3833 replies to this topic

[forss]

NEWS FLASH - GAMESA DISMASTED

On 2 May, at 1540, whilst training off Thorness Bay, Isle of Wight, in 12 knots of wind, Mike Golding’s IMOCA 60, Gamesa, was dismasted following a suspected failure in the furling gear. Mike Golding, and his crew of Graham Tourell (Boat Captain) and Mike Ferguson (Preparateur) were all unhurt in the incident.
The mast has been recovered to the deck, in one piece, and the team are currently returning Gamesa to her berth at Ocean Village, Southampton.
More information will be released as it becomes available.

Released: 2 May 2012, 1700 BST


another dismasted imoca

[forss]

https://www.facebook.com/mikegoldingyachtracing

[oioi]

Future fibres rig?

[JL92S]

Future fibres rig?

yup, they haven't had the best of starts to building rigs...

[Icedtea]

I think future fibres are going to have an extremely hard time in recovering from this...

[haligonian winterr]

I think future fibres are going to have an extremely hard time in recovering from this...

What's their count now?

HW

[Alysum]

Lucky this time it didn't happen thousands of miles away from Australia... That's the second dismasting for that boat!

[diggler]

This looks and reads like the result of not having a fixed forestay - no fixed forestay, a halyard lock or some other part of the furler system fails, and down comes the mast. I don't think FF makes halyard locks do they? They very likely have nothing to do with the rest of the headsail handling system, so laying this at their doorstep right off the bat seems pretty presumptuous.

[34 South]

Mike's Twitter feed says they suspect the furling gear let go.

[Potter]

This looks and reads like the result of not having a fixed forestay - no fixed forestay, a halyard lock or some other part of the furler system fails, and down comes the mast. I don't think FF makes halyard locks do they? They very likely have nothing to do with the rest of the headsail handling system, so laying this at their doorstep right off the bat seems pretty presumptuous.

Just looking at the picture shows the rig to be in one piece, so hard work to lay it on FF as you say.

As for fixed forestays, every IMOCA 60 has one, it is part of the rules. However, the definition of 'fixed' does not mean that the furling gear cannot be part of it (apologies for double negative).

[diggler]

I am familiar with the fixed forestay as part of the IMOCA rules, but I've also read (I think from Rail Meat in a Class 40 thread) that Ecover did not have one and relied entirely on the halyard lock, and furling gear, of whichever headsail was deployed. I forgot Gamesa had got a new rig with the name change and has most likely done away with that system to comply with the rules. Indeed, pretty much all the IMOCAs, Multi50s, and G class multis I've wasted countless hours studying photos of seem to make the solent furling gear part of the permanent forestay.

[forss]

More photos from rigging news

http://riggingnews.b...-dismasted.html

[Potter]

I am familiar with the fixed forestay as part of the IMOCA rules, but I've also read (I think from Rail Meat in a Class 40 thread) that Ecover did not have one and relied entirely on the halyard lock, and furling gear, of whichever headsail was deployed. I forgot Gamesa had got a new rig with the name change and has most likely done away with that system to comply with the rules. Indeed, pretty much all the IMOCAs, Multi50s, and G class multis I've wasted countless hours studying photos of seem to make the solent furling gear part of the permanent forestay.

I am not sure what Mike has on the FF rig, on the previous 2 Southern rigs for that boat it was just a standard pin fitting through an eye (same as Aviva). I would be surprised if it was on a lock, as that would seem to be unneccesary weight high up. The designer was actually the same between the two companies so he had a lot of history with the 60s.

From Gringo: “It is a sorry picture behind me as you can see. The Solent drum basically exploded while we were sailing in the Solent [off the Isle of Wight], causing the rig to come down, in one piece, thankfully. You can see the aftermath of it and we are getting ready to crane it off and see what damage lies beneath.

“If there was any luck involved in the dismasting, we have probably had it today because it was perfectly flat water, luckily the rig came down straight on the back of the boat and didn’t go in the water otherwise we would have had hull damage as well, so we will wait and see what lurks beneath.

“It all seemed to run in slow motion. Obviously a big bang, then as the rig started falling backwards, it was a case of getting everyone clear. Mike and Mikey were both in the cockpit and I was just up looking up the rig and as it went bang, I had to dive out the way of it. It was very calm and controlled on board, rather than all going round and cutting lines. We all have enough experience where you don’t go into a flat spin and panic, it is just a case of letting the dust settle and see what we are dealing with.

“What happens now? The mast will be craned off the boat, then the main [sail] off, which is trapped underneath the rig, daggerboards have to come out, then the surveyors come and test the integrity of the rig to make sure it is fine, even though it is in one piece, we need to make sure there is no damage, same with the sails, everything will need to get looked at as there will have been big spike loads as the rig went. Once we have everything off the boat, that is when the work begins really.

“We’ll take it all in our stride and get Mike out sailing again as quickly as we can. Any sort of saving grace is that we have time to put the boat back together again and get Mike in tip-top shape for the Vendée Globe. If it were two months before the Vendée, we’d be in panic mode, but as it is at the moment we are fine.

“There has been a lot of talk recently about rigging partly because of what has been happening in the Volvo and we have been monitoring it closely, but what has happened today is absolutely nothing to do with the rigging, it is blatantly obvious that it was 100% one of the furling drums that exploded, which there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, to prevent it or foresee it. It is one of those bits of kit that shouldn’t be failing. As far as the whole rigging discussion goes, there is no question about what has happened here, it is not related to rigging whatsoever.”

[thetruth]

And why is it that twat Tourell from Johnny fame happens to be there? Coincidence no doubt.

[Potter]

And why is it that twat Tourell from Johnny fame happens to be there? Coincidence no doubt.

Or more likely that he worked with Mike for years before Artemis. You should get a chip on the other shoulder to even yourself out.

[Icedtea]

Actually, as a bit of a sidebar, what ever happened to johnny?

[3 Days Left]

Died in the Pier View, early this December.
Truthy assaulted him during an argument about how either of them were ever going to get a job involving boats.

[Clovis]

^^^^

Hugo Boss new look revealed: paint

The boat will not be the Juan K: "Confirming that the Farr designed yacht, purchased in 2011, will be used for the 24,000 mile race, following successful performances during the Transat Jacques Vabre and B2B race in 2011, Thomson showed the impressive new chrome-effect which has been applied during its recent refit."

C.

[Alysum]

Very cool the chrome paintjob, looks more modern

[pogen]

Very cool the chrome paintjob, looks more modern

Every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

[forss]

and another imoca dismasted before vendee globe.

Groupe Bel dismasted close to the Azores

third dismasting or i have lost counting already

[GnarlyItWas]

This getting stupid, I know they need to save weight and all that but is really that hard for them to design a rig that can stay up ?

[Potter]

and another imoca dismasted before vendee globe.

Groupe Bel dismasted close to the Azores

third dismasting or i have lost counting already

Really? The first was at the start of the Vendee 4 years ago, when was the second?

[MR.CLEAN]

whose rigging, Potter?

[rmb]

Formula rig with Future fibers standing rigging. I believe it was the last formula spar ever built, but don't quote me on that....

[forss]

and another imoca dismasted before vendee globe.

Groupe Bel dismasted close to the Azores

third dismasting or i have lost counting already

Really? The first was at the start of the Vendee 4 years ago, when was the second?

i mean imocas this year.
maitre coq, gamesa, groupe bel

[Potter]

and another imoca dismasted before vendee globe.

Groupe Bel dismasted close to the Azores

third dismasting or i have lost counting already

Really? The first was at the start of the Vendee 4 years ago, when was the second?

i mean imocas this year.
maitre coq, gamesa, groupe bel

Ah. I guesss the thing with IMOA Class is that you cannot point a finger at any single thing, as the rigs are all so different. The fact of the matter is that they can fail for 1000 different reasons, and the mast is essentially the single most obvius weak point.
Hope those 3 are fighting fit for November.

[MGYR60]

Gamesa's failure was on the (IMOCA required) fixed forestay which all IMOCA's must have to prevent such an occurance, in this case, rather unexpectedly - the actual furler broke! The failure was on the metal part exending from the sealed bearing at the base of a single line furling drum, which basically sheared inside. Just to be clear our FF rig and rigging was absolutly not a factor and fortunatly (if you can say that about a dismasting) the mast was relatively undamaged only needing one of the spreader roots replacing. This work is underway now by FF and with any luck we will be out sailing again in a few weeks time. Just one of those things - but as has been said already - better now than this coming winter...

[Clovis]

Le 03 juin 2012
Classement de la deuxième étape de l’Europa Warm’Up (à 18h dimanche)
1- PRB (Vincent Riou, FRA) arrivé dimanche 3 juin 2012 à 11h22’50’’ en 7j18h22’50’’
2- MACIF (François Gabart, FRA) 7j19h33’58’’
3- Banque Populaire (Armel Le Cleac’h, FRA) 7j22h11’15’’
4- Cheminées Poujoulat (Bernard Stamm, SUI) 8j00h16’17’’
5- ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered (Javier Sanso, ESP) 8j21h12'22"

Abandons : Virbac-Paprec 3 (Jean-Pierre Dick), vérin de quille
Groupe Bel (Kito de Pavant), démâtage

[Icedtea]

Fair play to Riou, could be a good punt for the Vendee.

Wonder is Stamm beginning to wonder if he's sailing a lemon?

[oioi]

Gamesa's failure was on the (IMOCA required) fixed forestay which all IMOCA's must have to prevent such an occurance, in this case, rather unexpectedly - the actual furler broke! The failure was on the metal part exending from the sealed bearing at the base of a single line furling drum, which basically sheared inside. Just to be clear our FF rig and rigging was absolutly not a factor and fortunatly (if you can say that about a dismasting) the mast was relatively undamaged only needing one of the spreader roots replacing. This work is underway now by FF and with any luck we will be out sailing again in a few weeks time. Just one of those things - but as has been said already - better now than this coming winter...

if you hadnt dropped the rig were you planning on doing the Europa Warmup?

[pogen]

Well, google translate has "Maître CoQ" = Master Cock, make of it what you will.

Maître CoQ, the monohull on which Jérémie Beyou will start the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe this coming November, was christened on Sunday in Les Sables d’Olonne. Its prestigious godfather, French swimmer Alain Bernard, traditionally broke the champagne bottle on the boat’s hull during a ceremony also attended by Michel Desjoyeaux, Vendée General Council President Bruno Retailleau and Maître CoQ General manager Stéphane Sallé.

story here

[Potter]

Looks like Bertrand de Broc has the old Brit Air.

[rmb]

affirmative

[mad]

Fair play to Riou, could be a good punt for the Vendee.

Wonder is Stamm beginning to wonder if he's sailing a lemon?

Not sure why Stamm went for a JK design, the last effort wasn't very successful.

[Icedtea]

Fair play to Riou, could be a good punt for the Vendee.

Wonder is Stamm beginning to wonder if he's sailing a lemon?

Not sure why Stamm went for a JK design, the last effort wasn't very successful.

Same, but things are far from settled... Think Acciona might have some legs when Bubi is up to speed? He won't be in for the win I'm sure but I think he'll do well if he finishes

[LeoV]

Just to inspire for the 2016 Vendee, Nandor Fa will be back. Zoltek as sponsor. Hope he will make it.
http://www.zoltek.co...-racing-vessel/

[moody frog]

Just to inspire for the 2016 Vendee, Nandor Fa will be back. Zoltek as sponsor. Hope he will make it.
http://www.zoltek.com/zoltek-to-supply-carbon-fiber-for-around-the-world-ocean-racing-vessel/

Thanks for the info and link, Leo, pretty interesting to see Nandor's business ventures and him building-up single-handed racing on the Balaton, pretty good sailors down there ! Hungarians in the mini someday ?

Attached Files

•  keszthely-kenese-szolo.jpg   73.45K   68 downloads

[MSafiri]

Just to inspire for the 2016 Vendee, Nandor Fa will be back. Zoltek as sponsor. Hope he will make it.
http://www.zoltek.com/zoltek-to-supply-carbon-fiber-for-around-the-world-ocean-racing-vessel/

Un-fcuking-believable!!!! A great news, he made it 5th last time he went around, hope he will be at least as much competitive. Hard to decide for whom to root. Being Hungarian, of course, Nandor is the winner, living in France....well that is another story with so many racers....

[LeoV]

Hi Moody, is that an own Fa design that 77 ? It aint a mini..

MSafari, glad it made your day. Fa is in my book a Corinthian style sailor. So will be cheering for him...
He knows the money pitfalls etc, so I reckon he will make it.

[MSafiri]

Hi Moody, is that an own Fa design that 77 ? It aint a mini..

MSafari, glad it made your day. Fa is in my book a Corinthian style sailor. So will be cheering for him...
He knows the money pitfalls etc, so I reckon he will make it.

LeoV, it was a great dig, you made. Hoped for years that he will have another go, after the failures he had last time. I think one of his boat is still sailed by Dinelli, which proves - at least to me - that he knows how to design one and how to build one.

Though seeing the state Hungary is in now, I doubt a bit that he will be able to get sponsorship there. Hope he will make it, with a great boat. Will go this year to see the start, but will go there in 2016 FOR SURE!

Cheers,

MSafiri

[moody frog]

Hi Moody, is that an own Fa design that 77 ? It aint a mini..

MSafari, glad it made your day. Fa is in my book a Corinthian style sailor. So will be cheering for him...
He knows the money pitfalls etc, so I reckon he will make it.

No Leo it's not a mini, just a boat for local single-handed racing, from what I read Fa input is launching and supporting a singlehanded racing association with several races a year.

Went through the links in your post
see: association

[Clovis]

Update on Liz' adventures: http://www.vendeeglo...-challenge.html

C.

[Clovis]

AT's video here:
Not very interesting though, kind of a clip rather than a summary of the Atlantic record.

Almost three months to the Vendee Globe now!

C.

[atg]

Unrelated, to the record, but nice high-tech animation: pretty much all the water is fake.

AT's video here: http://www.youtube.c...d&v=IXf60PQq-Nk
Not very interesting though, kind of a clip rather than a summary of the Atlantic record.

Almost three months to the Vendee Globe now!

C.

[Alysum]

I was reading Robin Knox Johnson's book on the Velux 2006 and there was a good account by Mike Golding about his rescue of Alex Thomson (scary stuff) then his dismasting.
On top of Mike's dismasting in the 2008 Vendee Globe and the recent forestay failure dismasting = 3 dismastings , this bloke is having a run of bad luck with masts! I hope he finally completes the race this year...

[Icedtea]

I was reading Robin Knox Johnson's book on the Velux 2006 and there was a good account by Mike Golding about his rescue of Alex Thomson (scary stuff) then his dismasting.
On top of Mike's dismasting in the 2008 Vendee Globe and the recent forestay failure dismasting = 3 dismastings , this bloke is having a run of bad luck with masts! I hope he finally completes the race this year...

IMO Mike is an excellent sailor who unlike Thompson, has real results behind his bad luck.

If he gets a good Craic at it with Gamesa, which until the mast breaking had proved herself to be a quick and solid boat, I think he could do very well this time round...

[hermitCrab]

Can anyone post a link to the geovoile tracking from the 2008-9 edition? I can't find it on the Vendee Globe or Geovoile websites.

[DtM]

Any recent news on the Vendee preparations?

[victor t]

Any recent news on the Vendee preparations?

there's a weekly update on the teams preparation status on the French version of the VG website. You can broadly get what it says by googletranslating it into English.

Other than that, I understand there was a training session in Brittany with around ten Imocas last week. Anyone has inside information on the performances of the boats and skippers?

[Potter]

Go to the English Language part of the VG site, and you can sign up for English email updates. Also their Facebook page does updates in English, French or Spanish.

Unfortunately, like a lot of events, their budget has been cut so they will not have Andy Robertson for the actual race this time. I think there will only be Fr journos in house this time. There will be written update son the English site, but not of the same standard; also Andy was very good on the audio. Pity.

[mad]

Go to the English Language part of the VG site, and you can sign up for English email updates. Also their Facebook page does updates in English, French or Spanish.

Unfortunately, like a lot of events, their budget has been cut so they will not have Andy Robertson for the actual race this time. I think there will only be Fr journos in house this time. There will be written update son the English site, but not of the same standard; also Andy was very good on the audio. Pity.

How are your translation skills?

[Potter]

Go to the English Language part of the VG site, and you can sign up for English email updates. Also their Facebook page does updates in English, French or Spanish.

Unfortunately, like a lot of events, their budget has been cut so they will not have Andy Robertson for the actual race this time. I think there will only be Fr journos in house this time. There will be written update son the English site, but not of the same standard; also Andy was very good on the audio. Pity.

How are your translation skills?

Terrible still. They have a English language writer doing some stuff, but I will reserve judgement at the moment.

[mad]

Go to the English Language part of the VG site, and you can sign up for English email updates. Also their Facebook page does updates in English, French or Spanish.

Unfortunately, like a lot of events, their budget has been cut so they will not have Andy Robertson for the actual race this time. I think there will only be Fr journos in house this time. There will be written update son the English site, but not of the same standard; also Andy was very good on the audio. Pity.

How are your translation skills?

Terrible still. They have a English language writer doing some stuff, but I will reserve judgement at the moment.

Is Sam going round this time? She would be a great option for the job.

[moody frog]

Go to the English Language part of the VG site, and you can sign up for English email updates. Also their Facebook page does updates in English, French or Spanish.

Unfortunately, like a lot of events, their budget has been cut so they will not have Andy Robertson for the actual race this time. I think there will only be Fr journos in house this time. There will be written update son the English site, but not of the same standard; also Andy was very good on the audio. Pity.

How are your translation skills?

Terrible still. They have a English language writer doing some stuff, but I will reserve judgement at the moment.

Is Sam going round this time? She would be a great option for the job.

She is definitely going, for the sake of breton tomatoes !

http://www.samdavies.com/?langue=en

[mad]

Go to the English Language part of the VG site, and you can sign up for English email updates. Also their Facebook page does updates in English, French or Spanish.

Unfortunately, like a lot of events, their budget has been cut so they will not have Andy Robertson for the actual race this time. I think there will only be Fr journos in house this time. There will be written update son the English site, but not of the same standard; also Andy was very good on the audio. Pity.

How are your translation skills?

Terrible still. They have a English language writer doing some stuff, but I will reserve judgement at the moment.

Is Sam going round this time? She would be a great option for the job.

She is definitely going, for the sake of breton tomatoes !

http://www.samdavies.com/?langue=en

Thanks for the link.

[pogen]

Good article in the UK edition of the Huffington Post


Can a Brit Win the Vendee Globe 2012-13?


The author does not seem to have a sailing background, or does not describe it, but has a lot of enthusiasm for the event.

Here is some background on her: A Modern Military Mother Does the Vendee Globe

[victor t]

A new IMOCA by Juan K should enter the BWR with Martinez and Fernandez http://pontoon.es/20...andez/#more-734

Anyone knows how Stamm's Imoca is going vs. other boats (especially Verdier designs)? Someone heard any gossip regarding boat performances after the training sessions in Port-la-forest?

[trimor3]

@endeavourquay just posted video of Mike Golding's Gamesa going ashore at the yard for final work before the Vendee.

http://www.youtube.c...Qk&feature=plcp

[LeoV]

Its getting harder to find a favourite, must mean that the field is more equal in skills.
But I support Tanguy, great guy, and sponsor is great, as is the colorscheme of the boat, I have sailed on a 21 ft version of it

[mad]

A new IMOCA by Juan K should enter the BWR with Martinez and Fernandez http://pontoon.es/20...andez/#more-734

Anyone knows how Stamm's Imoca is going vs. other boats (especially Verdier designs)? Someone heard any gossip regarding boat performances after the training sessions in Port-la-forest?

Sounds like you may know something?

Apart from Stamm's JK 60, have any more JK boats raced yet? Any news on what happened on that Transat race?

[pogen]

writeup in Daily Sail, with the official roster

http://www.thedailys...ppers-announced




This was news to me: "Bertrand de Broc (famous for the surgery he performed on his own tongue in the 1996 race)"

Wow.

[Clovis]

This was news to me: "Bertrand de Broc (famous for the surgery he performed on his own tongue in the 1996 race)"
Wow.

Yes, as far as i remember he was hit by the boom, chopped his tongue off with the teeth, but managed to call the race's surgeon and stitch it back, guided by phone. maybe it was a bit less dramatic, but I was a teen back then and found it super cool
One of the reasons that got little me interested into sailing (for the adventure side of it, as a pure spectator, before i started sailing then racing myself)...

[mad]

This was news to me: "Bertrand de Broc (famous for the surgery he performed on his own tongue in the 1996 race)"
Wow.

Yes, as far as i remember he was hit by the boom, chopped his tongue off with the teeth, but managed to call the race's surgeon and stitch it back, guided by phone. maybe it was a bit less dramatic, but I was a teen back then and found it super cool
One of the reasons that got little me interested into sailing (for the adventure side of it, as a pure spectator, before i started sailing then racing myself)...

Remember that story as well, pretty tough guy.

[Speng]

Favourite's gotta be JPD but the field is stacked! Even though it's fairly old Sam's got a great boat. The English speakers have a good lineup this time. Of course AT and MG don't have good recent finishing form but if they get around without excessive drama any of the three could easily be in the top 5. Maybe Liz Wardley could get herself some exposure by being the English language race commentator. Nothing like being the voice of a race to get the sponsors attention. It will be interesting to see this eco-powered boats. i think it's actually fairly easy to do this today considering the performance of the boats and where they do most of the race. You have to figure for most of the race that they'll have AWS of over 20kt and average boat speed for the entire race in double figures will make for a lot of wind and water power. Perhaps the class might make this wave of the future with just enough engine & fuel to meet the Cat 0 requirement

[Jedrek]

Gutek new boat /right now finish qualific./http://www.vendeeglo...-gutkowski.html

[Presuming Ed]

Bit naughty of Mark Guillemot to miss his court hearing about breaking TSS rules (allegedly). Arrest warrant issued! How long before the "Perfidious Albion trying to nobble Sam's rival" stories start?

http://www.yachtingm...-french-skipper

[Clovis]

Bit naughty of Mark Guillemot to miss his court hearing about breaking TSS rules (allegedly). Arrest warrant issued! How long before the "Perfidious Albion trying to nobble Sam's rival" stories start?
http://www.yachtingm...-french-skipper

Theyhave already started http://lebras.blogs....etvoiliers.com/

[Jedrek]

http://www.tvn24.pl/...nym,280895.html
below article /secund move clip/

[Jedrek]

http://www.vendeeglo...nde-boucle.html

[MR.CLEAN]

If you are planning to be there and are looking for a place to stay, we have the Anarchy apartment just meters from the race village for ten days prior to the start and have some spare space for a good price. Check in here.

[Laurent]

Go to the English Language part of the VG site, and you can sign up for English email updates. Also their Facebook page does updates in English, French or Spanish.

Unfortunately, like a lot of events, their budget has been cut so they will not have Andy Robertson for the actual race this time. I think there will only be Fr journos in house this time. There will be written update son the English site, but not of the same standard; also Andy was very good on the audio. Pity.

How are your translation skills?

Terrible still. They have a English language writer doing some stuff, but I will reserve judgement at the moment.

I'll see what I can do, but do not count on me for translating all the vid's every day, like for BPV!!! I have a new job, crazy schedule, still married, and I want it to stay that way...

Laurent

[forss]

Any photos about Gutek new boat?
Does it have hugo boss branding or energa?

[Chilli Eater]

Any body got a guess on the top 3 finishes??????? having truble thinking of 3 as its a great fleet........Chilli will be at the the start

[Marvin]

Any photos about Gutek new boat?
Does it have hugo boss branding or energa?

From Polish Ocean Racing on Facebook...

[Jedrek]

This is ex.Operon,New Energa /ex.Hugo Boss/Is in Gosport /Eng / and is been refreshed.

[Roleur]

We've got our tickets and hotel booked. Looking forward to the weekend, then a few days in Paris afterward. Never been to either place before.

Great lineup for start. Seems a hell of lot more interesting than 5.5 boats in the Volvo.

[titop]

Dont forget Vincent Riou !!!!!!! and armel lecleach.
I hope Bernard Stamm will be right there as I meet him onc and he is a good guy wich had bad luck last time....so as many....

[Tucky]

I'll see what I can do, but do not count on me for translating all the vid's every day, like for BPV!!! I have a new job, crazy schedule, still married, and I want it to stay that way...

Laurent

Uhhhh, Laurent, some of us absolutely count on you Your translations have brought me and many others much pleasure- I hope you feel appreciated.

[us7070]

We've got our tickets and hotel booked. Looking forward to the weekend, then a few days in Paris afterward. Never been to either place before.

Great lineup for start. Seems a hell of lot more interesting than 5.5 boats in the Volvo.

I'm Jealous..., I'd love to get there to see the spectacle.

I also agree with you about the comparison with the Volvo - that race hasn't held my attention for a longtime now.

The last Vendee was pretty interesting,, and I'm hoping this one will be even better.

As far as I'm concerned, the Vendee is the pinnacle of ocean racing.

[Keith]

I'll see what I can do, but do not count on me for translating all the vid's every day, like for BPV!!! I have a new job, crazy schedule, still married, and I want it to stay that way...

Laurent

Uhhhh, Laurent, some of us absolutely count on you Your translations have brought me and many others much pleasure- I hope you feel appreciated.

+100

[mad]

Go to the English Language part of the VG site, and you can sign up for English email updates. Also their Facebook page does updates in English, French or Spanish.

Unfortunately, like a lot of events, their budget has been cut so they will not have Andy Robertson for the actual race this time. I think there will only be Fr journos in house this time. There will be written update son the English site, but not of the same standard; also Andy was very good on the audio. Pity.

How are your translation skills?

Terrible still. They have a English language writer doing some stuff, but I will reserve judgement at the moment.

I'll see what I can do, but do not count on me for translating all the vid's every day, like for BPV!!! I have a new job, crazy schedule, still married, and I want it to stay that way...

Laurent

Be much appreciated if you could translate the technical boat/rig issues and some of more detailed interviews. There's a lot left down to translation and interpretation.

[mad]

Dont forget Vincent Riou !!!!!!! and armel lecleach.
I hope Bernard Stamm will be right there as I meet him onc and he is a good guy wich had bad luck last time....so as many....

Any news on the new JK design? Radical, light, fast, slow, issues etc
Seems to have been very quiet on the news about the project.

[Icedtea]

Dont forget Vincent Riou !!!!!!! and armel lecleach.
I hope Bernard Stamm will be right there as I meet him onc and he is a good guy wich had bad luck last time....so as many....

Any news on the new JK design? Radical, light, fast, slow, issues etc
Seems to have been very quiet on the news about the project.

They do say no news is good news, but in this case I'm not so sure.

But who knows, maybe the big boat will scream in the southern ocean?

[diggler]

I'll see what I can do, but do not count on me for translating all the vid's every day, like for BPV!!! I have a new job, crazy schedule, still married, and I want it to stay that way...

Laurent

Uhhhh, Laurent, some of us absolutely count on you Your translations have brought me and many others much pleasure- I hope you feel appreciated.

+100

+1000000

[Laurent]

Dont forget Vincent Riou !!!!!!! and armel lecleach.
I hope Bernard Stamm will be right there as I meet him onc and he is a good guy wich had bad luck last time....so as many....

Any news on the new JK design? Radical, light, fast, slow, issues etc
Seems to have been very quiet on the news about the project.

They do say no news is good news, but in this case I'm not so sure.

But who knows, maybe the big boat will scream in the southern ocean?

In the last webcast of the "Café de la Marine" that you can see at:
http://www.letelegra...-du-telegramme/

Bernard Stamm seemed happy but not overly confident. He explained that he chose JK not only because he liked him... but also because he was available and could work on the project. He even says (very quickly): "Guillaume did not have the time" (9:20 on the video) so maybe he would have preferred a Guillaume Verdier design...

He also says that they did make some mistakes; some of them have been corrected.
For instance, according to the IMOCA rules, you have to have a permanent stay that must be at least at 2/3 of the mast. They decided to use the staysail as the permanent stay, which means that he had to not only furl but also to take down the TWO front sails, solent and genoa. And the solent goes down at around 22 knots true wind... Getting that baby down, once furled, by yourself is apparently not a walk in the park, in 22 knots true wind... Bernard says: "it was war; you had to take your last neuron, put it in your biceps and stop thinking"!! So they came back to a more conventional set up earlier this year.

When asked it the boat is now ready and the way he wants it, he replies with some hesitation "yeah, it is like I want it, but right now, it's still a teenager!!!"
"It's not easy every day a teenager!" replies the journalist.
"Yeah, it still gives me a "foul play" once in a while" ("coup fourré" in slang French, I am not sure of the translation).

He also explains, with some humor, that you have to create a boat that is going to be better than the other ones... 3 years down the road. Including against the ones that do not exist yet...

Another booboo, apparently, is the shape of the roof. It's too low... Bernard says: "Juan is super happy, because for aerodynamics, it's super good. But when I stand, it's up to here (and he points to his arm, at the height of the biceps... 13:25 on the video). It's terrible, when we are going fast, you have 25 knots of water current on deck..."

And they did that eventhough they build a full scale mock up of the cockpit...

So maybe fast, but not perfect...


Laurent

[DtM]

Thank you Laurent.

I hope you can give us some transaltion. You have (as others have said) opened the mysteries of these races or record attempts to those of us who are too lazy (or in my case stupid) to learn your language.

Thank you x 1,000,000

[Jedrek]

http://www.youtube.c...d&v=95SHGXfxmEw

[Potter]

It seems like Andi Robertson will be covering from now until just after the start. Then another English writer is taking over, I guess the person who did the piece posted earlier, so not actually a sailing Journo like Andi. At least we will get good coverag of the start anyway.
Last time there were 7 Brits, and American and a Canadian. This time there are just 3 Brits and that includes Sam who will happily do French interviews (and rightly so as she has French sponsors). So there will not be as much direct content as last time.
Looking forward to seeing the start without the stress of knowing that I have to spend the next 3 months waiting for the phone to ring Though would obviously prefer to have the team in the race (I know it is a solo race, but I definitely think of it as a team effort). Ah well.

[Icedtea]

Hopefully we'll have brits to listen to all the way round, go Gamesa! I'm going for Mike this time round....

[victor t]

Dont forget Vincent Riou !!!!!!! and armel lecleach.
I hope Bernard Stamm will be right there as I meet him onc and he is a good guy wich had bad luck last time....so as many....

Any news on the new JK design? Radical, light, fast, slow, issues etc
Seems to have been very quiet on the news about the project.

They do say no news is good news, but in this case I'm not so sure.

But who knows, maybe the big boat will scream in the southern ocean?

doesn't look too slow here http://www.dailymoti...om/video/xu6ahe where stamm is smoking maitre coq (ex-foncia, former VG winner)

[torpenboat]

Hi,
Some close-up pictures here...
http://hot-yoting.bl...ndee-globe.html

Attached Files

•  vendée globe.jpg   225.72K   18 downloads

[Marvin]

Hi,
Some close-up pictures here...
http://hot-yoting.bl...ndee-globe.html

Awesome!! we need more...

Thanks for those.

[Speng]

IIRC last time they got some of the non-native English speakers to do some of the interviews in English - I think maybe Loick and Mich but maybe I'm confusing it with another race. I do remeber that in some of the previous races that there were interview skeds with the English speaking skippers on a website other than the official VG site. Like I said some enterprising young English offshore sailor could make a name by volunteering...

[torpenboat]

you can visit Safran here
(old but good stuff!!!)

[leRemorqueur]

Give your podium for the Vendée Globe 2012 : http://doodle.com/k4...uvkfirryv#table

@LeRemorqueur

[CPJIII]

Dont forget Vincent Riou !!!!!!! and armel lecleach.
I hope Bernard Stamm will be right there as I meet him onc and he is a good guy wich had bad luck last time....so as many....

Any news on the new JK design? Radical, light, fast, slow, issues etc
Seems to have been very quiet on the news about the project.

They do say no news is good news, but in this case I'm not so sure.

But who knows, maybe the big boat will scream in the southern ocean?

In the last webcast of the "Café de la Marine" that you can see at:
http://www.letelegra...-du-telegramme/

Bernard Stamm seemed happy but not overly confident. He explained that he chose JK not only because he liked him... but also because he was available and could work on the project. He even says (very quickly): "Guillaume did not have the time" (9:20 on the video) so maybe he would have preferred a Guillaume Verdier design...

He also says that they did make some mistakes; some of them have been corrected.
For instance, according to the IMOCA rules, you have to have a permanent stay that must be at least at 2/3 of the mast. They decided to use the staysail as the permanent stay, which means that he had to not only furl but also to take down the TWO front sails, solent and genoa. And the solent goes down at around 22 knots true wind... Getting that baby down, once furled, by yourself is apparently not a walk in the park, in 22 knots true wind... Bernard says: "it was war; you had to take your last neuron, put it in your biceps and stop thinking"!! So they came back to a more conventional set up earlier this year.

When asked it the boat is now ready and the way he wants it, he replies with some hesitation "yeah, it is like I want it, but right now, it's still a teenager!!!"
"It's not easy every day a teenager!" replies the journalist.
"Yeah, it still gives me a "foul play" once in a while" ("coup fourré" in slang French, I am not sure of the translation).

He also explains, with some humor, that you have to create a boat that is going to be better than the other ones... 3 years down the road. Including against the ones that do not exist yet...

Another booboo, apparently, is the shape of the roof. It's too low... Bernard says: "Juan is super happy, because for aerodynamics, it's super good. But when I stand, it's up to here (and he points to his arm, at the height of the biceps... 13:25 on the video). It's terrible, when we are going fast, you have 25 knots of water current on deck..."

And they did that eventhough they build a full scale mock up of the cockpit...

So maybe fast, but not perfect...


Laurent

Thanks again Laurent...

I am hoping Bernard wins it all. Hopefully he keeps this new boat together and just stays competitive, might be all we can ask for with his responses...all I know is he likes to go fast and is always pushing, fun to watch.

[mad]

Dont forget Vincent Riou !!!!!!! and armel lecleach.
I hope Bernard Stamm will be right there as I meet him onc and he is a good guy wich had bad luck last time....so as many....

Any news on the new JK design? Radical, light, fast, slow, issues etc
Seems to have been very quiet on the news about the project.

They do say no news is good news, but in this case I'm not so sure.

But who knows, maybe the big boat will scream in the southern ocean?

In the last webcast of the "Café de la Marine" that you can see at:
http://www.letelegra...-du-telegramme/

Bernard Stamm seemed happy but not overly confident. He explained that he chose JK not only because he liked him... but also because he was available and could work on the project. He even says (very quickly): "Guillaume did not have the time" (9:20 on the video) so maybe he would have preferred a Guillaume Verdier design...

He also says that they did make some mistakes; some of them have been corrected.
For instance, according to the IMOCA rules, you have to have a permanent stay that must be at least at 2/3 of the mast. They decided to use the staysail as the permanent stay, which means that he had to not only furl but also to take down the TWO front sails, solent and genoa. And the solent goes down at around 22 knots true wind... Getting that baby down, once furled, by yourself is apparently not a walk in the park, in 22 knots true wind... Bernard says: "it was war; you had to take your last neuron, put it in your biceps and stop thinking"!! So they came back to a more conventional set up earlier this year.

When asked it the boat is now ready and the way he wants it, he replies with some hesitation "yeah, it is like I want it, but right now, it's still a teenager!!!"
"It's not easy every day a teenager!" replies the journalist.
"Yeah, it still gives me a "foul play" once in a while" ("coup fourré" in slang French, I am not sure of the translation).

He also explains, with some humor, that you have to create a boat that is going to be better than the other ones... 3 years down the road. Including against the ones that do not exist yet...

Another booboo, apparently, is the shape of the roof. It's too low... Bernard says: "Juan is super happy, because for aerodynamics, it's super good. But when I stand, it's up to here (and he points to his arm, at the height of the biceps... 13:25 on the video). It's terrible, when we are going fast, you have 25 knots of water current on deck..."

And they did that eventhough they build a full scale mock up of the cockpit...

So maybe fast, but not perfect...


Laurent

Thanks Laurent, some of Bernards comments sound a bit ominous. Sounds like JK designed a boat and forgot that a human being has to sail it.

[Corley]

I notice that on ocean-racing.net you can view the English translation of the French Ocean Racing magazine the last free edition on the web has an extensive artivle on the Vendee Globe and an interview with Mich Desj about the race.

http://www.ocean-racing.net

[Keith]

I notice that on ocean-racing.net you can view the English translation of the French Ocean Racing magazine the last free edition on the web has an extensive artivle on the Vendee Globe and an interview with Mich Desj about the race.

http://www.ocean-racing.net

Thanks, that's a great find.....