24 replies to this topic

[Panoramix]

The race has never been so opened and with all the boats so close, it is tough to guess.

My best guess: on the podium Groupama, Puma and Telefonica.

Order? That's really tricky, Puma is the most consistent boat so imho they will finish at least second. Groupama had a bit of low during this leg but it could be attributed to one single mistake but if they keep finishing ahead of Telefonica like they've done for a long time save the broken mast they will eventually overtake them in Lorient

Ok I will say 1) Groupama 2) Puma 3) Telefonica

I have to admit that I am French and a Groupama fan and can't decide who of Puma and Groupama will be ahead, plus Camper or Telefonica could find momentum again!

[Tunnel Rat]

Since the Sanya In-Port Race the points have been like this:

Puma 99
Gpma 82
Tele 69
Camp 69
AbuD 29
Sanya 9

Puma are the only boat who haven't had a pit-stop, but still scored points in a leg - if they had dropped their mast near the Brazilian coast and jury rigged it or got a new mast flown out and completed Leg 1, they would be 2pts off Tele. I think they will keep their momentum going and win it. But I hope it's all to play for leaving Lorient.

[Panoramix]

@Tunnel rat, interesting but hopefully Groupama won't drop another mast. If they hadn't lost their mast, it would be Puma 94 and Groupama 92. I think that performance wise the 2 are very close right now even if Puma now has a slight edge due to the last leg. But then in European waters Groupama will be on homeground.

[Lexpat]

@Tunnel rat, interesting but hopefully Groupama won't drop another mast. If they hadn't lost their mast, it would be Puma 94 and Groupama 92. I think that performance wise the 2 are very close right now even if Puma now has a slight edge due to the last leg. But then in European waters Groupama will be on homeground.

Tele will be at home too.
I think it might be : 1- Puma, 2- tele, 3- Groupama .
My wish : 1- Groupama , 2- Puma, 3- Tele.

[josselin]

Telephonica will be less at home with an australian navigator no?

I wish Groupama to win but the competition is really intense between those 4 teams and I do think any of them can win!

we are really close to a One design class now with minor techical advantage with the boats.

[harzak]

Podium: Groupama, Puma, Telefonica.

Winner: Telefonica.

Even though Puma is the in-form team and Groupama has refound the speed with their new mast, I think the most likely winner is Telefonica. TF has a point buffer, and at least equal boat speed. They'd better be patient when behind though (I'm thinking of that high risk north turn in the last leg).

[Panoramix]

Telephonica will be less at home with an australian navigator no?

I wish Groupama to win but the competition is really intense between those 4 teams and I do think any of them can win!

we are really close to a One design class now with minor techical advantage with the boats.

Yes, I don't think that there are many figaro sailors on telefonica or Puma and that could be a real advantage for the last two legs (Basically once they are North of La Coruna.

[SailBlueH2O]

Standings before or after the Earth's magnetic poles shift...

[~HHN92~]

Voted for the home team Puma to pull it off, but feel confident that they will at least be on the podium.

[Panoramix]

Mmmmmh, so if we are to "aggregate" the collective wisdom of the forum, this would be:
1) Telefonica
2) Puma
3) Groupama

We will see, not my personal guess but we will see what happens!

[Pierre S]

Any of the top 4 could win, but Camper don't seem to be able to get their act together. My guess would be:
1) Tele (points buffer, fast boat, familiarity with the area around Las Canarias)
2) Groupama (close to Tele, familiarity with drag races around the North Atlantic)
3) Puma

My hope would be:
1) Groupama
2) Puma
3) Tele

[gybe-ho!]

I have to agree with the collective thought here, top three in no order Groupama, Telefonica, Puma.

Funny how no one is backing Clifford to make a comeback! Further to Clean's interview Walker seems to confirm that they are just not quick in any direction offshore and have to hope tactics/nav will put them into a spot where thay can lever an advantage, unlikely with history of past legs. Sanya, well, they're in it to shake up the standings...still to see that happen.

For me, hope the Puma continues their recent form.

[schakel]

Who could have told, Groupama first place in general scoreboard.
What about the golden rule that the winner of the first leg has 75% chance to win overall.
Well this is the exception to the rule. But the race isn't over yet.
One of the most nail biting VOR's I have ever seen

[gybe-ho!]

I have to agree with the collective thought here, top three in no order Groupama, Telefonica, Puma.

Funny how no one is backing Clifford to make a comeback! Further to Clean's interview Walker seems to confirm that they are just not quick in any direction offshore and have to hope tactics/nav will put them into a spot where thay can lever an advantage, unlikely with history of past legs. Sanya, well, they're in it to shake up the standings...still to see that happen.

For me, hope the Puma continues their recent form.

Happy to see Abu Hamble pull this one off and prove me wrong (see above), smart tactics got them ahead and they managed to stay there...just! Clifford still managed to choke, even when Tele was wounded. Sanya, forever in the Caboose, but they finished the leg and not so far back either. The french nearly got Abu Hamble and Puma...well, hell of a job up the river to hang onto 3rd.

Still the same prediction for the top 3. You'd hope that Abu Hamble would have a little knowledge over the fleet as they based out of Cascais for training, so this in port and next leg are going to be primo for them to exert ANY advantage they may have. Again you have to back Groupama for Local knowledge in the North Atlantic and into their home port of Lorient...who said this race needs something else to make it interesting?

Final thought, Go Puma!

[couchsurfer]

............. But the race isn't over yet....
One of the most nail biting VOR's I have ever seen

....soooo many variables,,,VERY entertaining,,
...reminds me why I'm sooo glad I don't take racing seriously anymore

.... nothing flakier than trying to 'capitalize on the variables of the wind'

[alcoholfunnycar]

Can't tell who will win the race, but Farr Yacht Design is going to walk off with the big bucks: the new Volvo OD class.

[Panoramix]

I am still thinking

1) G4 2) Puma 3) Telefonica

Camper could be helping G4 and Puma a bit more though

[couchsurfer]

Can't tell who will win the race, but Farr Yacht Design is going to walk off with the big bucks: the new Volvo OD class.

[couchsurfer]

Camper could be helping G4 and Puma a bit more though

...we just watched the 2nd last boat win a leg,,
...methinks -any- of the boats can take points,,add variables--yacht racing

[Mexican]

Telefonica
Groupama
Puma

[schakel]

............. But the race isn't over yet....
One of the most nail biting VOR's I have ever seen

....soooo many variables,,,VERY entertaining,,
...reminds me why I'm sooo glad I don't take racing seriously anymore

.... nothing flakier than trying to 'capitalize on the variables of the wind'

But still the good ones keep on winning despite the variables of wind and tide.
I think it's a good debut by Frank Gammas and Iker Martinez in the VOR.
Perhaps we see them both back in the new VOR. In what boat ever is to be decided.
Of Groupama I know they have their sponsorship for the next VOR "in the pocket".

Is there any news on the Telephonica campaign for the next VOR?

[edelweis]

Groupama
Telefonica
Puma

Think Galway Inport will bring decision

[schakel]

Groupama
Telefonica
Puma

Think Galway Inport will bring decision

That would be a very last minute win.

[IBro]

....
I think it's a good debut by Frank Gammas and Iker Martinez in the VOR.
.....

Iker was practicaly a coskipper on teleblue last year if I remember correct....

Groupama is the team with less VOR experiance on board(last year Nelis on Green Dragon for 1 or 2 legs, IKEA watch on E///3, Foxhall on Green Dragon, Marsh ... hmm shore crew with E///4 .... Coiville .... a long time ago)

[schakel]

....
I think it's a good debut by Frank Gammas and Iker Martinez in the VOR.
.....

Iker was practicaly a coskipper on teleblue last year if I remember correct....

Groupama is the team with less VOR experiance on board(last year Nelis on Green Dragon for 1 or 2 legs, IKEA watch on E///3, Foxhall on Green Dragon, Marsh ... hmm shore crew with E///4 .... Coiville .... a long time ago)

You are right: Iker Martínez was onboard the “movistar” VO 70 for the 2005-2006 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, calling the tactics for the inshore racing He was back in the ocean sailing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009. As co-skipper onboard “Telefónica Blue”

Here is the source:
http://www.teamtelefonica.com/en/the_crew/1/Iker-Martinez

Here is what his face looks like:

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