Route du Rhum 2018

[Roberto]

Nov 4th, start of the 2018 Route du Rhum; over 130 boats, 6 Ultim maxi, Imoca new and old, Class40.
Possibly the start in streaming:
https://www.routedurhum.com/en

There have been talks about moving the departure date (model runs varying widely, some quite worrying), but it will remain nov 4th.

 

[dunedin]

Yes will be an exciting race. Some amazing boats taking part. And often a brutally challenging first part of the route.

 

[Roberto]

Again, in view of the vary bad weather expected on Tuesday, there are talks between the organizers and the Class40 skippers about shifting the start date.

 

[Roberto]

TV/direct coverage should be indicated here

https://www.routedurhum.com/fr/actualite/288

Maybe streaming kn the web site (?)

 

[Roberto]

A 360° video of Macif, the camera can be moved with the mouse or by sliding the finger on the screen

 

[Roberto]

Live webcam from the port

 

[Roberto]

After the start, Hugo Boss leading the Imoca, Charal close second.

Technical stop at Roscoff for Banque Populaire; Macif first nearing Ushant

 

[Roberto]

HB taking a lonesome option going almost WNW, other Imoca following the coast WSW

 

[Dave100456]

Interesting to see how it plays out for HB with the Nly route. I see others now following. Lets hope he doesn't get headed during the early part of the week.
Go Alex!

 

[Roberto]

Very good move by HB which is paying off
Meanwhile, too bad Gitana while being first of the Ultim hit some floating debris and broke the starboard ama, he is currently heading to Spain.
Other boats seeking refuge in Camaret, Lorient, Brest either for technical repairs or to avoid being in the worst of the weather tomorrow.

During the night one grounding near Perros, boat probably lost but skipper rescued.

 

[flaming]

Very good move by HB which is paying off

Little bit early to be calling that I think!

This 1st period is all about positioning for that depression that's inbound. Playing with a few forecast sites, I like Alex's position from a wind direction point of view. Looks like in 24-48 hours time he can be much further west than the others and able to be sailing free when it's possible they'll still be trying to go upwind.

But... Also looks like he'll have to go through stronger breeze to get there...

As an aside, Alex vs the other IMOCA skippers is always fascinating. Alex is the only one of the top skippers that trains alone. The others all do a lot of sailing together, which I think probably makes them less inclined to split from the pack, and Alex far more inclined to trust his weather routing. Of course with the split happening so early in the race this is clearly a team decision with a lot of routing support.

Does take a special kind of sailor to take that sort of split though. Especially when you think you've got one of the fastest boats...

 

[Bobc]

Brave decision by Alex to go north of Ushant, but it's starting to look like the right one. It looks like he could stay in more breeze and from further abeam than the pack, whch is what his boat likes.

 

[flaming]

Ignoring Alex... There's a really big split opening up in the IMOCA fleet already. 40 miles between those who gapped across the light patch, and those who are having to sail upwind through it to the new breeze.

That's going to sting for those who just missed out, like Sam Davies.

 

[Roberto]

Great, great race by HB.

Meanwhile, organizers have said over 30boats have diverted to French or Spanish ports, none has declared to retire; waiting for the worst to pass but it might take a few days. The tracker looks like a coloured spaghetti plate.

 

[Bobc]

2 dis-mastings this morning.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Why has Banque Populiare retired?

 

[flaming]

Why has Banque Populiare retired?

It is upside down.

 

[Bobc]

It is upside down.

Float broke off and it capsized.

 

[Wansworth]

Nasty weather here off Galician coast.

 

[Roberto]

Float broke off and it capsized.

Portugal MRCC has sent a reconnaissance plane, likewise the French from Lorient naval air base.
Can t imagine what is like to spend a night inside an upturned hull with 4-5m waves.

Sam Davies changing course as well, the hull has started delaminating in places.