64 replies to this topic

[MR.CLEAN]

If you haven't seen them yet, the 'LiveX' concept is simple; Every other day while at sea, VOR headquarters gets the skipper of each boat on video to answer questions for 10 or 15 minutes and show the fans what they're experiencing, and it's all livestreamed through, well, Livestream. It's a great look into what fans will someday be able to expect from all the great races; live video that brings you right into the cockpit of the boat just like in-car cameras do for auto racing.

Apparently, someone at VOR headquarters liked our interviews a lot, because they asked if we'd like to conduct Wednesday's live video interview with Ken Read aboard Mar Mostro as they hurdle toward the Brittany coast. And of course, the best stuff on Sailing Anarchy always comes from the Anarchists, so here's a chance to get an answer for what you most want to know about this leg, the Puma team, or anything else that you think the Puma team can answer in a short time in potentially nuclear conditions.

So ask your questions here, and I'll let you know what VOR says in response to my request that they send over some swag for the best question.

You can watch our live interview with Kenny on Wednesday at 1700 UTC/1200 EDT/0900 PDT. The live stuff autoloads if you leave VOR Livestream channel up in a tab, and switch over when you hear the sound come on.

[catmanjr]

Hmmm questions...
I'll toss a few up.

It appears that you don't like the prospects of the VOR going OD. But will it really make a difference to you?
Anything you're looking forward to with the OD, if so what?
Do you find the shortened leg more tactical and precise than the longer leg?
Do you see yourself doing another Volvo?
If you could choose a design or parameters for the next VOR what would it be?





Don't mind my picture. Its unrelated.

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[gybe-ho!]

Are you tempted by the new freeze dried bartered by Amo, or are you still running the PB+J's?

[Irascibull]

How much design influence did you have with Juan K? how similar are the three Juan K boats? Where are the differences? Do you feel that Juan K has done a better job for one team at the expense of the other two? By three of the five competitive teams using the same designer, are you not already on the way to OD?

[dumper]

what are the teams plans for after the race? more volvos or call it a day?

[ALittleLoose]

If each team had a ~150# weight bonus for some non-sailing related crew "luxury", what would you bring? What are the 1-2 things that you miss the most while sailing around the world due to the spartan nature of the boats? (digital porn does't weigh anything!)

[schakel]

How would you feel if the VOR is being raced in the MOD70 catamaran?
Don't you think the mono's surf nicer of the waves?
How do feel of installing shelterspace aboard the VOR's just like on the Hugo Boss Imoca of Alex Thomson?
It's not a flushdeck I know, but would make life of sailors aboard a lot easier?

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[roca]

-what difference in your crew work/shifts between the longest legs (20-25 days) and these short ones (5-6 days)? Do you like most the short or the long legs? why?

- are there appreciable difference in speed between shifts/helms on your boat in same wind conditions? and in particoular conditions like night or strong wind etc.? are you managing that too on a tactical / strategical point of view? can you estimate that on other boats? do you consider that on a tactical /strategic point of view?

- has the racing level onboard really raised from last race has it seems from outside? or is it just boats performance very close?

- are the wind conditions and angles found in this VOR untill today similar to your expectations and which lead your boat and sail optimization? would you favour other sailing angles or wind speed in a future development on same course?

- what are the biggest innovations to land on smaller boats from this VOR? rigging? sails? software? energy production and management? deck hardware? sat communications? (french? )

- you said racing VOR is probably the toughest job in the world right now. most of the other guys in this race could not earn so much outside of this race. But you have a North sails' VP job back home. why are you still doing it? would you do once more? would winning once the race change this perspective?

these are the first in mind, feel obviously free to edit to better english or better/shorter journalistic cut!

[Novy1]

If you haven't seen them yet, the 'LiveX' concept is simple; Every other day while at sea, VOR headquarters gets the skipper of each boat on video to answer questions for 10 or 15 minutes and show the fans what they're experiencing, and it's all livestreamed through, well, Livestream. It's a great look into what fans will someday be able to expect from all the great races; live video that brings you right into the cockpit of the boat just like in-car cameras do for auto racing.

Apparently, someone at VOR headquarters liked our interviews a lot, because they asked if we'd like to conduct Wednesday's live video interview with Ken Read aboard Mar Mostro as they hurdle toward the Brittany coast. And of course, the best stuff on Sailing Anarchy always comes from the Anarchists, so here's a chance to get an answer for what you most want to know about this leg, the Puma team, or anything else that you think the Puma team can answer in a short time in potentially nuclear conditions.

So ask your questions here, and I'll let you know what VOR says in response to my request that they send over some swag for the best question.

You can watch our live interview with Kenny on Wednesday at 1700 UTC/1200 EDT/0900 PDT. The live stuff autoloads if you leave VOR Livestream channel up in a tab, and switch over when you hear the sound come on.

What is the top speed you've logged in this Volvo? What was the most extreme moment?

[DRIFTW00D]

Thinking about shit in the water to run in to old containers, Big waves banging with big fish and bigger whales in them. How do u sleep at night?

[sucky bus]

Ask Ken doll

You mono sailors are getting your asses handed to you on a plate by the superb frog Peyron n rtw multi specialist..
At what stage are the Volvo sailors going to grow some and tell race management to get with the game, htfu, lose the last century and go multi??

[Lost in Translation]

Why Farr for the OD boat given the success of Juan K? What makes Juan's boats special from a sailor's perspective (Ken has a great background for that question)?
How are the sponsors feeling and will they be back?
When will we see Salma Hayek racing with them?

[the loose cannon]

At this stage in the race there is not much need for secrets - so:
What was the most effective change that was made to the boat (probably in Sanya, since there was no real optimization time before that.)

How important has your spaceman spiff super ultra frickin Laser speed measurer on the bottom of the keel been to getting the boat up to speed?

Are you excited or angry that the Kings finally won the Stanley Cup?

Can the fleet ride this low all the way to the finish, and is it going to be a case of Send it or Break it to determine the winner?

[dumper]

How do you think your boat has performed? What changes would you make to it if you could do the whole campaign again?

[~HHN92~]

What music plays in your head when standing a long stint at the wheel? Do circumstances affect it? When behind some blues, when ahead something rockin'?

I always liked Deep Purple's 'Highway Star'

"Nobody gonna beat my car.................."

[in_TO]

What is the function of the second set of numbers on the tacking lines on the deck near the front of the cockpit? There are the standard set of degrees, with 90 on the beam, and 10 degree increments fore and aft of that, but starting at 90 and going forward, there is a second set of numbers. At 90, the inside number is 135, at 80 it is 140 (so 5 degrees for every 10, and increasing, not decreasing). 70, 145; 60, 150. See this photo.

[2XD]

who broke the head / dunny the worst?

[windnshit]

a) I want to be your MCM next race. How do I do it?
and

What are your thoughts on a possible OD move for the next race?
and
c) What's been your favourite leg so far, either tactically or for sheer thrill?

[mosailn]

Strategery Q from the Top; Now that your about to turn the corner you are about to face big; seas, breezes and pressures all in the quest for glory. Kenny, have the PUMA / BERG exec's whispered in your and ear and said "go for it" ? Go for the 24 hr record, put 30 pts on the board and let's go out in a blaze of glory?

[parkershinn]

Two questions for Mar Mostro from me:

1) You guys are pushing the boat to its limit right now. What are you most scared will break?
2) How worried are you about this and is it keeping you up at night?

[SparxFly]

Did Kimo tell you that he's put the boat up for sale? (A bit cheeky, but fun and a chance for everyone watching to know about it...)

Discussing the future of VO70 class you said that Puma had managed to build the boat for significantly less than what other teams spent on theirs and you offered that as a model for going forwards. As the only boat not to have significant hull damage throughout the race you also managed to build it strong; what were some of the key things that your group did that kept the costs down and the quality up?

[Left Hook]

What is the function of the second set of numbers on the tacking lines on the deck near the front of the cockpit? There are the standard set of degrees, with 90 on the beam, and 10 degree increments fore and aft of that, but starting at 90 and going forward, there is a second set of numbers. At 90, the inside number is 135, at 80 it is 140 (so 5 degrees for every 10, and increasing, not decreasing). 70, 145; 60, 150. See this photo.

Gybe angles?

[MR.CLEAN]

You can imagine with about a 10 minute limit that I am going to try to keep these questions focused on the leg at hand. Lots of good ones though, keep 'em coming!

[Jambalaya]

Do you change the watch system on these "sprint legs" vs longer legs.
Is it harder to get into the rhythm of racing offshore knowning the leg is relatively short, time-wise at least
Do you find these sprint legs easier or harder tactically ?
Does the leg feel more like an inshore race in terms of boat on boat tactics vs a longer ocean leg.

[Panoramix]

You seem to have the most consistent boat whereas others have strong and weak points. Was this a conscious choice at design stage?

[o69u812]

For the single guys, sorry Kenny.
Who have you wished you could have waiting for you on the dock, and as the leg got longer would you have traded her for a double double, animal fries and a milk shake?

[valor]

1700 UTC is 1pm EDT and 10am PDT...UTC-4 hours. What time will you be conducting the interview?

"You can watch our live interview with Kenny on Wednesday at 1700 UTC/1200 EDT/0900 PDT. The live stuff autoloads if you leave VOR Livestream channel up in a tab, and switch over when you hear the sound come on."

[dangerboy]

How much time do you spend explaining the wind and sea state to each other?

[in_TO]

What is the function of the second set of numbers on the tacking lines on the deck near the front of the cockpit?

Gybe angles?

Duh. Of course. If your target TWA for a given wind strength is 135, then you are laying the leeward mark when it is 90 on your beam. If your TWA target is 140, then you are laying it at 80, etc.

[MR.CLEAN]

1700 UTC is 1pm EDT and 10am PDT...UTC-4 hours. What time will you be conducting the interview?

"You can watch our live interview with Kenny on Wednesday at 1700 UTC/1200 EDT/0900 PDT. The live stuff autoloads if you leave VOR Livestream channel up in a tab, and switch over when you hear the sound come on."

Thanks for the tip. You're right, we are UTC - 4, so 1700 UTC/1300 EDT/1000 PDT. WIll correct.

[~HHN92~]

1700 UTC is 1pm EDT and 10am PDT...UTC-4 hours. What time will you be conducting the interview?

"You can watch our live interview with Kenny on Wednesday at 1700 UTC/1200 EDT/0900 PDT. The live stuff autoloads if you leave VOR Livestream channel up in a tab, and switch over when you hear the sound come on."

Thanks for the tip. You're right, we are UTC - 4, so 1700 UTC/1300 EDT/1000 PDT. WIll correct.

Glad I checked back. 1300 EST fits my schedule better.

[csmovi]

Ask Him what performance gains, if any, he got out of 3Di over the traditional 3DL product.

I know you guys like to bash North but here is a chance to see how these worked in the first real long duration test they have had.

[umpire]

Ask Ken doll

You mono sailors are getting your asses handed to you on a plate by the superb frog Peyron n rtw multi specialist..
At what stage are the Volvo sailors going to grow some and tell race management to get with the game, htfu, lose the last century and go multi??

^
More rum required here.

[JL92S]

what are the chances he'll do the race again

[atg]

What are the prospects of getting these boats to actually do something useful, collaborative and interesting in a scientific sense on their next lap of the planet? e.g. Water sampling, plankton surveys, acoustic monitoring for whale populations, air or radiation samples. Seems Volvo could score some nice PR points by requiring all teams to share that sort of burden, and attract a non-sailing audience. Other ideas would be to prohibit onboard liquid fuel and generate all power from hydro, solar or wind, using whatever system is preferred.

Also, what about requiring disclosure of all performance data for each yacht after each leg?

[dipjibe]

Certainly like to hear more about technological advantages Mar Mostro has.

[oioi]

given the current conditions is 24hr distance record doable? is the second half of this leg boat speed or control, minimising downtime?

Given the current fleet positions, can PUMA still win the VOR?

[Maria Silva]

If you win this race will you do it again?

[forss]

How is that thing in keel working which show drift and currents etc.

(http://www.nortek-as...ean-racing-team)

[MR.CLEAN]

How is that thing in keel working which show drift and currents etc.

(http://www.nortek-as...ean-racing-team)

Ask and you shall receive.

[forss]

thanks!

[the loose cannon]

Ken,

The onboard video and crew injury list point to a horrible risk from water coming over the boat. For a monohull to go this fast, does it have to be essentially wave piercing with those risks, or is there a way to make the boats safer / dryer?

In your opinion, would a switch to multihulls be safer for the crew while maintaining the speeds?

[Knee Deep-N-Cider]

1. With the winds increasing and the top 3 boats being so close in the overall will you be trying to stay further North than Telefonica and Groupama? Is throttling back an option at this point?

2. How has the race been with the 3 under 30 crews? Do you see this changing to include more under 30?

[MR.CLEAN]

any last minute questions? we are on in one hour.

[iolite44]

My Question...what is Kenny's favourite bar in newport?

[CLESailor]

Ken,

Did you and your crew ever get that beer from Ian Walker?

[SnakeOnAPlane]

any last minute questions? we are on in one hour.

Tracker shows you just sailed thru to leeward of Gpama. How'd you do it? Also, go get tele!

[MR.CLEAN]

best question gets a VOR backpack

[Maria Silva]

Just want to say that you and your team are not alone out there, there's alot of us with you! Good luck!

[forss]

What is current sail setup and how happy are you with your sail wardrobe? New sails for this leg or all used?

[csmovi]

My Question...what is Kenny's favourite bar in newport?

Asterix and Obelix for espresso martinis (other than the AC of course)

[csmovi]

best question gets a VOR backpack

Best of luck Clean. Good work scoring the interview. (Does this now make you part of the MSM? and will the Ed now have to pay you (more?))

[csmovi]

best question gets a VOR backpack

Clean Make some news and ask Kenny if they know what's up with Groupama. Seems they have just hit the brakes. (Broken sail rig see what you can dig up live)

[atg]

What has been the most challenging aspect of the race to date? Is it what you expected? Similar to the previous campaign, or different?

[mosailn]

best question gets a VOR backpack

Dude he invited you to GYBE..how funny, I hope they get there runway. Nice interview, now go kick arse to Bermuda and win yourself that gallon of rum.

Cheers,
matt

[forss]

nice interview!

what about being MCM in the next volvo?

[vtsail]

Good Fucking job Clean! That was a solid effort with the absolute best character in the whole fleet. REEL EM IN PUMA!

[~HHN92~]

Good Job Clean.

Watching those guys I was ducking when the water hit.

[csmovi]

Clean, well done almost like a professional. Interesting to see what news comes out of Groupama after Kenny thinking they may have a keel issue.

[couchsurfer]

Clean,,best OTW -EVER-!!
..good repore!

[Swanno (Ohf Shore)]

Vote Cleam for SCOTW!

Well done mate!

I loved kenny's reaction to 'did kimo tell you the boat is for sale?"

[couchsurfer]

...better save a copy,
,,Clean'll -never- be able to do as good now that it's gone to his head

...and soooo much of the quality was in the subject

[gybe-ho!]

Any transcript/film of the interview available, can't see it on the VOR site?

[SparxFly]

Good job with the interview, Alan.

Kenny's response on my "boat for sale" question was exactly what I'd been hoping for... Of course he's a pro and knew it'd happen at some point, but I am guessing he didn't know the timing.

Pulling for Puma!! Stay safe and sail fast!!

Sparx

[Ballast Technician]

Good job with the interview, Alan.

Kenny's response on my "boat for sale" question was exactly what I'd been hoping for... Of course he's a pro and knew it'd happen at some point, but I am guessing he didn't know the timing.

Pulling for Puma!! Stay safe and sail fast!!

Sparx

Seriously!? Of course KR knew the boat was listed for sale. His reaction was just playing it up for the audience/camera (and due to the lag, in small part).