234 replies to this topic

[Panoramix]

Ken Read hitched a ride onboard the trimaran Sodebo with one of his competitors: Thomas Coville
http://www.sodebo-vo...ias/photos.html
I don't know if he appreciated the ride, but the weather sure looked very cold! Summer in Brittany...

while Ken Read was on Sodebo, Chris Nicholson took a ride on Groupama 3 with Franck Cammas!
http://etnzblog.com/...ico-sees-triple

French sailors are trying to disseminate the multihull virus overseas, it seems...

I think that they have always wondered why others don't come to play with them.

[STYACHT]

...

I would expect carbon fiber to be very strong, but not so resilient. Is that right?

That's my understanding. It does not like impact loading at all. A quick change in loading (like a wipe out, etc) and carbon can give it up, especially considering the cycles it has gone through during the duration of this event.

Carbon can be stong, and it can be stiff, and it can be resilient. Maybe not the most resilient of materials, but if you have ever inverted a well made carbon mast and seen how much more abuse it can take than a "performance" alloy mast, you might think twice about where you draw those lines. Take a look at the cracked port rudder of Tele, as another example. Resilient enough to sail at reduced speed to the dock. Usually carbon fibre constructions do not have fatigue failure, though they do suffer more often from progressive failures. Usually, they just snap, explode, disintegrate; no "warning" as has often been said. The attributes of the component, stiffness, strength, resilience, depend on all of the decisions made in design: method, fibre selection, fibre orientation, etc. etc. That is what yields almost zero comparison to metals.

In truth, I doubt that any VO70 rudder is designed for stall at full predicted speed. Stall at 40 knots? Ah, ... no. For a very high speed relative to all other yachts, yes. Already exceedingly unlikely rudder angles for 40 knots, yes again. Moreover, stall is not in fact the maximum load possible. Impact with the free surface will instantaneously create far more load than the stall scenario described. This fact is well known on all multi rudder yachts, to the point that caveats exist in design and scantling rules for the case. It has also to do with the fact that the loading is not over the whole blade, but just the extreme tip, creating a bigger bending moment at the rudder bearings.

As WYD has said many times, no matter what, it can be broke. When the loading exceeds the load capacity, they break, almost always completely, call that "giving it up" if you wish.

I agree with what you are saying but was using resilience in the mechanical sense of the term; Resilience (ie the ability to absorb mechanical energy which is relevant to crashing into something)

Sure that CF being a composite material you can tear apart some of the fibres and still have some strength left which is probably what Tele have done to their rudder.

If you hit something with a rudder, mechanical resilience matters. For a broach though, I doubt that the load is sudden enough to bring resilience into consideration and I would tend to think that it is a simple matter of speed being low enough so that stresses don't exceed MOR. I did like Desjoyeau solution of having rudders that lift up on impact, it designs out of the equation a lot of possibly nasty situations.

Thinking about CF resilience in an empirical way, it must be resilient as CF forks for bikes can resist a fair bit of abuse, mine certainly have hit a few potholes at high speed with no sign of delamination (the joy of riding on English lanes). I have heard stories of people breaking them but that was crash related (typically riding into the back of a van or a car!).

Impact with an e.g. container can, and probably should, break a rudder off. If anything, a bike fork (seen them break because the car driver forgets he put the bike on the roof) should survive more impact with solids than a rudder stock. But of course neither does, because of the weight it costs. Tele should have hit 3 UFO's in 24 hours, while the fleet was otherwise home free? I highly doubt that.

As a complete aside, why have VOR dropped the YouTube compilations of the last legs? Cost cutting I reckon. I really need a proper 40 minute well edited video again.

[couchsurfer]

.........As a complete aside, why have VOR dropped the YouTube compilations of the last legs? Cost cutting I reckon. I really need a proper 40 minute well edited video again.

with the next in-port on the 30th ,,,I'm jonesing too!
...must be frustrating to the teams as well to have soooo long before the short leg to the finish,,especially when they can't pull their boats
...though I guess maybe some families enjoy the lifestyle,,and Lorient isn't a bad place to hang-out


...for me it is not so much suspense as flogging a dead horse

[Terrorvision]

As a complete aside, why have VOR dropped the YouTube compilations of the last legs? Cost cutting I reckon. I really need a proper 40 minute well edited video again.

I was surfing through the channels today just in time to see the start of the VOR round up of the last leg. Some great onboard and aerial footage in HD with great interviews from the skips. So the video is out there, just don't know why it's not on YouTube.

[29erNeil]

Leg 7 documentary but no sign of leg 8 yet

[Panoramix]

Tele should have hit 3 UFO's in 24 hours, while the fleet was otherwise home free? I highly doubt that.

Indeed, may be the engineer undercooked it or may be there is a weird load case happening when they broach, it was the first time that they were trying to go as downwind as possible in heavy weather. Flutter can destroy a plane, could an unaccounted for dynamic load case be the cause (say the rudder stalls and unstalls rapidly for instance)?

[STYACHT]

Tele should have hit 3 UFO's in 24 hours, while the fleet was otherwise home free? I highly doubt that.

Indeed, may be the engineer undercooked it or may be there is a weird load case happening when they broach, it was the first time that they were trying to go as downwind as possible in heavy weather. Flutter can destroy a plane, could an unaccounted for dynamic load case be the cause (say the rudder stalls and unstalls rapidly for instance)?

Remember, three boats with the shapes all from Juan k, the laminates from ab structures. No, I think that if flutter were a problem, it would have cropped up earlier and in varied boats.

The skipper knows and had said they pushed at max, he was apologetic. If they don't push they lose in this leg. They did, they broke, they lose anyway.

Pushing means free falling off waves at speeds that break things. Bow's fixed, time for the rudders.

[STYACHT]

Leg 7 documentary but no sign of leg 8 yet

Thanks, had not found that one!

[29erNeil]

It depends where you click, you can't find it when clicking "volvooceanracevideos" and going onto leg 7, but it can be found by clicking "Volvo Ocean Race" then "Season 11-12 episodes"

[Rennmaus]

Doug, try this for the leg documentaries: http://www.youtube.c...ery=documentary. Leg 8 is missing.

[Who's your daddy]

Tele should have hit 3 UFO's in 24 hours, while the fleet was otherwise home free? I highly doubt that.

Indeed, may be the engineer undercooked it or may be there is a weird load case happening when they broach, it was the first time that they were trying to go as downwind as possible in heavy weather. Flutter can destroy a plane, could an unaccounted for dynamic load case be the cause (say the rudder stalls and unstalls rapidly for instance)?

Remember, three boats with the shapes all from Juan k, the laminates from ab structures. No, I think that if flutter were a problem, it would have cropped up earlier and in varied boats.

The skipper knows and had said they pushed at max, he was apologetic. If they don't push they lose in this leg. They did, they broke, they lose anyway.

Pushing means free falling off waves at speeds that break things. Bow's fixed, time for the rudders.

Normally when you find the limit you back off a little the next time. Seems they may not have done.

[couchsurfer]

Tele should have hit 3 UFO's in 24 hours, while the fleet was otherwise home free? I highly doubt that.

Indeed, may be the engineer undercooked it or may be there is a weird load case happening when they broach, it was the first time that they were trying to go as downwind as possible in heavy weather. Flutter can destroy a plane, could an unaccounted for dynamic load case be the cause (say the rudder stalls and unstalls rapidly for instance)?

Remember, three boats with the shapes all from Juan k, the laminates from ab structures. No, I think that if flutter were a problem, it would have cropped up earlier and in varied boats.

The skipper knows and had said they pushed at max, he was apologetic. If they don't push they lose in this leg. They did, they broke, they lose anyway.

Pushing means free falling off waves at speeds that break things. Bow's fixed, time for the rudders.

Normally when you find the limit you back off a little the next time. Seems they may not have done.

..musta'been quite the ride! ......... .................

[crashdog]

yeah I kind of think that the problem was with the angled out rudders. I would have hoped the engineering took account of this but it looks like it might not have. They broke the third rudder when it was the windward rudder, although Iker says that they had reduced sail area in order to inspect the port rudder, so the roll angle of the boat may have been pretty flat at the time, with the rudders bearing maximum lateral load due to the angled out design.

[gybe-ho!]

Doug, try this for the leg documentaries: http://www.youtube.c...ery=documentary. Leg 8 is missing.

Leg 8 now up.

[Roleur]

Tele should have hit 3 UFO's in 24 hours, while the fleet was otherwise home free? I highly doubt that.

Indeed, may be the engineer undercooked it or may be there is a weird load case happening when they broach, it was the first time that they were trying to go as downwind as possible in heavy weather. Flutter can destroy a plane, could an unaccounted for dynamic load case be the cause (say the rudder stalls and unstalls rapidly for instance)?

Remember, three boats with the shapes all from Juan k, the laminates from ab structures. No, I think that if flutter were a problem, it would have cropped up earlier and in varied boats.

The skipper knows and had said they pushed at max, he was apologetic. If they don't push they lose in this leg. They did, they broke, they lose anyway.

Pushing means free falling off waves at speeds that break things. Bow's fixed, time for the rudders.

Normally when you find the limit you back off a little the next time. Seems they may not have done.

I thought the "next time" was when they had to gybe. Unfortunately, even being conservative the gybe was still going to be hairy. Problems during that gybe it seems were a lot less avoidable than earlier in the leg.

[ctutmark]

Doug, try this for the leg documentaries: http://www.youtube.c...ery=documentary. Leg 8 is missing.

Leg 8 now up.

[Ripper]

"I finally turned the boat in the gybe....it was blowing 43.7....and that was a lull."

[Lexpat]

Doug, try this for the leg documentaries: http://www.youtube.c...ery=documentary. Leg 8 is missing.

Leg 8 now up.

Thanks, great video , too bad they don't broadcast during the legs . Groupama was even greeted by "la Patrouille de France" (like the Blue Angels in the US)

[STYACHT]

"I finally turned the boat in the gybe....it was blowing 43.7....and that was a lull."

Humbling video, that. Oh my.

[~HHN92~]

Boy, that one is something to be proud of. Even Tele losing two rudders. Many times that would mean a rescue.

It looks like fun from here, but I imagine it can be just miserable at times. But then, you look back, and realize "you know, it wasn't that bad....." Been sime long slogs home on deliveries double handed, and you think it will never end, but you get there and realize it was not really that bad. Just not a pleasure sail.

Cool vid.

[Bmajor]

Doug, try this for the leg documentaries: http://www.youtube.c...ery=documentary. Leg 8 is missing.

Leg 8 now up.

http://youtu.be/QTjr2kigmUc

Thanks, great video , too bad they don't broadcast during the legs . Groupama was even greeted by "la Patrouille de France" (like the Blue Angels in the US)

Best documentary video of the race! Super that the boats were welcomed to Lorient by la Patrouille de France! Very impressive......Imagine the Blue Angels doing that in Miami! Maybe a Pensacola stop over is in the future??? I would be there!

[umpire]

And Moose finally wins something !!

http://youtu.be/hLnXZxKdU9E

[Tunnel Rat]

Is there any definite information out there about how Telephonica sorted out their rudder situation?

The last detailed story on repairs from VOR site that I can find is HERE, but that somehow ignores the Tele problems completely.

Also the story HERE casually mentions:

Team Sanya and Team Telefónica´s shore crews are yet to tick off all of their job lists but both plan practice sessions over the next few days.

A few more details would be good, please.

EDIT - the scoreboard indicates that a 2 point penalty has NOT been imposed, so I am assuming that Tele has not been lifted out.

[corkob]

Sailing instructions for leg 9 finally published. After round the cans in Lorient, Ile de Groix to starboard, Belle Ile to Starboard, Fastnet Rock to Port, Inishmore Light to Starboard and Finish in Galway

[corkob]

Roughly 400 miles from Lorient to Fastnet. Conditions looking like light westerlies at present. No blast reaching by the looks if it.

[corkob]

Looking like a Fastnet rounding sometime on Tuesday morning??? Any routers out there with a predicted ETA Fastnet?

[ColinG]

Is there any definite information out there about how Telephonica sorted out their rudder situation?

The last detailed story on repairs from VOR site that I can find is HERE, but that somehow ignores the Tele problems completely.

Also the story HERE casually mentions:

Team Sanya and Team Telefónica´s shore crews are yet to tick off all of their job lists but both plan practice sessions over the next few days.

A few more details would be good, please.

EDIT - the scoreboard indicates that a 2 point penalty has NOT been imposed, so I am assuming that Tele has not been lifted out.

After seeing the vid of them replacing rudders at sea in heavy weather, why would they need to lift out to put another one in at the dock? Prob only took about 10 mins

[umpire]

New edition of Ocean Racing is out.


http://www.ocean-rac...3/index.php3?id=

[Swanno (Ohf Shore)]

Is there any definite information out there about how Telephonica sorted out their rudder situation?

The last detailed story on repairs from VOR site that I can find is HERE, but that somehow ignores the Tele problems completely.

Also the story HERE casually mentions:

Team Sanya and Team Telefónica´s shore crews are yet to tick off all of their job lists but both plan practice sessions over the next few days.

A few more details would be good, please.

EDIT - the scoreboard indicates that a 2 point penalty has NOT been imposed, so I am assuming that Tele has not been lifted out.

After seeing the vid of them replacing rudders at sea in heavy weather, why would they need to lift out to put another one in at the dock? Prob only took about 10 mins

Yeah it took 40 minutes for a group of angry men to do it offshore so they should at least make it hard onshore and kick them all in the nuts, then blindfold them and see if the shore crew can break the record

[harzak]

Groupama needs 20 points in the next 3 races to be ensured of winning overall (without tie-break). So if Puma wins the 3 last, these are the scenarios that will still win overall for Groupama:

• 3rd place er better Leg 9
• 4th place Leg 9 and minimum 5 points in 2 in-ports combined
• 5th place Leg 9 and minimum 10 points in 2 in-ports combined

Vis-à-vis Camper and Telefonica, Groupama needs 15 points. So assuming that one of them wins the 3 last, GPMA needs:

• 4th place er better Leg 9
• 5th place Leg 9 and minimum 5 points in 2 in-ports combined
• 6th place Leg 9 and minimum 10 points in 2 in-ports combined

[Moonduster]

The analysis about how badly Groupama needs to screw up to not win isn't really that interesting. What is interesting is what strategies Puma, Camper and Telefonica should use to ensure a 2nd place and 3rd place finish, respectively, given that only 5 points separate all three boats.

Keeping on top of who to defend against, when and why is going to be the key. It's an area where I'd have to give the nod to both Iker Martinez and Chris Nicholson based on their long-term dinghy regatta experience, although Ken Read is no slouch either.



Curious to see if there will be any tactician substitutions in the crews for the in-port races. Certainly every single point matters between those three.

In the end, my guess is that it will all come down to dominant point-of-sail during the offshore to Galway.

[onimod]

The analysis about how badly Groupama needs to screw up to not win isn't really that interesting. What is interesting is what strategies Puma, Camper and Telefonica should use to ensure a 2nd place and 3rd place finish, respectively, given that only 5 points separate all three boats.

Keeping on top of who to defend against, when and why is going to be the key. It's an area where I'd have to give the nod to both Iker Martinez and Chris Nicholson based on their long-term dinghy regatta experience, although Ken Read is no slouch either.

Curious to see if there will be any tactician substitutions in the crews for the in-port races. Certainly every single point matters between those three.

In the end, my guess is that it will all come down to dominant point-of-sail during the offshore to Galway.

Recent experience suggests that when inshore Iker's dingy experience isn't relevant, Nico's boat is too slow (even G4 beat them upwind in Lisbon) and Puma are hungry.
Offshore there is no doubt Tele is as quick as anyone or even the quickest.
I think it's probably Puma vs Tele for 2nd.
I expect G4 to play safe inshore at Lorient for the start and rely on manoeuvres and speed to get them in the top 3.
G4 seem to have a problem 'switching on' for ocean starts. If they figure that out they could finish in style.

[Tunnel Rat]

Looking like a Fastnet rounding sometime on Tuesday morning??? Any routers out there with a predicted ETA Fastnet?

Windguru's forecast for FASTNET indicates some reasonable wind from the south through Monday building into Tuesday. They may be there fairly quickly.

[weebear]

If the boats have to keep the fastest to port how close are they likely to keep to the coast on their way west before the turn north? Any suggestions on the best part of the Kerry coastline to catch a glimpse of them passing?

[freakIRL]

Any suggestions on the best part of the Kerry coastline to catch a glimpse of them passing?

Climb Mount Brandon, but be careful of the land slip area.

Mizen Head light house a possibility, though if the tide is flooding they'll be a few miles offshore.

Inishtearacht Light is another possibility, though you'll need a boat.

Not Kerry, but Baltimore Sea Safari might run a boat out to the Fastnet.

[Lexpat]

The analysis about how badly Groupama needs to screw up to not win isn't really that interesting.

For Groupama' fans it is .

[umpire]

The analysis about how badly Groupama needs to screw up to not win isn't really that interesting.

For Groupama' fans it is .

Totally agree

[~HHN92~]

The analysis about how badly Groupama needs to screw up to not win isn't really that interesting. What is interesting is what strategies Puma, Camper and Telefonica should use to ensure a 2nd place and 3rd place finish, respectively, given that only 5 points separate all three boats.

Keeping on top of who to defend against, when and why is going to be the key. It's an area where I'd have to give the nod to both Iker Martinez and Chris Nicholson based on their long-term dinghy regatta experience, although Ken Read is no slouch either.



Curious to see if there will be any tactician substitutions in the crews for the in-port races. Certainly every single point matters between those three.

In the end, my guess is that it will all come down to dominant point-of-sail during the offshore to Galway.

I think KR has schooled them once or twice during this edition, IIRC.

[freakIRL]

The Course includes:

Belle Isle to starboard
Fastnet Rock to port
Eeragh Light house (Aran islands north) to starboard
Finish at Galway

It occurs to me that if:

Wind is SW to NE
and
Tide is ebbing
and
It's daylight

Foxall will guide Groupama through the Blasket Sound, because Inishtearaght Light is not a mark of the course.

'Twould be astonishingly spectacular.

[harzak]

The analysis about how badly Groupama needs to screw up to not win isn't really that interesting.

For Groupama' fans it is .

Totally agree

Yes.

Anyway, the strategy of the 3 chasing teams is interesting in both perspectives. The first in-port will give a good clue. Will they cooperate to try and screw Groupama, and then settle between them for the winner? Or will they keep a closer eye on their closest competition.

Groupama will probably be a bit cautious in the start of the in-port (so that the others can't cooperate to make them foul). This may make allow the other three the opportunity to cooperate to close them out.

However, GPMA is quite far ahead. What would you do (in an ideal world and in this world)?

[onimod]

^ If it's windy like today for the in-port tomorrow then it won't matter what the other 3 do.
These boats separate so quickly and boat speed rules.

[onimod]

Pro Am race 3: crazy speed from G4.
I don't think the start tomorrow will matter much at all really.
The differences were obvious over a 20 minute race; they could get pretty strung out over an hour.

[STYACHT]

I have been distracted a bit. What has Tele done about rudders?

And what is this at the Daily Sail? "On daggerboard and rudder breakages and the Spanish VO70's secret interceptor" For those who do not know an interceptor is a trim tab that works on the principle of drag, not lift. You will find it on the Audi TT and plenty of powerboats.

[onimod]

I have been distracted a bit. What has Tele done about rudders?

And what is this at the Daily Sail? "On daggerboard and rudder breakages and the Spanish VO70's secret interceptor" For those who do not know an interceptor is a trim tab that works on the principle of drag, not lift. You will find it on the Audi TT and plenty of powerboats.

I think the technical information tap from Tele has now been turned almost completely clockwise.
It's been winding down since Auckland. The level of discontent with just about anything has also been growing.
Iker was not at the helm for the Pro Am either.
I'm a bit mystified by the 'interceptor' too - anyone with a subscription prepared to spill the beans?

[Alysum]

WOW that was a fantastic inshore race to watch, Go Groupama!!!

[GnarlyItWas]

I read it, the interceptor is a lip on the back of the transom. Some IMOCAS tried these but had ones that moved. Tele's is fixed. Before the start they were removing it from pictures with photoshop.

[umpire]

WOW that was a fantastic inshore race to watch, Go Groupama!!!

I agree with you great race and fantastic coverage. What about the size of the spectator fleet?

[onimod]

I read it, the interceptor is a lip on the back of the transom. Some IMOCAS tried these but had ones that moved. Tele's is fixed. Before the start they were removing it from pictures with photoshop.

What is it supposed to be achieving?

[onimod]

WOW that was a fantastic inshore race to watch, Go Groupama!!!

Agreed - that was actually a really good course that evened out the first 3.
If Puma hadn't put such a heavy smackdown on G4 during the first downwind then I think both Puma and G4 would have eventually passed Camper but it slowed them both down and gave Camper enough of a break to hold the lead for not quite long enough.
1 mistake each for Puma and Camper and they handed the win to G4.
Tele look like they've had enough and no-one looked very rosy on ADOR either.

[yl75]

Yes great race and nice weather !

[Alysum]

I just noticed that the G4 navigator Jean Luc Nelias has been replaced by Laurent Pages, what's the reasoning behind this??

[STYACHT]

I just noticed that the G4 navigator Jean Luc Nelias has been replaced by Laurent Pages, what's the reasoning behind this??

See VOR site. They will not need a navigator to tell them where to go. That can be done before start. They want designated hitter instead, er... another trimmer. How cool would the decision be that they would not need to change headsails, leave the bowmen home?

[STYACHT]

I read it, the interceptor is a lip on the back of the transom. Some IMOCAS tried these but had ones that moved. Tele's is fixed. Before the start they were removing it from pictures with photoshop.

What is it supposed to be achieving?

The moving interceptor is based on the principal that you can control trim. You build in a bit more rocker in the shape, so it more easily lifts the bow in heavy downwind stuff. But, that leaves you potentially with a sailing trim in other conditions that is stern down and slower. So you induce a moment to level the boat, at the cost of a small amount of drag (induced if using trim tabs/foils, direct drag with an interceptor) This drag is worth it because the overall drag of the boat is less, wake far cleaner visibly.

If you search for E-cover on this topic you will find video comparisons of with and without.

I cannot see the way a fixed interceptor would work at first glance. I guess you may be able to trim it out of the water with stacking forward in the really light. And set it up so that is ineffective at producing a moment when heel is on. I had thought it might not fit in the no hollows rule. In VOR v3 this states clearly transverse plane only. So they must have created a kind of edge aft, probably on CL, that can be pulled from the water with heel, therefore allowing the hull to pop the bow up a bit better.

[haligonian winterr]

Pictures? I can't seem to find any that show the interceptors well/at all.

HW

I read it, the interceptor is a lip on the back of the transom. Some IMOCAS tried these but had ones that moved. Tele's is fixed. Before the start they were removing it from pictures with photoshop.

What is it supposed to be achieving?

The moving interceptor is based on the principal that you can control trim. You build in a bit more rocker in the shape, so it more easily lifts the bow in heavy downwind stuff. But, that leaves you potentially with a sailing trim in other conditions that is stern down and slower. So you induce a moment to level the boat, at the cost of a small amount of drag (induced if using trim tabs/foils, direct drag with an interceptor) This drag is worth it because the overall drag of the boat is less, wake far cleaner visibly.

If you search for E-cover on this topic you will find video comparisons of with and without.

I cannot see the way a fixed interceptor would work at first glance. I guess you may be able to trim it out of the water with stacking forward in the really light. And set it up so that is ineffective at producing a moment when heel is on. I had thought it might not fit in the no hollows rule. In VOR v3 this states clearly transverse plane only. So they must have created a kind of edge aft, probably on CL, that can be pulled from the water with heel, therefore allowing the hull to pop the bow up a bit better.

[onimod]

pictures here:
interceptors:
http://forums.sailin...ic=126204&st=25
full on trim tab:
http://forums.sailin...opic=48072&st=0

[umpire]

I just noticed that the G4 navigator Jean Luc Nelias has been replaced by Laurent Pages, what's the reasoning behind this??

See VOR site. They will not need a navigator to tell them where to go. That can be done before start. They want designated hitter instead, er... another trimmer. How cool would the decision be that they would not need to change headsails, leave the bowmen home?

Also think that there are enough people on board who could navigate this leg. Cammas or Colville for example.But they did say on the Livestream coverage of the in-port that Charles Caudrelier would be doing it.

[moody frog]

I just noticed that the G4 navigator Jean Luc Nelias has been replaced by Laurent Pages, what's the reasoning behind this??

See VOR site. They will not need a navigator to tell them where to go. That can be done before start. They want designated hitter instead, er... another trimmer. How cool would the decision be that they would not need to change headsails, leave the bowmen home?

Also think that there are enough people on board who could navigate this leg. Cammas or Colville for example.But they did say on the Livestream coverage of the in-port that Charles Caudrelier would be doing it.

Yes both Caudrelier and Cammas are excellent navigators in their own right.
Nelias,as a professional onshore routing expert and weather analyst for 10 years, was adding much in the long legs, having moved from a shore office to an onboard one.
The shortness of that leg allows a rather precise knowledge and analysis of the weather synopsis ahead of the start: having done some office work with Nelias prior to the start, the navigator's role is "simpler", while the addition of a "performer" may prove crucial.
Caudrelier has between races been playing with shore-routing with Bidegorry and... as Nelias' assistant in Cammas' "Route du Rhum" win, so quite a clear choice.

[Icedtea]

Foxall is from Kerry on the south west coast, I wouldn't be surprised if they let him navigate once they hit the Irish coast

[Potter]

It all shows nicely Francks attitude towards winning. Take a crew member off who has done nearly the entire race in order to look for a small performance gain...

[Ballast Technician]

It all shows nicely Francks attitude towards winning. Take a crew member off who has done nearly the entire race in order to look for a small performance gain...

Sure appears to be working. Bet some of the other skippers wish they had adopted a similar attitude...

[Lostmydetailsagain]

It all shows nicely Francks attitude towards winning. Take a crew member off who has done nearly the entire race in order to look for a small performance gain...

Sure appears to be working. Bet some of the other skippers wish they had adopted a similar attitude...

Another point of focus is that Cammas has asked the organisers if a crew member of part of the race but not on the boat for this final leg can participate in the final in-port race as the crew has to either have done the previous or the upcoming leg.


See http://noticeboard.volvooceanrace.com & http://noticeboard.v...lway-160612.pdf

Clearly Cammas and the team are looking forward to the final in-port as well as this final sprint leg.

[onimod]

Laurent Pages is also the "sail program manager".
Sail selection and timing of the sail selection could be vital on this leg.
I can definitely remember Puma and Camper doing sail repairs during legs, I think ADOR has had to do one as well but I can't remember a sail breakage on G4 or Tele - anyone else?

[STYACHT]

Puma is just being totally overhauled. Even by Clifford in a close reach situation. Telefonica is stretching out. Groupama also showing pace, which is not a surprise. But what is it with the cat that they seem low and slow.

[onimod]

^ Puma might be stacked below for the run north rather then the short sprint south?

[yl75]

Too bad no more video for the rounding of belle ile, but really great conditions and coverage for this start !

[STYACHT]

I have been distracted a bit. What has Tele done about rudders?

And what is this at the Daily Sail? "On daggerboard and rudder breakages and the Spanish VO70's secret interceptor" For those who do not know an interceptor is a trim tab that works on the principle of drag, not lift. You will find it on the Audi TT and plenty of powerboats.

I think the technical information tap from Tele has now been turned almost completely clockwise.
It's been winding down since Auckland. The level of discontent with just about anything has also been growing.
Iker was not at the helm for the Pro Am either.
I'm a bit mystified by the 'interceptor' too - anyone with a subscription prepared to spill the beans?

So, it seems that Tele did in fact make new blades from the original moulds. Put the stocks from the alternate rudders (different shape) in the blades, and fit them in the water. Too easy. Zero lost points.

[Potter]

Too bad no more video for the rounding of belle ile, but really great conditions and coverage for this start !

Still Live at the moment!

http://new.livestream.com/volvooceanrace/Leg9start

[couchsurfer]

great coverage,,,chopper coverage for quite a while,,,some decent tacking/positions -tight!

...keep these positions and it'll be an -exciting- in-port

[schakel]

great coverage,,,chopper coverage for quite a while,,,some decent tacking/positions -tight!

...keep these positions and it'll be an -exciting- in-port

@ couchsurfer You'd better change VULVO anarchy team in VulvA anarchy team in your signature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulva .... Just kidding.

With Gammas in fourth place now he still earns enough to win the race.
But what does he do? A bucket behind the boat? He's 1 knot slower than Iker, Chris, and Ken.

Not good.

[umpire]

great coverage,,,chopper coverage for quite a while,,,some decent tacking/positions -tight!

...keep these positions and it'll be an -exciting- in-port

@ couchsurfer You'd better change VULVO anarchy team in VulvA anarchy team in your signature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulva .... Just kidding.

With Gammas in fourth place now he still earns enough to win the race.
But what does he do? A bucket behind the boat? He's 1 knot slower than Iker, Chris, and Ken.

Not good.

No worries G4 slowly marching it's way to the front.

[Tracker Foo]

G4 is always slow at start because he is loaded with a lot of fuel.

Just wait it starts the engines and he will be in front.

[harzak]

With Gammas in fourth place now he still earns enough to win the race.
But what does he do? A bucket behind the boat? He's 1 knot slower than Iker, Chris, and Ken.

Not good.

Perhaps they caught the lobster trap that abu dhabi dodged (about 48 mins into the youtube start replay).

[couchsurfer]

...yeh,,seems groupon's been inching forward,,,thankfully things have settled for a while,,
.....no nails left,,,an' I've run-out'a 'depends'

...actually I guess it's the squid has been dropping a bit,,,~.2miles over the last hour
..I kinda wish the tracking wasn't so live......can't.....get....away....

[forss]

https://new.livestre...nrace/Leg9start

LIVE VIDEO AGAIN!

[couchsurfer]

...live chopper footage just came back!!!! ,,,,nice!

...just caught Groupon passing the squid
...groper's gonna be a spoiler to an otherwise VERY close in-port

[Terrorvision]

Interesting finish for Sanya according to the predictor at the moment.

[forss]

https://new.livestre...ooceanrace/Leg9

live video interviews

[popo]

just happened to be in front of the computer for a live sail change onboard Groupama.
Amazing how great the coverage of this event is !:

and how hard it seems to be for the bowmen, and it was "only" in 20knts of breeze.
Can't even imagine what it had been in the previous leg !

[desi1]

Poor Puma zigzaging alone like a drunk irish...they're losing everything...I feel for Ken Read

[dolphinmaster]

Did Camper just break something? They are down to 14 knots,

guess not, back up to 22. That was a funny wiggle.

[yl75]

Hey tele is going to hit the mark, disqualified !

[couchsurfer]

Poor Puma zigzaging alone like a drunk irish...they're losing everything...I feel for Ken Read

..was wondering why team Squid seemed to be lagging,,
,,,but really it's a side-effect of having 16,000x magnification on the live-tracker!!! ....Pooma's just 1.3 miles back after 180 miles,,
,,and has developed almost 2 miles separation--hope that comes in handy later


...4 boats/1.3miles after ~180 is -close- racing

[DtM]

The tracker seems to suggest that Tele went inside the exclusion zone.

Surely not.

[dolphinmaster]

The tracker seems to suggest that Tele went inside the exclusion zone.

Surely not.

What the heck is in the Exclusion zone?

[Mr. Fixit's brother,, Mr. Fixit]

The tracker seems to suggest that Tele went inside the exclusion zone.

Surely not.

What the heck is in the Exclusion zone?

Ushant vessel traffic management zone. One of the busiest pieces of ocean in the world.

[dolphinmaster]

The tracker seems to suggest that Tele went inside the exclusion zone.

Surely not.

What the heck is in the Exclusion zone?

Ushant vessel traffic management zone. One of the busiest pieces of ocean in the world.

billions of tons of maritime steel going by at 20+ knots, at night, got it Thanks

[dolphinmaster]

Pew-ma seems to have found a new gear and caught back up, sail choice?

[~HHN92~]

Pew-ma seems to have found a new gear and caught back up, sail choice?

Not sure what, but I was really starting to worry that they moded in the wrong direction trim wise and were totally off the pace.

[yl75]

G4 is loosing ground, more or less

[Left Hook]

Sure as hell does look like Tele cut that corner.

[Terrorvision]

The tracker seems to suggest that Tele went inside the exclusion zone.

Surely not.

There's definitely something wrong with the tracker- at the moment it seems be showing that Camper is leading!

[Indio]

The tracker seems to suggest that Tele went inside the exclusion zone.

Surely not.

There's definitely something wrong with the tracker- at the moment it seems be showing that Camper is leading!

[DtM]

The tracker seems to suggest that Tele went inside the exclusion zone.

Surely not.

There's definitely something wrong with the tracker- at the moment it seems be showing that Camper is leading!

Too funny.

[Indio]

Nico must have dumped everything including toilet paper to lighten Camper. Sure showing some consistent speed for a change...(consistent, that is!)

[couchsurfer]

...hmm,,Squid's moved into 2nd now,,,groupon seems t'have dropped the edge they had earlier...
....keep the 3 tight,,,give us your best show in that in-port!!!!

[couchsurfer]

.......too close t'call...first 3 boats within ~1/2 mile after ~320 miles

.......groupama's back ~3 miles, nicely off t'one side........

...80 miles to fastnet,,things should -open-up- after that

[onimod]

It looks like G4 is sailing with a conservative sail set; they were the only team with a reef in during the first live cross interviews.
Unsurprising really but it's odd to see them not pushing.

[Indio]

It looks like G4 is sailing with a conservative sail set; they were the only team with a reef in during the first live cross interviews.
Unsurprising really but it's odd to see them not pushing.

They only have to finish to take the whole thing out, don't they? Understandable their not "pushing" things...

[eric e]

The tracker seems to suggest that Tele went inside the exclusion zone.

Surely not.

There's definitely something wrong with the tracker- at the moment it seems be showing that Camper is leading!

don't worry

seems to be sorted now

tracker often acts up like that in the early stages of each leg

[harzak]

It looks like G4 is sailing with a conservative sail set; they were the only team with a reef in during the first live cross interviews.
Unsurprising really but it's odd to see them not pushing.

They only have to finish to take the whole thing out, don't they? Understandable their not "pushing" things...

If Puma wins this leg, Groupama needs 4th to be assured a win before the last in-port. Otherwise, 5th will do.