Route du Rhum
- Thread starter michael_w
- Start date
dunedin
Well-known member
Yes, quite a fleet. And often some carnage if they get a big blow near the start.
flaming
Well-known member
I’ve been in at malo for the last couple of days, just got home in fact. It’s completely and utterly mental… The number of people coming just to look at the boats…
And the boats….! I was lucky enough to get tours of some of the IMOCAs, including Maitre Coq, which is brand new. Just wow. And the class 40s are almost as mad, the latest ones aren’t even pretending to be pointy at the bow. And at rest the first part of the boat to touch the water is a good 6 feet plus back from the bow.
And then the Ultimes. Holy moly, 1 person…
There was quite a lot of nervousness about the forecast. Especially amongst the IMOCA fleet, as a lot of the fleet are going to need the miles for Vendée qualifying. Plus a significant portion of the fleet are so new that this will be the first time sailing in any wind…
Will be worth following for sure, but I’llonly be able to relax once Pip is safely through the heavy stuff that’s due in the first couple of days….
And the boats….! I was lucky enough to get tours of some of the IMOCAs, including Maitre Coq, which is brand new. Just wow. And the class 40s are almost as mad, the latest ones aren’t even pretending to be pointy at the bow. And at rest the first part of the boat to touch the water is a good 6 feet plus back from the bow.
And then the Ultimes. Holy moly, 1 person…
There was quite a lot of nervousness about the forecast. Especially amongst the IMOCA fleet, as a lot of the fleet are going to need the miles for Vendée qualifying. Plus a significant portion of the fleet are so new that this will be the first time sailing in any wind…
Will be worth following for sure, but I’llonly be able to relax once Pip is safely through the heavy stuff that’s due in the first couple of days….
Bobc
Well-known member
It is one hell of a fleet this year, that's for sure.
I had a good look at most of the new Imocas and the Ultimes last month in Lorient, La Foret, and La Trinite. The new Charal is a complete beast, and as you say, some of the new 40s are just mental.
I will be watching with interest.
I had a good look at most of the new Imocas and the Ultimes last month in Lorient, La Foret, and La Trinite. The new Charal is a complete beast, and as you say, some of the new 40s are just mental.
I will be watching with interest.
Lightwave395
Well-known member
Start has been postponed till Tuesday or Wednesday
Lightwave395
Well-known member
I might get to see the boats after all, we're arriving in St Malo Tuesday morning on the way to Roscoff !
dunedin
Well-known member
st599
Well-known member
Doesn't the race village take up most of one of the Marinas?
Lightwave395
Well-known member
It's spread all around the inner basins/docks
AIDY
Active member
Start at 14.15 French time today.. is their live coverage in English ? Found French channel on YouTube.
capnsensible
Well-known member
Lots of links to watch the live start on their website. Also great report on race tactics that I found fascinating.
Live tracker screen too.
Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe
Live tracker screen too.
Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe
harry potter
Member
Love it that Herrmann the German observed that besides commercial traffic, weather conditions, and wind farms, one of the chief problems to be encountered at the start was French Lobster Pots! Didn't mention orcas though.
flaming
Well-known member
Boris has a bit of history with fishing boats....
Rappey
Well-known member
Got to love youtube for the live streaming. 15 mins to go !!
harry potter
Member
Thanks !!!! 10 minutes
capnsensible
Well-known member
Enjoyed watching that start.
Images. Boats over the line early. Assistant crew to help to the start line with 10 minutes or so to go jumping overboard for rib pickup.
Quote. Big boat skipper ' I've got food for 7 days but I don't think I'll need it all'.
Images. Boats over the line early. Assistant crew to help to the start line with 10 minutes or so to go jumping overboard for rib pickup.
Quote. Big boat skipper ' I've got food for 7 days but I don't think I'll need it all'.
capnsensible
Well-known member
5 out already. One injured, 2 collided, 1 split mainsail, dunno about the other. Must be more than a tad frustrating. Especially the poor bloke who got a whack.
Rappey
Well-known member
I didn't realise how bad the large trimaran were at tacking.. but the sheer speed of these things make up for it.
capnsensible
Well-known member
I suppose when you are racing solo on a yacht 32m long and 23m wide, then nothing is simple.
harry potter
Member
Could they all hang together to go through the shipping lanes, so that at least some get a decent rest? This seems to be a race of attrition.
