Congratulations Vincent.....you're one lucky b*****d!

[StellaGirl]

Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

So PRB has won the Vendee so deserves some congratulations.
Mike has come so close and had such bad luck with his halyard you wonder what the result would be if it hadn't snapped so many times.
I cannot help think though that Vincent has been a luck b*****d. Every gamble or risk he has taken has paid off!
Anyway - the end was a nail biter and the tension was amazing. After sailing around the world to have the first 3 boats so close together is proof what a great race the Vendee is.
Good luck though to those still out there. Especially Conrad with his keel and also thoughts to the two girls!!!!

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

Really feel for Mike. So close, and as you say, lots of bad luck while Vincent appeared to have the gods on his side.

 

[machurley22]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

[ QUOTE ]
So PRB has won the Vendee so deserves some congratulations.


[/ QUOTE ]
Well, nearly anyway.

"23:20:59 (Wednesday, February 02nd)
As the atmosphere builds out here we reckon that we are now 4.6 miles from the line and PRB has speeded up again, still with a big gennaker up. We expect him to finish in about half an hour."

Has anyone ever been sunk by a collision with a spectator boat?

Dave

 

[AlexL]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

[ QUOTE ]
I cannot help think though that Vincent has been a luck b*****d. Every gamble or risk he has taken has paid off!

[/ QUOTE ]

er, well isn't that the object of the Race! Taking risks and making gambles to win a race does not mean you are "Lucky" it means you won the race by taking a gamble which the others didn't or wouldn't take.

You make your own luck in this world.

Congrats to them all anyway.

 

[tcm]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

true. Tho by following all of them every one had bad luck to a degree - vincent less than the others i spose. Special grit award to hellomoto, congrats to the winner, amazing effort from every single contender. Surely the most arduous and exciting endurance boat race ever.

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

Absolutely. Excellent race. First time I've followed one all the way through every day, which says a lot.

 

[StephenSails]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

I agree, but what of this halyard stuff? Mike's halyard issues in the race are not the first time and I seem to remember it was the kite halyard going in one of the first races he did in the latest boat. What surprises me is that he did not seem to have a spare already in place in case of such a problem, so if one goes you just swap over and then fix the dud one. Also for it to happen three times is saying something. But he has done very well to catch up the 800 odd mile deficit and its a shame he hasnt won it this time. I wonder if this is his last Vendee?

 

[westhinder]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

Absolutely magnificent. I've just watched him sail across the finish line live on Frenck TV and it is breathtaking. The drama of three boats so close after sailing 23.000 miles, and it all being decided by one bold move, based on a very good interpretation of the weather, it is just great. If you then see the crowd that turns out to welcome him home in the middle of the night... Ocean racing brought to the public via the internet.
I've got to stop enthusing now and go to bed.

 

[tcm]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

well, he said he'd done it enough times on radio interview bbc r4 this morning, but then again, so did an olympic oarsman so...

 

[Sybarite]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

I agree. The fact that he has won the Solitaire de Figaro 3 times means it wasn't a fluke.

Congratulations are in order.

John

 

[Neraida]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

Definitely a superb race and well deserved victory for Riou even if it feels a bit disappointing as I do think Mike would have won if not for the halyard breaking 3 times and the much loathed mast climbs but Riou's tactics did him proud (he's also twice First Class 8 Champion so we like him anyway /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) Golding has maintained that if he won this Vendee he wouldn't do it again so he might be up for the next one!

 

[kesey]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

What a race!

Congratulations to all who took part, and to their teams. Vincent had his problems too - e.g. his canting keel and his patented exploding ballast tank. He sailed a brilliant race, and had to courage and self-belief to take the decisions that ultimately paid off.

 

[Viking]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....But my money was on....!

the Indonesen in the palm tree, but he retired afew weeks ago

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

Looks like Mike's luck is running true to form

 

[machurley22]

Re: Congratulations Vincent.....you\'re one lucky b*****d!

One unlucky b*****d! He hasn't given up yet though and the competition is still 858 miles behind.

Dave