Route du Rhum 2018

[southerncross]

I don't know but that's the point of proper design, the device should be smart enough to fail safe.  An indicator (or shock) at the time he set the alarm could have avoided this outcome.

Usually there is a battery indicator like on most devices.  My Garmin is the same.  But instead of a shock, a recorded voice of Monica Bellucci whispers "sono pronto".

 

[Your Mom]

Clearly most of the punters here haven't been offshore at night in tricky conditions. Further, Alex mentioned he was dealing with pilot problems and having to hand steer for the last few days as the pilot did a poor job on the course of sail he was on. Couple that with with gusty conditions and he simply couldn't get much sleep until his body collapsed from exhausting. Poor planning on his part? Sure, but what would YOU do in those circumstances?

I feel bad for Alex and it would be good for the IMOCA community to have an Englishman win the race but I also agree with the IJ's decision.

I missed that he was having pilot problems.  That explains a lot.

 

[trisail]

Good evening,

I have new respect for Alex Thomson. He accepts his penalty as " very fair " and takes full responsibility for the incident. He is polite and shows excellent sportsmanship during the TV interviews despite what must have been a devastating blow to himself and his team.

Take note Serena Williams and co and learn from Alex.

 

[forss]

track from official tracker with sat overlay

 

[Christian]

Forget the result today for Alex. If he loses it will be the same as Gabart losing. Sorry but that's my take, rules into play, outcomes as per the judges etc etc. The big picture is the VG next time around. If you get to the finish Island and accidentally run aground 230 miles ahead of your next opponent you win in my book. We all know he didn't gain an advantage by starting his engine, fuck the rules. Judge the race by what we know, not who get's their name inked to some paper. 

Not at all - there is no comparison.  Gabart was beaten boat for boat to the finish - fair and square.

 

[Chasm]

How did Sodebo Ultim managed to dock without engine on his pitstop?

With prior permission from the RC, restarting the race at the same point or in a worse position.
Quite a few rules in the race documents where and how to stop. How often too. (Stops in the start harbor don't count, stop within 150nm radius have other rules.)

There's a maximum deviation from normal course that the autopilot accepts in wind mode, aint it, and setting off alarms when too far off course ?

I would think that by now the big AP systems would have added some rock limits... After all the boat usually knows where it is. Simple stuff. Do not cross this line/circle, fall off in that direction.

Overall...
I think Alex learned his lesson, 24h penalty is ok.
But. With a DSQ others also would learn the lesson real quick. With such a high speed collision it should be more about race safety (in future races, making an example out of Alex) and less about engine use (which of course also needs to be penalized).

 

[southerncross]

track from official tracker with sat overlay

Damn. Just a few more degrees to his right and he might have sailed right past the island.

 

[ProaSailor]

Given the 24 hour penalty for Thomson and this tidbit from the RdR "Logbook":

Paul Meilhat on SMA has 141.3nm to go and is travelling at 16 knots. In order to beat Thomson he must cross the finish line by 08:10:58 local time tomorrow. 

And the fact that Thibaut Vauchel-Camus on Multi50 Solidaires en Peloton ARSEP is now 49.2 nm. DTF (compared to Paul Meilhat's 86.7 nm. DTF) and will likely finish well before tomorrow morning, the official result will be that all three of the top finishers in Multi50 will beat Thomson's IMOCA60 time, and all of the boats in the IMOCA60 class.



source: https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bretagne/route-du-rhum-avarie-bateau-thibaut-vauchel-camus-tete-multi50-1572166.html

 

[Bebmoumoute]

Alex' reaction was really good and classy, but quite a few people won't agree to:

I should have won the Vendee

 

[solosailor]

the official result will be that all three of the top finishers in Multi50 will beat Thomson's IMOCA60 time, and all of the boats in the IMOCA60 class.

Stop comparing Apples to Oranges.    Each are great in their own CLASS.

 

[r.finn]

Just catching up with all the AT drama.  He sailed a smart and beautiful race up to the point of hitting the island.  All I can say in a situation like this is he got lucky and it could have been a much bigger disaster for himself and the boat.  Anyone who's sailed solo knows every long passage that ends safely is actually kind of a miracle.  

 

[Miffy]

Stop comparing Apples to Oranges.    Each are great in their own CLASS.

Just ignore him and move on - every time there's an event there's someone who decides to create some troll account and waste everyone's time and get off on finding something that irritates people and repeatedly do it. For the America's Cup it was Alinghi forever dude. 

 

[solosailor]

Stop trying to tell me what to think and do!  Really, "anarchy" is the guiding principle here, after all.

I guess my post deserves a private massage from the "lets compare rally cars to formula one cars" guy and then tries to tell me "anarchy" is the guiding principle.....   unless of course I say something he doesn't like then it's "stop" it.   

 

[mad]

Given the 24 hour penalty for Thomson and this tidbit from the RdR "Logbook":

And the fact that Thibaut Vauchel-Camus on Multi50 Solidaires en Peloton ARSEP is now 49.2 nm. DTF (compared to Paul Meilhat's 86.7 nm. DTF) and will likely finish well before tomorrow morning, the official result will be that all three of the top finishers in Multi50 will beat Thomson's IMOCA60 time, and all of the boats in the IMOCA60 class.

View attachment 289559

source: https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bretagne/route-du-rhum-avarie-bateau-thibaut-vauchel-camus-tete-multi50-1572166.html

What next in your list of ridiculous comparisons? 

 

[ProaSailor]

Stop comparing Apples to Oranges.    Each are great in their own CLASS.

What in the hell makes anyone here think they can command others about how to think and what to say?  Not only is this forum called "anarchy", but that was also the founding principle of the Route du Rhum:

This history of the Route du Rhum is fascinating: https://www.routedurhum.com/en/page/history

Some selected highlights:

1978 - As its creator, Michel Etévenon, intended, the first Route du Rhum was the transat of freedom: monohulls and multihulls were mixed without class divisions and without size restrictions. Professionals and amateurs competed under the same rules and all outside aids to navigation were allowed on an open course.

Petty tyrants have no place here so all of you can just fuck off and mind your own damn business.

@Miffy, you are an idiot.

 

[semelis]

Meilhat is already in the 4' update circle and Yann Elies about to enter it.

Route du Rhum live is on:

 

[solosailor]

"command"??   "petty tyrants"??     You claim anarchy but can't handle the SLIGHTEST push back.    Pretty weak.    I command thee to eat shit.

 

[popo]

Nerve wreking finish for Paul, everything to win for Elies.

I don't think daggerboards vs foils will be what makes the win, only not falling for too long in a wind hole.

 

[southerncross]

Interview with Thomo:  19knts on the rocks.  "Not much damage."  

Wow.  Took it all on the nose?  Missed the keel and boards?  Lucky is right.  

 

[Rainbow Spirit]

I've participated in long distance cycling events where I've had very little sleep, and I can tell you it's a bitch. You end up feeling like your drunk, and trying to make coherent decisions is almost impossible, to all those saying that Alex should have done this and should have done that, you just don't know what it is like to be in that situation. To me he is the winner of this race, despite what the official result is.

Perhaps the organisers of this type of torture need to think long and hard about how they finish these races, and make the finishes as easy as possible to navigate.