Bobc
Well-known member
and Charal is catching fast.
AT update - from the Hub
- Thread starter Lightwave395
- Start date
MikeBz
Well-known member
Lost as in he has retracted it as far as possible. The foil is still there but there are worrying cracks in the shaft. It's the port hand side so a bit less important than the starboard one until he's on his way back up the Atlantic, unlike HB who lost (as in snapped off) the starboard one last time.
Bobc
Well-known member
It's starting to look really interesting out there.
MikeBz
Well-known member
... and (at the risk of going off topic) the added spice of Gitana and Sodebo setting off on their Jules Verne attempts yesterday.
BobnLesley
Well-known member
Isn't that what Pete Goss did with the Team Phillips catamaran?
BobnLesley
Well-known member
Recalling how I felt during the 700M offshore passage that I was once obliged to undertake in a yacht that was rather less than perfect, I think it must take serious courage to head on into the Southern Ocean on a patched-up Hugo Boss.
Sandy
Well-known member
Indeed he did and it proved the boat was not up to the job.
It will be interesting to see if Alex has indeed fixed his aircraft. These foiling machines really can't be called boats.
Sandy
Well-known member
I'm with you, I'd be looking to retire gracefully in South Africa. If those bulkheads "go" at 20 knots in a 10 meter sea you won't have much time to get in the liferaft. No matter how many waterproof bulkheads you have a catastrophic failure will peel the hull open.
cherod
N/A
yes ,, half the boat fell off !!
cherod
N/A
a bit late for that ,, more like retiring in ignominous defeat , would be a pretty poor show after all the hype and expense ,, i hope it does not come to that .
Martin_J
Well-known member
The tracker shows a course alteration... The Hub reporting a damaged rudder on Hugo Boss... It's not going to be an easy night. 
Let's hope for a better report in the morning.
The Hub update Friday 1900
Let's hope for a better report in the morning.The Hub update Friday 1900
anoccasionalyachtsman
Well-known member
I think I read that Escoffier is carrying a spare rudder, maybe they all do? (And hopefully there's no other damage).
Tomahawk
Well-known member
Looking at the tracker... some are very close to each other. I wonder if they are in sight ?
Sandy
Well-known member
It's a high risk sport. AT will be well aware of the challenges of the Southern Ocean and now with rudder issues it looks like he is heading for South Africa. If that is the decision, and we will find out more in the next 48 hours, then it is the right call.
I've mentioned Pete Goss in other posts, his decision to turn round and rescue of Raphael Dinelli, was truly heroic.
cherod
N/A
yes ,, but still a bit embarasing
Sandy
Well-known member
Goodness why? A full blown rescue is far more embarrassing. Just think of the MIAB report's conclusion, "Having the knowledge of several VG events the skipper and support team knowing ventured into the Southern Ocean in a racing vessel they knew had been damaged."
cherod
N/A
you are away there on a tangent !! really ?? did anyone suggest that he venture into the southern ocean in a damage condition ,, really ? who / where / when ??
Rappey
Well-known member
Such a shame Alex had to pull out. Let's hope the other 3 ladies make it to the end.
Sandy
Well-known member
I see HB and AT have decided to head for Cape Town.
Alex Thomson ceases racing in the Vendée Globe - The Hub
The right call. I am sure everybody in the team is gutted, but have clearly made the right decision
Cherod, if AT had continue to race where else would he have gone?
CPD
Well-known member
Very sad news for all involved. Gutted won’t even come close I’m sure ....