3834 replies to this topic

[Large Thomas]

Always thought that this race is about seamanship.... No matter which third you are in, this is an enormous challenge and all who made it to the start are pros. How many so called 'pros' were out before the race ended before???

For Mich Desj and quite a few others out there it's clearly a profession as much as it is a passion, which on a level is absolutely understandable. They're working hard around the year to be able to go out onto the water... and sure have fun. But in the back of their heads, it's clear that they make commitments to their sponsors as much as to their families, so I do see the point of it. That he had to make the point about "hippies" is typical, though, and it doesn't surprise me at all reading that from him. From his point of view these "hippies" must look like they're coming to a business meeting in sandals and shorts, not because they don't work hard as well, but mostly because they're not playing "by the rules" of his profession.
That this still means being a dick about sailing and the hard work and dedication that the "hippies" put into making their dreams work out is true nonetheless.

[MSafiri]

For Mich Desj and quite a few others out there it's clearly a profession as much as it is a passion, which on a level is absolutely understandable. They're working hard around the year to be able to go out onto the water... and sure have fun. But in the back of their heads, it's clear that they make commitments to their sponsors as much as to their families, so I do see the point of it. That he had to make the point about "hippies" is typical, though, and it doesn't surprise me at all reading that from him. From his point of view these "hippies" must look like they're coming to a business meeting in sandals and shorts, not because they don't work hard as well, but mostly because they're not playing "by the rules" of his profession.
That this still means being a dick about sailing and the hard work and dedication that the "hippies" put into making their dreams work out is true nonetheless.

Just as in any meetings, you can be the brightest of the crowd, if you dont have a tie your not a business man, you are not serious. A 'hippie' puts as much work, or probably more, just to be there as a pro. For a pro, winning is the goal, for a 'hippie', getting there is already winning, finishing it, is even more....though all of them are pro and damned good sailor.

[LeoV]

No, the hippie is a fluke, got sponsorship due to luck and little effort and not much of a sailing cv. Sometimes they play as if they are the new wonderboy.
Some are nice. But non have a serious role in the Vendee other then dock filling. Thats what MD was talking about.
The commited sailors who are not in their for the win but just to finnish, they deserve the credits.Some of those are professionals, some act as professionals due to sponsorship requirements. But htey never behave like a hippy. (and I looked like an old hippy, and only would have had sponsorship by luck )

[Large Thomas]

For Mich Desj and quite a few others out there it's clearly a profession as much as it is a passion, which on a level is absolutely understandable. They're working hard around the year to be able to go out onto the water... and sure have fun. But in the back of their heads, it's clear that they make commitments to their sponsors as much as to their families, so I do see the point of it. That he had to make the point about "hippies" is typical, though, and it doesn't surprise me at all reading that from him. From his point of view these "hippies" must look like they're coming to a business meeting in sandals and shorts, not because they don't work hard as well, but mostly because they're not playing "by the rules" of his profession.
That this still means being a dick about sailing and the hard work and dedication that the "hippies" put into making their dreams work out is true nonetheless.

Just as in any meetings, you can be the brightest of the crowd, if you dont have a tie your not a business man, you are not serious. A 'hippie' puts as much work, or probably more, just to be there as a pro. For a pro, winning is the goal, for a 'hippie', getting there is already winning, finishing it, is even more....though all of them are pro and damned good sailor.

Very much so, and while there may be a few of them who are there just because they're massively lucky, on a global scale, it still means they've worked hard and risked their personal life(style) for being there. That's surely where most of the "pros" once came from, but they've since outgrown it in a certain way. And as amateur-ish the "hippies" may look with the ressources and people they can employ, in a lot of cases it's the best they can do that they put in there to be in that spot.

But well, thus is great divide between the "lover" and the "vocational specialist". Though honestly, this time around, there's been none of the "hippies" at the start at all.

[Large Thomas]

No, the hippie is a fluke, got sponsorship due to luck and little effort and not much of a sailing cv. Sometimes they play as if they are the new wonderboy.
Some are nice. But non have a serious role in the Vendee other then dock filling. Thats what MD was talking about.
The commited sailors who are not in their for the win but just to finnish, they deserve the credits.Some of those are professionals, some act as professionals due to sponsorship requirements. But htey never behave like a hippy. (and I looked like an old hippy, and only would have had sponsorship by luck )

You may be right about some people, Leo, but they all work hard for whatever they do. This almost sounds like a discussion of who "deserves to be paid" and who doesn't. I say that if one envies these guys their sponsorship (how much that may even cover in the first place) then one would be quite a sourpuss about it.

[STYACHT]

http://www.vendeeglo...ing-object.html

Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ), who had to retire from the Vendée Globe after nine days of race, may have found a good explanation for what caused the breakage of his keel jack head: « It probably happened as we were leaving the front off the Canary Islands. There was a 40-knot wind and a very rough cross sea. As I was going down after surfing a wave, I must have hit a UFO with the side of my keel bulb, because you can clearly see an impact there. This probably put an unusual pressure on the keel head. And then time passed and a couple of days later, the jack head broke because it had been weakened by the shock. After a thorough analysis of the part and discussions with experts, that's te likeliest explanation ».

[Large Thomas]

http://www.vendeeglo...ing-object.htm
[...]
"... probably put an unusual pressure on the keel head."
[...]

But an "unusual pressure" that breaks a ram specified to 120t of loads, triple the peak loads of the keel? I suppose it may really have been a combination of the moments and the pressure loads then, possibly twisting the keel head just enough to cant the ram's eye on the barrel pin and nudged it hard enough to weaken it?

[Presuming Ed]

Elaine Bunting has tweeted that JP Dick and Jean Le Cam are not happy about being penalized for TSS infringement. Fair amount of shit being slung at AT on the French VG website (and some comments in his favour).

[Laurent]

Fair amount of shit being slung at AT on the French VG website

What did you expect? He's a Brit...
And he was a bit cocky at the beginning of his Vendee Globe/IMOCA endeavour.

Don't get me wrong, despite what others say, I have an immense respect for any of those sailors; his competency is from another galaxy, compared to mine. And I do believe that this time around, he has a real chance to be at least on the podium; and he deserves it.

We, French, usually don't like much people who are boasting their performance... even when it is justified. Mich' Dej' does not have only friends when he says that he is in it to win, and actually do so, and sail through the fleet in the Southern Ocean (last VG) and conclude that the rest of the fleet is just too slow... Eventhough you have to admit that looking at the facts; he is right.

[Speng]

Yeah yeah is this new? Mich Desj can come off as a dick... He is not a big joker, he lies about the condition of his boat and plays a lot of other psychological games... So what he is still the greatest shorthanded racer of all time. And he tells it like it is, sometimes there is a lot of rumor and innuendo in French offshore racing but Mich tells it straight up.

as regards the TSS they can suck it. If you break the rules you get protested this is big time pro sailing not the Wednesday nite race at your local sailing club where nobody wants to delay the run to the bar... Also as big as the VG is the TSS is the law... And it's not like these guys are sailing without affecting anybody what with all these big stealthy carbon fiber racing racing boats crashing into poor Portuguese fishermen and whatnot. They're already being given enough leeway considering a singlehanded sailor is by definition not keeping proper watch. Do you want some bureaucrat in Brussels banning offshore shorthanded racing? Or requiring them to put into port each night?

[Speng]

Ok I'm a pc... How do I get the controls on the YouTube video so I can turn on the captions on an iPad?

[popo]

@STYACHT

it means that my translation wasn't so bad, was it ?

Contraint à l’abandon après neuf jours de course, Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ) aurait trouvé une hypothèse crédible quant à la cause de la casse de la tête de vérin de sa quille : « Cela a dû se produire à la sortie du front que nous avons négocié au large des Canaries. Il y avait 40 nœuds de vent et une mer croisée très dure. J'étais tribord amure, la tige de vérin était sortie de ce côté-là. En retombant d'une vague, j'ai dû taper un OFNI sur le côté du bulbe, car on voit clairement un impact à cet endroit-là. Ce choc de côté a généré un effort inhabituel sur la tête de quille.Ensuite, le temps a fait son œuvre et deux à trois jours plus tard, la tête de vérin, affaiblie par le choc, a cassé.Après analyse de la pièce et échanges avec les experts, c'est l'hypothèse la plus vraisemblable. ».

Forced to withdraw after nine days of race, Jeremie Beyou (Maître Coq) might have found a credible hypothesis towards the ram's head break. : "this might have happened after the front we had offshore Canary. There was 40 knots of wind and a hard and crossed sea. I was starboard tack, the ram's rod was out this side. When falling from a wave, I might have hit an UFO (Unidentified floating objects), on the bulb's side, cause we can clearly see an impact there. This hit produced an unusual force on the keel's head. After,time making its work, two or three days later, the ram's head, weakened by the hit, broke. After the parts analysis, and chat with the experts, it's the most probable hypothesis.

edit : @Guillame : il n'était pas localisé au dernier pointage je crois, il a peut être un problème de balise (j'espère)

[popo]

Ok I'm a pc... How do I get the controls on the YouTube video so I can turn on the captions on an iPad?

when you hit the screen, when the video is playing, down right you should have a "CC" button, it's on the right of the timestamp.
clic on it and set on "english"

[Corey]

Forgive me if this has been covered.

The way standings are calculated seems pretty bad. As I type this, Stamm is listed as 3rd place, 51.6 nm behind Le Cleac'h; yet he's a full 2 degrees of latatude (120 nm) farther north that Le Cleac'h. Dick, who's close to even with Gabart in 2nd, is listed as 5th. I understand about distance to the next way point, but I think it could be done better.

[MSafiri]

No, the hippie is a fluke, got sponsorship due to luck and little effort and not much of a sailing cv. Sometimes they play as if they are the new wonderboy.
Some are nice. But non have a serious role in the Vendee other then dock filling. Thats what MD was talking about.
The commited sailors who are not in their for the win but just to finnish, they deserve the credits.Some of those are professionals, some act as professionals due to sponsorship requirements. But htey never behave like a hippy. (and I looked like an old hippy, and only would have had sponsorship by luck )

LeoV, who do you consider as 'hippie' in the current race? and would you consider Moitessier as a 'hippie'? or more as an 'anarchist'?? All theoretical questions, of course....

[AMMMTV]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

[AMMMTV]

And if you are interested my top 3 predictions for podium:

1.) Stamm
2.) Thomson
3.) Gabart

[Tunnel Rat]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

Hi Clare.

Have you read any of the other threads in SA - if not, you might want to do some background reading so you are braced and ready for the greeting when it comes.

My question would be - what is currently worrying the skippers most - boat issues, competitor positions or how to negotiate the approaching weather systems?

Cheers,

TR

[Tunnel Rat]

Forgive me if this has been covered.

The way standings are calculated seems pretty bad. As I type this, Stamm is listed as 3rd place, 51.6 nm behind Le Cleac'h; yet he's a full 2 degrees of latatude (120 nm) farther north that Le Cleac'h. Dick, who's close to even with Gabart in 2nd, is listed as 5th. I understand about distance to the next way point, but I think it could be done better.

It always seems to happen with all the RTW races. It seems that the current waypoint they are being ranked against is way to the east of the routing that everyone is taking (and takes every race).

I would say the current rankings should be :

1 Banque Pop
2 Macif
3 Virbac Paprec
4 PRB
5 HB
6 Cheminees P

and I think this has been the order for a day or more.

[popo]

today subs



don't forget to like his Facebook page, it's for good cause



reminds me of Jean Le Cam last edition with all his puppets (and named sails and boat parts)

[Francis Vaughan]

Forgive me if this has been covered.

The way standings are calculated seems pretty bad. As I type this, Stamm is listed as 3rd place, 51.6 nm behind Le Cleac'h; yet he's a full 2 degrees of latatude (120 nm) farther north that Le Cleac'h. Dick, who's close to even with Gabart in 2nd, is listed as 5th. I understand about distance to the next way point, but I think it could be done better.

It does seem totally broken. The distance measuring tool gets the calculation right, but the distance to leader simply is not the distance to the leader in any meaningful manner. Indeed out by a factor of two or three. I assume the system is simply buggy and no-one has noticed. Thus the rankings are just plain wrong.

[Large Thomas]

It does seem totally broken. The distance measuring tool gets the calculation right, but the distance to leader simply is not the distance to the leader in any meaningful manner. Indeed out by a factor of two or three. I assume the system is simply buggy and no-one has noticed. Thus the rankings are just plain wrong.

My guess is that what they do is measuring distances to a line perpendicular to the leader's vector to the next mark. Then these measurements actually play out. As we all know, map projections, "peeling the orange" globe style, orthodromes and distances are a bit of a bitch on this potatoe of mostly water-covered ball we live on.

[Francis Vaughan]

My guess is that what they do is measuring distances to a line perpendicular to the leader's vector to the next mark. Then these measurements actually play out. As we all know, map projections, "peeling the orange" globe style, orthodromes and distances are a bit of a bitch on this potatoe of mostly water-covered ball we live on.

That does sound consistent with the distances. Unhelpful, but consistent. Unhelpful in that it doesn't allow for the implicit routing choices forced on the boats, and assumes the boats can just sail a great circle to the next point. Further "distance to leader" is not actually what is being measured. Which makes it even less helpful. It is off that they even draw a nominal track for the boats on the tracker, but ignore it for placings measurement. Of course a really nice way of doing it would be to actually calculate a nominal route based upon the weather forecast. (It wouldn't really be all that hard.)

[Philippe_Chaplin]

I would say ranking are ok and calculated as distance to next waypoint, distance to leader is a misnomer, it is more the difference of distance to next way point between the leader and the other boat. You can check using the detailed list and the map.

[STYACHT]

@STYACHT

it means that my translation wasn't so bad, was it ?

Contraint à l’abandon après neuf jours de course, Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ) aurait trouvé une hypothèse crédible quant à la cause de la casse de la tête de vérin de sa quille : « Cela a dû se produire à la sortie du front que nous avons négocié au large des Canaries. Il y avait 40 nœuds de vent et une mer croisée très dure. J'étais tribord amure, la tige de vérin était sortie de ce côté-là. En retombant d'une vague, j'ai dû taper un OFNI sur le côté du bulbe, car on voit clairement un impact à cet endroit-là. Ce choc de côté a généré un effort inhabituel sur la tête de quille.Ensuite, le temps a fait son œuvre et deux à trois jours plus tard, la tête de vérin, affaiblie par le choc, a cassé.Après analyse de la pièce et échanges avec les experts, c'est l'hypothèse la plus vraisemblable. ».

Forced to withdraw after nine days of race, Jeremie Beyou (Maître Coq) might have found a credible hypothesis towards the ram's head break. : "this might have happened after the front we had offshore Canary. There was 40 knots of wind and a hard and crossed sea. I was starboard tack, the ram's rod was out this side. When falling from a wave, I might have hit an UFO (Unidentified floating objects), on the bulb's side, cause we can clearly see an impact there. This hit produced an unusual force on the keel's head. After,time making its work, two or three days later, the ram's head, weakened by the hit, broke. After the parts analysis, and chat with the experts, it's the most probable hypothesis.

edit : @Guillame : il n'était pas localisé au dernier pointage je crois, il a peut être un problème de balise (j'espère)

Missed your post, sorry to repeat.

[STYACHT]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

Hi Clare.

Have you read any of the other threads in SA - if not, you might want to do some background reading so you are braced and ready for the greeting when it comes.

My question would be - what is currently worrying the skippers most - boat issues, competitor positions or how to negotiate the approaching weather systems?

Cheers,

TR

Props to Clare for putting it all out there, from CV to professional interest. My questions have to do with a few of the stages of the race thus far -

1. It seems that the start was very fortunate from the standpoint of wind angle and wind speed. Do the (repeat) skippers rate it as an easy start?
2. Exactly what is the commentary from the violators and non-violators about the TSS issue? Vis-a-vis the rules particularly. Did anyone claim to not know?
3. I heard one skipper say this was the worst doldrums yet. Really? Is that a commonly held view?
4. What are the skippers saying about the route choices this time in the Atlantic? Seems east to me, and I would like some historic routes to compare.

[Lexpat]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists

We are a team of 3 Brits

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.
Keep me posted :)/>

Hello Clare,
Could you ask if any of the penalized skippers and their shore crews are going to buy a Hugo Boss suit any time soon ?

[AMMMTV]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

Hi Clare.

Have you read any of the other threads in SA - if not, you might want to do some background reading so you are braced and ready for the greeting when it comes.

My question would be - what is currently worrying the skippers most - boat issues, competitor positions or how to negotiate the approaching weather systems?

Cheers,

TR

Thx TR - well I have to admit I am not a massive Sailing Anarchist - this is my first login as a user but I have been known to dip in and out on occasion. Of course, I have heard that it can get a bit spicy but that is often the way with forums and I am not new to forums - having worked with the Army Rumour Service and I am sure it can't be as spicy as there! But I guess never say never and I have come armed with my chainmail blousen made of dragon's skin to detract any potential trolling!

Good question - I'll be hard pushed to get any tactics out of them but I wonder if they'll answer the skipper v positions question. I need some time to settle in and see what the motion of the ocean is - it's such a fickle race - it's changing by the hour!

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists

We are a team of 3 Brits

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.
Keep me posted :)/>

Hello Clare,
Could you ask if any of the penalized skippers and their shore crews are going to buy a Hugo Boss suit any time soon ?

I am not going to lie to Lexpat - it's unlikely that I'll be asking this one!

[AMMMTV]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

Hi Clare.

Have you read any of the other threads in SA - if not, you might want to do some background reading so you are braced and ready for the greeting when it comes.

My question would be - what is currently worrying the skippers most - boat issues, competitor positions or how to negotiate the approaching weather systems?

Cheers,

TR

Props to Clare for putting it all out there, from CV to professional interest. My questions have to do with a few of the stages of the race thus far -

1. It seems that the start was very fortunate from the standpoint of wind angle and wind speed. Do the (repeat) skippers rate it as an easy start?
2. Exactly what is the commentary from the violators and non-violators about the TSS issue? Vis-a-vis the rules particularly. Did anyone claim to not know?
3. I heard one skipper say this was the worst doldrums yet. Really? Is that a commonly held view?
4. What are the skippers saying about the route choices this time in the Atlantic? Seems east to me, and I would like some historic routes to compare.

By the time I start we'll be in the roaring 40s so I am not sure if the Doldrums question will happen. But the easterly push is interesting and again by Sunday the protest might yesterday's fish and chips. I think the race is more akin to 2004 and it's worth looking at that race - the doldrums and Cap Verde were key - Golding came out of them 800 miles behind le Cam and Riou and had to push hard in the Southern Ocean came out of the Cape Horn in the lead and then his halyard snapped. I shall definitely be exploring this next week.

[Large Thomas]

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

Hello Clare,
Much appreciated you drop by and introduce yourself.
My question would be centered on the boats. In the leading pack we currently see four recent Verdier/VPLP designs, one Juan K and one Farr. Do the skippers feel that the last generation boats are that vastly more powerful than the previous ones, or is there any way around especially the Verdier/VPLP designs?

[LeoV]

Clare,

nice to come here for input, better then rehashing the press release book of the VG...

Q:
Who can explain the miracle break away off Macif in the first days,
and to stab to older sailors, was it just because a young gun on a good boat, working his ass off ?


Q:
What was the best meal underway ?
(still curious if they still take a gourmet diner with them for special occasions, or if they are spooning extra oiled freeze dried food all the way.)

Q:
How much communication do you have on average daily with your base team ?

[LeoV]

Hippies,

this one not to bad, but the past have seen examples, I just forgot their names, rihtfully so, but hte one with a very old boat, really rusty cantingkeel etc, who offcourse failed dramaticly, comes to mind.

Outsiders that have been there through luck,
Allessandro, first mini around the world, more people have done that, but stopped on the way,.nothing special in my mind.
But still I root for him, as he is adventurous and has character, but an Open 60 is a bit to much.
Voss did it 100 yrs ago in a boat we barely would cross a lake in. (and read Tinkerbel or Tinkerbelle for fun in small boats in big waves)

Gutek, been captain of an Orma 60 because he was supported by the payed crew out of France, of who I know one. On his own, he would do not much, ergo, he is out due to autopilot problems, probably he only used them this last year a few times for the first time in his live:)

And yes I know for fact that in a transatlantic race (ostar) , one newcomer was so overcome by his lucky adventure, he willingly scuttled his boat, and called the rescue services, and he was a Dutchy. (just added that to add some spice and make your mind wonder what creatures MD has seen in his live)

[Large Thomas]

Hippies,

this one not to bad, but the past have seen examples, I just forgot their names, rihtfully so, but hte one with a very old boat, really rusty cantingkeel etc, who offcourse failed dramaticly, comes to mind.

And sank all of his money into making this dream of his come true. It's obviously rightful to 'forget' the name of someone making it to the Vendee without a major corporate sponsorship and having to make do with an old boat.

Outsiders that have been there through luck,
Allessandro, first mini around the world, more people have done that, but stopped on the way,.nothing special in my mind.
But still I root for him, as he is adventurous and has character, but an Open 60 is a bit to much.
Voss did it 100 yrs ago in a boat we barely would cross a lake in. (and read Tinkerbel or Tinkerbelle for fun in small boats in big waves)

So where's the luck in getting to the Vendee start with a boat and a sponsorship? Where's the luck in all the hard work you throw into preparing the boat and yourself, and making it to that point?

Gutek, been captain of an Orma 60 because he was supported by the payed crew out of France, of who I know one. On his own, he would do not much, ergo, he is out due to autopilot problems, probably he only used them this last year a few times for the first time in his live:)

You must be fucking kidding me, Leo. The Race, Wartha-Polopharm? Volvo 60 record attempt? A fucking Velux 5 Oceans (which, I'm sure I don't have to remind you, is a single handed race)? Keel damage in the Velux, two injuries and still going? Give me a break!

And yes I know for fact that in a transatlantic race (ostar) , one newcomer was so overcome by his lucky adventure, he willingly scuttled his boat, and called the rescue services, and he was a Dutchy. (just added that to add some spice and make your mind wonder what creatures MD has seen in his live)

Names, Leo, because I can't remember anything about a Dutch racer in the OSTAR scuttling his boat.

[roca]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

Hi claire, welcome on SA
a longtime tradition of this community would need you to show us tits in your first post ... but being that you are an MMM and you seem professional, informed and kind, I assume we can pass this initiation

one question to armel (today) would be how does he feels in that position so early in the race, is there any "hare" pressure (as brilliantly explained by Le Cam)? only advantages and good energy or also some stress, risk?


to the top ones: which competitors' performance are they more impressed with untill now, favourably and negatively

And if you are interested my top 3 predictions for podium:

1.) Stamm
2.) Thomson
3.) Gabart

Do you think Stamm for his talent and way of sailing or because you think (know?) that his fat skowish JK bow will be significantly faster down south?
(another question could be if others are worried about the JK design)

I picked Le Cleach, Riu and Beyou before the start (you can check back); I lost one but untill now I am happy with my picks
Probably stamm would have been my first backup before start, but now gabart seems very good. (In any case I would have picked stamm betting on the boat)

[oioi]

my question would be how much damage and loss of performance do you and your competitors suffer but not declare - eg sail damage? technical issues? etc.

Do you have suspicions that anyone is carrying a problem.

I appreciate these questions will hopefully be once they are into the south so there maybe some problems by then.

[MSafiri]

Hippies,

this one not to bad, but the past have seen examples, I just forgot their names, rihtfully so, but hte one with a very old boat, really rusty cantingkeel etc, who offcourse failed dramaticly, comes to mind.

And sank all of his money into making this dream of his come true. It's obviously rightful to 'forget' the name of someone making it to the Vendee without a major corporate sponsorship and having to make do with an old boat.

Outsiders that have been there through luck,
Allessandro, first mini around the world, more people have done that, but stopped on the way,.nothing special in my mind.
But still I root for him, as he is adventurous and has character, but an Open 60 is a bit to much.
Voss did it 100 yrs ago in a boat we barely would cross a lake in. (and read Tinkerbel or Tinkerbelle for fun in small boats in big waves)

So where's the luck in getting to the Vendee start with a boat and a sponsorship? Where's the luck in all the hard work you throw into preparing the boat and yourself, and making it to that point?

Gutek, been captain of an Orma 60 because he was supported by the payed crew out of France, of who I know one. On his own, he would do not much, ergo, he is out due to autopilot problems, probably he only used them this last year a few times for the first time in his live:)

You must be fucking kidding me, Leo. The Race, Wartha-Polopharm? Volvo 60 record attempt? A fucking Velux 5 Oceans (which, I'm sure I don't have to remind you, is a single handed race)? Keel damage in the Velux, two injuries and still going? Give me a break!

And yes I know for fact that in a transatlantic race (ostar) , one newcomer was so overcome by his lucky adventure, he willingly scuttled his boat, and called the rescue services, and he was a Dutchy. (just added that to add some spice and make your mind wonder what creatures MD has seen in his live)

Names, Leo, because I can't remember anything about a Dutch racer in the OSTAR scuttling his boat.

Sorry LeoV, I am with Thomas on this one.

You say that Alessandro's trip around in a mini was nothing special as some did it before - though with stops. For me, it was great seamanship, determination and the right amount of adventure. The cocktail the doc ordered and the best entry to the VG. Of course, your comment about IMOCA is a big step. But he will do good and he is fun to watch. Much more fun than the pro guys in the front.

There are no hippies in the VG, there are sailors with limited financial resources! And there are the pros.

[Foolish]

Clare, please ask the skippers if they prefer the race format the way it is now, or if they would prefer a format that allowed them to pull into any port for emergency repairs with a 24-hour minimum stay requirement?

[MR.CLEAN]

my question would be how much damage and loss of performance do you and your competitors suffer but not declare - eg sail damage? technical issues? etc.

Do you have suspicions that anyone is carrying a problem.

I appreciate these questions will hopefully be once they are into the south so there maybe some problems by then.

It's a good question and they'll never tell the truth.

hi Clare

[popo]

this one is pure GOLD !



King Jean is a true ANARCHIST !

a little advice to Thomson : don't slow down, if you don't want to be ram by the King in the roaring 40 !

[Rail Meat]

this one is pure GOLD !



King Jean is a true ANARCHIST !

a little advice to Thomson : don't slow down, if you don't want to be ram by the King in the roaring 40 !

And his hair is pretty amazing.

[popo]

And his hair is pretty amazing.

apparently you didn't saw his portrait, you are not the only one amazed by his air !

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xuxfq8_jean-le-cam-s-portrait_sport

[ET1]

Hey, what´s on with all you hardcore anachists. There is one chick coming in and everybody besides Roca is soft as a cat.
The real way to greet her is - like always-
FUCK OFF NEWBIE

[popo]

lots of spelling mistakes in these ones but it's late !

btw, tell me when I make too big ones, and if the boat parts are not translate correctly

[Cyrille Hydrogene]

this one is pure GOLD !



King Jean is a true ANARCHIST !

a little advice to Thomson : don't slow down, if you don't want to be ram by the King in the roaring 40 !

And his hair is pretty amazing.

Woah, he is really pissed off! You can see it's a very serious issue for him. Maybe his anger is directed more towards the race committee than AT (but I wouldn't bet on that, yet...)

[AMMMTV]

my question would be how much damage and loss of performance do you and your competitors suffer but not declare - eg sail damage? technical issues? etc.

Do you have suspicions that anyone is carrying a problem.

I appreciate these questions will hopefully be once they are into the south so there maybe some problems by then.

It's a good question and they'll never tell the truth.

hi Clare

Hey Mr C - as you can see I have somewhat hijacked your thread But I think it's rockin' When are you coming to Paris to be my guest on the VGTV?

[AMMMTV]

Hey, what´s on with all you hardcore anachists. There is one chick coming in and everybody besides Roca is soft as a cat.
The real way to greet her is - like always-
FUCK OFF NEWBIE

TAXI!

[AMMMTV]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

Hi claire, welcome on SA
a longtime tradition of this community would need you to show us tits in your first post ... but being that you are an MMM and you seem professional, informed and kind, I assume we can pass this initiation

one question to armel (today) would be how does he feels in that position so early in the race, is there any "hare" pressure (as brilliantly explained by Le Cam)? only advantages and good energy or also some stress, risk?


to the top ones: which competitors' performance are they more impressed with untill now, favourably and negatively

And if you are interested my top 3 predictions for podium:

1.) Stamm
2.) Thomson
3.) Gabart

Do you think Stamm for his talent and way of sailing or because you think (know?) that his fat skowish JK bow will be significantly faster down south?
(another question could be if others are worried about the JK design)

I picked Le Cleach, Riu and Beyou before the start (you can check back); I lost one but untill now I am happy with my picks
Probably stamm would have been my first backup before start, but now gabart seems very good. (In any case I would have picked stamm betting on the boat)

I think Stamm is an amazing sailor and I think his boat is a good'un. He needs to sail his own race if he doesn't get influenced by the others too much and follows his instincts I think he'll nail it.

[AMMMTV]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

Hi claire, welcome on SA
a longtime tradition of this community would need you to show us tits in your first post ... but being that you are an MMM and you seem professional, informed and kind, I assume we can pass this initiation

no comment

[Large Thomas]

this one is pure GOLD !



King Jean is a true ANARCHIST !

a little advice to Thomson : don't slow down, if you don't want to be ram by the King in the roaring 40 !

And his hair is pretty amazing.

Woah, he is really pissed off! You can see it's a very serious issue for him. Maybe his anger is directed more towards the race committee than AT (but I wouldn't bet on that, yet...)

I think that's directed more at the committee, but for once I cannot be with Le Roi Jean himself. Even a king has a few physical laws to abide to. Anarchy, all good and well, but if your choice of course gives you an unfair advantage over those who abide by the very laws you violate then, as in every race, you'll have to get your - oh how he spits it! - pénalité! Else we can start ramming eachother right at the start, eh?

[onimod]

Jean can claim his 'freedom' and complain about restrictions ruining the dream, but if he gets run down by a tanker or someone finally kills a Portugese fisherman by impaling them on a deck spreader then that will do more to change the way the race is run than simply avoiding a TSS.
He claims to want the committee to add a waypoint but he certainly has the 'freedom' to do that all by himself.
Not a lot of sympathy, particularly given the raft of routing and electronics they rely upon these days.

The one thing that does irk me a little is that, as I understand it, the race committee would not get involved until AT launched a protest.
AT may agree with Jean about a waypoint because it removes the need for a whistleblower and all the invective directed at him.
I would like to see a little more 'honour' from the skippers - it's one of the fundamentals of the sport that makes it more 'honorouble' than many other professional sports.

[Rail Meat]

And his hair is pretty amazing.

apparently you didn't saw his portrait, you are not the only one amazed by his air !

http://www.dailymoti...-portrait_sport

Yup, missed that one. Hilarious... or Hairlarious.

By the way - merci beaucoup pour the translations!

[Bull Gator]

Tight race but I'm bothered by the inordinately slow speeds. They are basically dragging along at ten knots. Kind of like a laser in a puff or a bad A Cat sailor. Is it a lack of wind or shitty designs?

[Bull Gator]

On the pluss side no dead whales yet..

[Speng]

Ok I'm a pc... How do I get the controls on the YouTube video so I can turn on the captions on an iPad?

when you hit the screen, when the video is playing, down right you should have a "CC" button, it's on the right of the timestamp.
clic on it and set on "english"

Yeah on the the pc I see that but on this ICrap it's not there. Steve Jobs and his rubbish

[Speng]

So sorry Jean but you can suck it the rules are there for a reason otherwise you'd have tankers, ferries and fishing boats Ll over willy mildly causing accidents and spilling oil everywhere like in the bad old days. The TSS is not there just so you can have a free corner cut. You may be le Roi but only in a small world. Even the monarchs of England, Holland etc have to follow EU rules. Interesting the AT was the only to lodge a protest... But maybe that's the others just trying to get along

[Bull Gator]

So sorry Jean but you can suck it the rules are there for a reason otherwise you'd have tankers, ferries and fishing boats Ll over willy mildly causing accidents and spilling oil everywhere like in the bad old days. The TSS is not there just so you can have a free corner cut. You may be le Roi but only in a small world. Even the monarchs of England, Holland etc have to follow EU rules. Interesting the AT was the only to lodge a protest... But maybe that's the others just trying to get along

Your post is unreadable is english your fourth language?

[popo]

Tight race but I'm bothered by the inordinately slow speeds. They are basically dragging along at ten knots. Kind of like a laser in a puff or a bad A Cat sailor. Is it a lack of wind or shitty designs?

only 8 hours 54 from start to Equator more than the fastest time recorded for this race.

[oioi]

my question would be how much damage and loss of performance do you and your competitors suffer but not declare - eg sail damage? technical issues? etc.

Do you have suspicions that anyone is carrying a problem.

I appreciate these questions will hopefully be once they are into the south so there maybe some problems by then.

It's a good question and they'll never tell the truth.

hi Clare

reread the question. i would ask the skipper if he feels any of his competitors have issues, not whether he does (although i would probably ask that as well, you never know your luck you might get something back)

[moody frog]

this one is pure GOLD !



King Jean is a true ANARCHIST !

a little advice to Thomson : don't slow down, if you don't want to be ram by the King in the roaring 40 !

And his hair is pretty amazing.

Woah, he is really pissed off! You can see it's a very serious issue for him. Maybe his anger is directed more towards the race committee than AT (but I wouldn't bet on that, yet...)

As I hear it in French: no anger against Alex, he accepts the penalty as it is, his rant is even more against the organizers than the jury. He had an "obligation" to fulfill and .... just do not like any obligation in life (that we know for 40 years), he is pissed-off that his chosen free-territory, ocean-racing is becoming more and more regulated.

No surprise there, Jean always had an anarchistic way of expending his free-world in many respects and accepting the consequences while mumbling.
At least has he staid true to his character for decades: quite unique ! I guess we need a few such characters to keep today's life interesting.

[Large Thomas]

No surprise there, Jean always had an anarchistic way of expending his free-world in many respects and accepting the consequences while mumbling.
At least has he staid true to his character for decades: quite unique !

Let's hope for le Roi Samson to keep those hairs for at least twice as long as he's had them. Amen.

[Rail Meat]

Tight race but I'm bothered by the inordinately slow speeds. They are basically dragging along at ten knots. Kind of like a laser in a puff or a bad A Cat sailor. Is it a lack of wind or shitty designs?

only 8 hours 54 from start to Equator more than the fastest time recorded for this race.

popo - Don't pay attention to that poster. He is a sad, lonely man with mother issues who is just trying to bait anyone who might respond.

[kristoffer]

Do anyone knows what's bothering Bernard Stamm?
http://poujoulat.ber...temporaire.html

EDIT found it in english:
http://www.vendeeglo...al-issues.html

[mad]

Do anyone knows what's bothering Bernard Stamm?
http://poujoulat.ber...temporaire.html

I tried to translate the news on his site with google translate, but it doesn't make sense.

The sea was pretty chaotic and in a windless area, the boat was shaken really hard, one of the centreboards went up and it tore up the genoa. In order to keep progressing, I had to take a route that goes further east than the others, otherwise it would have slowed me down a lot. ». The skipper has also been busy taking care of an autopilot issue and he has't been able to sleep much lately. « I'll soon be done with the repairs, the end of he punishment is coming! », the sailor explained on Friday morning.

From the vendee site, pssst got any pictures you'd like to share?

[steinbrenner]

clean and ronnie, what about your announced analysis of strategies, comments, etc.? or i got something wrong?

[jb5]

Bernard Stamm seems to have torn his genoa on a dagger board and somehow the sail was jammed so it could not be dropped to be repaired. He has climbed the mast to free it so it can be fixed. Some mention also of an autopilot issue as well but no details. It seems he expects to be up to speed again shortly. Will the eastern track pay?

[Damers]

Steinbrenner: That's what they said. But wasn't there something in there about three week updates?

[popo]

you will drink soon !



cheers ! (from what I catched from the vacation, he opened a great bottle of wine)



penalty, penalty again and again !

[Lexpat]

Popo & co , thanks for the videos , don't have much time to be on the net right now ( rugby season), this thread is the only place where I get my VG news. As for Alecon Thomson,I hope he gets what he deserves and I am not talking about the podium .

[kristoffer]

The sea was pretty chaotic and in a windless area, the boat was shaken really hard, one of the centreboards went up and it tore up the genoa. In order to keep progressing, I had to take a route that goes further east than the others, otherwise it would have slowed me down a lot. ». The skipper has also been busy taking care of an autopilot issue and he has't been able to sleep much lately. « I'll soon be done with the repairs, the end of he punishment is coming! », the sailor explained on Friday morning.

From the vendee site, pssst got any pictures you'd like to share?

They had to publish it right after I asked. Been trying to understand the message from Bernard's homepage since it came out yesterday. Does explain why he can't keep up...

Sorry, too cold for flashing tits in Norway at the moment

[Big Show]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times and Andi Robertson - a yachting journalist who is writing for his third edition of the race.

My next shifts starts on Sunday 25th November and I will be hosting the Vendee Globe TV International segment that is in the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Anyway I have been following the thread, which is great and I am thrilled that this edition does not disappoint and I thought you might want let me know if you have any questions for the skippers on the race and I'll see if I can put them to the skippers during the LIVE interviews.

At the end of the day you are the audience and so why focus on what I want to know! It's much more important that you get the details you are interested in.

Keep me posted

Hi claire, welcome on SA
a longtime tradition of this community would need you to show us tits in your first post ... but being that you are an MMM and you seem professional, informed and kind, I assume we can pass this initiation

no comment

(In a Mike Myers Scottish brogue)

Youuuuu!

Teeeets!

Neoow!!!!

You'll have no respect without tits shown!!!!

[Large Thomas]

Popo & co , thanks for the videos , don't have much time to be on the net right now ( rugby season), this thread is the only place where I get my VG news. As for Alecon Thomson,I hope he gets what he deserves and I am not talking about the podium .

A new Boss suit when he returns?

[Carboninit]

this one is pure GOLD !



King Jean is a true ANARCHIST !

a little advice to Thomson : don't slow down, if you don't want to be ram by the King in the roaring 40 !

And his hair is pretty amazing.

Woah, he is really pissed off! You can see it's a very serious issue for him. Maybe his anger is directed more towards the race committee than AT (but I wouldn't bet on that, yet...)

Hey, what´s on with all you hardcore anachists. There is one chick coming in and everybody besides Roca is soft as a cat.
The real way to greet her is - like always-
FUCK OFF NEWBIE

His hair is gay . Clare I see you like drinking Im off to a poll dancing club tonight ,you up for it. So after all this shit ,what is the ideal boat and campaign . Eco boat , no sponsors , and goes like shit, and thermal imaging with alarm for fisherman lookout. Just send fast video's back of sailing . That should do it.

[MR.CLEAN]

"Like"

« We're only 24 miles away from Cascais and we're in an area where all cargo ships are going north. We thought maybe we could hitch-hike, as they're probabaly all going to France... But despite our sign and our motivation, we haven't been very successful. We'll keep trying, though. Maybe Erwan (editor's note: Le Meilleur, Sam's boat captain) should hide inside and I should wear a miniskirt, alone on the deck with my sign, I'm sure it would work better. We'll see... Love, Sam. »

[Marvin]

"Like"

« We're only 24 miles away from Cascais and we're in an area where all cargo ships are going north. We thought maybe we could hitch-hike, as they're probabaly all going to France... But despite our sign and our motivation, we haven't been very successful. We'll keep trying, though. Maybe Erwan (editor's note: Le Meilleur, Sam's boat captain) should hide inside and I should wear a miniskirt, alone on the deck with my sign, I'm sure it would work better. We'll see... Love, Sam. »

Yup... we'll definitely miss Sam's colorful reports over the next three months... Sighhh.

[flojo]

The sea was pretty chaotic and in a windless area, the boat was shaken really hard, one of the centreboards went up and it tore up the genoa. In order to keep progressing, I had to take a route that goes further east than the others, otherwise it would have slowed me down a lot. ». The skipper has also been busy taking care of an autopilot issue and he has't been able to sleep much lately. « I'll soon be done with the repairs, the end of he punishment is coming! », the sailor explained on Friday morning.

From the vendee site, pssst got any pictures you'd like to share?

They had to publish it right after I asked. Been trying to understand the message from Bernard's homepage since it came out yesterday. Does explain why he can't keep up...

Sorry, too cold for flashing tits in Norway at the moment

Bernard had to sail with the jib for almost four days. Now the genoa should be fixed. The easterlier track is due to the fact that the jib has a narrower "optimal VMG angle". Now he can - again - "mettre du charbon" (shovel more coal).

[Kenny Dumas]

Anybody figure out how to get the grib forecast to show up on the ipad app?

[40Plus]

Clare, please ask the skippers if they prefer the race format the way it is now, or if they would prefer a format that allowed them to pull into any port for emergency repairs with a 24-hour minimum stay requirement?

They are allowed to anchor and make repairs unassissted and can even go ashore but not allowed to walk above the high tide level if I remember correctly. My thought is if the skippers or their sponsors wanted to change the very essence of the race it would have been at least discussed by now. If there was such a big draw for a solo around the world with stop overs the Velux Race would have been more successful.

If you implemented a rule of allowing shore crews to repair boats anywhere/anytime during the Vendee it would be a logistical nightmare let alone the associated costs.

[Speng]

Hi - I am Clare Macnaughton and one of the journalists on the Vendee Globe website - here's my background if you are interested - my CV

We are a team of 3 Brits - working 10 day shifts. Matthew Pryor - former sports reporter at The Times ...

Keep me posted :)/>

How is Matt Pryor writing Vendee articles and bashing up the Indians in cricket at the same time?

[popo]

Druuuuuuuunk !



his face in the first seconds is so Breaking Bad !



freeze-dried only for you now !!!

[popo]

popo - Don't pay attention to that poster. He is a sad, lonely man with mother issues who is just trying to bait anyone who might respond.

yeah, I figured it out juste after posting

As I hear it in French: no anger against Alex, he accepts the penalty as it is, his rant is even more against the organizers than the jury. He had an "obligation" to fulfill and .... just do not like any obligation in life (that we know for 40 years), he is pissed-off that his chosen free-territory, ocean-racing is becoming more and more regulated.

No surprise there, Jean always had an anarchistic way of expending his free-world in many respects and accepting the consequences while mumbling.
At least has he staid true to his character for decades: quite unique ! I guess we need a few such characters to keep today's life interesting.

what do you mean by "as I hear it in French ? My translation is not accurate enough ?

I got it like that too, I'm sure he wont even bother anymore in a few days
I just wanted to add a little bit of spice on the forum, as everybody turned corny as soon as a pair of tit poped up !

[Large Thomas]

Clare, please ask the skippers if they prefer the race format the way it is now, or if they would prefer a format that allowed them to pull into any port for emergency repairs with a 24-hour minimum stay requirement?

They are allowed to anchor and make repairs unassissted and can even go ashore but not allowed to walk above the high tide level if I remember correctly. My thought is if the skippers or their sponsors wanted to change the very essence of the race it would have been at least discussed by now. If there was such a big draw for a solo around the world with stop overs the Velux Race would have been more successful.

If you implemented a rule of allowing shore crews to repair boats anywhere/anytime during the Vendee it would be a logistical nightmare let alone the associated costs.

I would think that assistance is totally out of question, in every regard. Anyone of the skippers would argue that it's "against the spirit of the race", and honestly, I would agree. The idea is a marathon sprint around the world. Everything about this race is about being alone out there and battling out whatever odds you're facing - or retire. It's called the Everest of sailing, and in a way it is, but maybe describing it as a three month long ascent on El Capitan. You get in there, and you either go up, or back down. There is no try...

That's the Vendée Globe.

[diggler]

Popo, many thanks for pretty much singlehandedly keeping my interest in this event going. SA did a great job of introducing the skippers and their stories but for me it is primarily your subtitling efforts that keep the stories developing.

Hopefully some tactical choices regarding routing will start to open up now that they are (mostly) through the doldrums. If anyone with some knowledge of weather routing would care to share their views on how the South Atlantic and the entry into the Southern Ocean is starting to shape up I would very much appreciate it.

[Large Thomas]

Popo, many thanks for pretty much singlehandedly keeping my interest in this event going. SA did a great job of introducing the skippers and their stories but for me it is primarily your subtitling efforts that keep the stories developing.

If that's something you'd like I could chip in some translation work.

Hopefully some tactical choices regarding routing will start to open up now that they are (mostly) through the doldrums. If anyone with some knowledge of weather routing would care to share their views on how the South Atlantic and the entry into the Southern Ocean is starting to shape up I would very much appreciate it.

Seconded, lots to learn there. Where's you cracks?! Could use some guidance in these things!

[popo]

with around 6 videos a day, I can keep up for now ( I will just suffer from sleep depravation, just like them ! )
there is around 150 views per videos, the winner actualy is the quite naked Alessandro Di Benedetto, with 685 views, followed closely by Tanguy on his boom with 672

I'm sure, as the roaring 40 will come, this will be more and more interesting, with more sailing, and less eating and drinking !

for the translation, as a DIY english speaker (I learned wathing HBO series, Oz and The Wire) I struggle sometimes, I hope I don't make too much mistakes.
I could possibly ask for some help with the translation if I got less time, and I will cut it and mount on the right timing.


I'm also interested in some weather routing explanations by the big brains here !

[Estar]

If anyone with some knowledge of weather routing would care to share their views on how the South Atlantic and the entry into the Southern Ocean is starting to shape up I would very much appreciate it.

Certainly not that knowledge 60 routing . . . but . . . .

The red line here is the computer route to the Gough starboard mark. The purple line, with more wind but a longer distance, will be the potential (short term) passing lane for the boats behind. The computer says go streight for the mark, but often going a bit east with more wind will win.

 wind1125.jpg   272.6K   101 downloads

The competitors will all be looking slightly longer term how to handle the situation setting up on the 27th - which has a light wind ridge and then just below it a no wind ridge. Right now there is no good way thru it, but its an unstable forecast and will probably develop differently and whoever guesses correctly how it develops will gain. The fastest route to the wind below the second ridge will be the long term winner.

Attached Files

•  wind1127.jpg   270.31K   84 downloads

[polarbear]

this one is pure GOLD !



King Jean is a true ANARCHIST !

a little advice to Thomson : don't slow down, if you don't want to be ram by the King in the roaring 40 !

I love this guy. He gets an anarchist award for sure

Popo does a great job at translating, and I don't think I would do better, but it sounds better in French

[Tunnel Rat]

SNIP
I just wanted to add a little bit of spice on the forum, as everybody turned corny as soon as a pair of tit poped up !

Did you mean corny or horny? And as a matter of detail - no tits have been forthcoming.

Many thanks for the hard work of translation - it is greatly appreciated, and helps me get the detail rather than the just broad picture which my school-boy french usually allows me.

[popo]

shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit
From VG website

at 7AM, Vicent Riou called his shore team after a hit with an object. The skipper was at the map desk during the action, and has been able to go out immediatly to see that the object was a big metallic harbour mooring buoy.
After the collision, Vincent has seen that the hull is ripped and peeled on approximatly a meter. The zone is on the starboard side, three meters from the bow. Vincent hasn't been injured in the colision. He waits for the morning to estimate the damages and consider a repair. Conditions are good, 12 to 15 knots. RIght after the colision, VIncent called the race management to signal the buoy's position to the other competitors

Doesn't seem good just before the deep south ! Perhaps he could ask the guys from Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, they did it quite nicely http://c43690.r90.cf...31112591B22.jpg

[Large Thomas]

shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit
From VG website

at 7AM, Vicent Riou called his shore team after a hit with an object. The skipper was at the map desk during the action, and has been able to go out immediatly to see that the object was a big metallic harbour mooring buoy.
After the collision, Vincent has seen that the hull is ripped and peeled on approximatly a meter. The zone is on the starboard side, three meters from the bow. Vincent hasn't been injured in the colision. He waits for the morning to estimate the damages and consider a repair. Conditions are good, 12 to 15 knots. RIght after the colision, VIncent called the race management to signal the buoy's position to the other competitors

Doesn't seem good just before the deep south ! Perhaps he could ask the guys from Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, they did it quite nicely http://c43690.r90.cf...31112591B22.jpg

Faaaark. We need photos of that. Damnit :/ No bueno. That's a shitty area (no wait, any area of the hull is a shitty area) for delam. It will just propagate if he can't do it properly. And this sounds huge, he could only try getting the boat on the right tack, do all the happy boat building work, and hope that it's done well enough to survive through the race. And here I was about to say that Riou had a good shot at the crown...

[popo]

a little one that nobody will give a crap about, cause everybody will just be waiting for Riou's hull photos !

[onimod]

Is there really no radar that can pick up a container or buoy in your path?

[forss]

That is really sad. Even 10cm delaminated hull is end of show for those boats.

Really sad

I hope he makes safely to Brazil and boat wont sink.

[moody frog]

popo - Don't pay attention to that poster. He is a sad, lonely man with mother issues who is just trying to bait anyone who might respond.

yeah, I figured it out juste after posting

As I hear it in French: no anger against Alex, he accepts the penalty as it is, his rant is even more against the organizers than the jury. He had an "obligation" to fulfill and .... just do not like any obligation in life (that we know for 40 years), he is pissed-off that his chosen free-territory, ocean-racing is becoming more and more regulated.

No surprise there, Jean always had an anarchistic way of expending his free-world in many respects and accepting the consequences while mumbling.
At least has he staid true to his character for decades: quite unique ! I guess we need a few such characters to keep today's life interesting.

what do you mean by "as I hear it in French ? My translation is not accurate enough ?

I got it like that too, I'm sure he wont even bother anymore in a few days
I just wanted to add a little bit of spice on the forum, as
everybody turned corny
as soon as a pair of tit poped up !

Nope: the one or two translations I read were excellent It's just that I carefully listened to the original, South-Finistère / Le Cam language being a somehow specific branch of French which I happen to be familiar with ;
.

everybody turned corny

No surprise there, Jean has a strong talent to tease any group of people into mayhem

[Large Thomas]

Is there really no radar that can pick up a container or buoy in your path?

Containers don't necessarily swim directly at the surface, some even drift just a bit below. Also these objects are actually damn small and low on the water for a radar. Aaaand then of course you don't want to have a radar running on these boats all the time. Where'd you even put that? I'm pretty sure there's basically nothing that can pick up on these things from a long enough distance.

That is really sad. Even 10cm delaminated hull is end of show for those boats.

Really sad

I hope he makes safely to Brazil and boat wont sink.

It didn't sound like he was taking on water (in that case you don't just "wait until daybreak to assess the damage", and I doubt he's currently running any risk of sinking.

[Large Thomas]

everybody turned corny

No surprise there, Jean has a strong talent to tease any group of people into mayhem

I think this was in regard to a pair of boobs, as I read it.
Then again of course we haven't (recently) seen Jean's, and I think it's time to profess our collective eternal and totally not homo erotic attraction/adoration/love/lust for le Roi himself.

[forss]

PRB damage

[forss]

How B. Stamm repaired his genoa. Mast climbing in video etc. Pretty cool. Popo could you translate it?

[Carboninit]

PRB damage

That sucks big time . It's game over looking at that, you can see the honeycomb core at the bottom of the picture and the rest is crushed.

[onimod]

Is there really no radar that can pick up a container or buoy in your path?

Containers don't necessarily swim directly at the surface, some even drift just a bit below. Also these objects are actually damn small and low on the water for a radar. Aaaand then of course you don't want to have a radar running on these boats all the time. Where'd you even put that? I'm pretty sure there's basically nothing that can pick up on these things from a long enough distance.

I wonder if you could plug a go-pro or something to the top of the mast and connect it to a simple PC for a visual scan?
Maybe you'd need something with infrared capability.
It's heartbreaking to see the investment in time these guys put in go to waste.

[onimod]

Is there really no radar that can pick up a container or buoy in your path?

Containers don't necessarily swim directly at the surface, some even drift just a bit below. Also these objects are actually damn small and low on the water for a radar. Aaaand then of course you don't want to have a radar running on these boats all the time. Where'd you even put that? I'm pretty sure there's basically nothing that can pick up on these things from a long enough distance.

I wonder if you could plug a go-pro or something to the top of the mast and connect it to a simple PC for a visual scan?
Maybe you'd need something with infrared capability.
It's heartbreaking to see the investment in time these guys put in go to waste.

Replying to myself - from the article on the VG website:

Speaking before the start Riou said that sonar was not a practical solution:
“We did some research with an institute in France on a sonar system but it is not practical because it is half the weight of the whole boat and it uses lots of power,” he said. “It needs a lot of energy and the boat is very fast and so to use a sonar to predict 200m ahead of the boat when you are travelling at 20 knots you need a very powerful system and it’s impossible to find one that is not too heavy. You have to be realistic these kind of devices are so impractical we are not going to install them and so we can’t even consider them. It’s too heavy and it’s uses too much power.”