[the loose cannon]

What you all complaining about? It's great out here on the left

Movin on up, movin on out.
See ya all on the dock at Punta

Yeah, funny how all those add ons make you look so smart

Either way - well played - save me a beer at the bar.

Man if I didn't have those extras I'd never sleep nor get any work done. EUR20 well spent I reckon.

Truth be told, the really hard part about being corinthian, is when you need to go to bed about 4 hours before the night shift, and are forced to decide how much of a loss you are going to take while you are asleep. Go full bore under spinnaker up till 2am? (the time that the change happens hear on east coast usa) knowing that you are going to be 0.0 kts until you wake up or put up the jib, and get set to the upcoming angle and make 1.2 kts for the next 4 hours.

And no - there is no friggin way that I am going to wake up at 2AM every night to change direction - unless there is a lot of booze or money on the line

[Marvin]

Everybody ready to go for Sprint #4...?

Should be interesting.... Looks like we might get favorable conditions to push north right off the start...

[nq66]

Looks like we start in 10 hrs time are we all ready an willing an it looks like a easy start.

[albanyguy]

1st roadblock in the way. 2000hr wind change could make or break a few of us. Could be a bit of a lottery.

[nq66]

1st roadblock in the way. 2000hr wind change could make or break a few of us. Could be a bit of a lottery.

i think the game 2000hrs 31-03-11 will be the big one for you guys.

[albanyguy]

1st roadblock in the way. 2000hr wind change could make or break a few of us. Could be a bit of a lottery.

i think the game 2000hrs 31-03-11 will be the big one for you guys.

Only problem is I gotta be awake at 0200 to make the most of it
At least I now have an extra hour to try to get back to sleep before I gotta get up to go to work.

[Windy Rucker]

Why are all the VR arrows all pointing at me???

[the loose cannon]

Peace out guys - I am turning left for Brazil to find peace serenity and undervalued commodity stocks to invest in. This is far too boring and annoying to spend the time on.

See you in Charleston. The transatlantic run is always a lot of fun.

[Marvin]

Peace out guys - I am turning left for Brazil to find peace serenity and undervalued commodity stocks to invest in. This is far too boring and annoying to spend the time on.

See you in Charleston. The transatlantic run is always a lot of fun.

I hear the beaches in Rio are pretty good this time of year! Enjoy the scenery...

WildThing

[albanyguy]

Peace out guys - I am turning left for Brazil to find peace serenity and undervalued commodity stocks to invest in. This is far too boring and annoying to spend the time on.

See you in Charleston. The transatlantic run is always a lot of fun.

Yep certainly a bit of money to be made in Resources in Brazil atm..not to mention Argentina as well.
Was very tempted to divert to Rio a couple of days ago to check out the scenery but got back to the job.
I think the Rio option would've been better after the last few hours effort trying to get out of a HUUUGE hole!!!
Bugger this I'm going real sailing.

[K6BBQ]

I saw that this group is listed in the list of forums in the 2012 Vendee Globe game. I am also doing the race.