Vendée Globe 2016-2017

Armel is a magician threading his way through these weather systems at 'high speed'.

I was looking at the VG news and this:
Thomson has had another slow spell, fighting his way out of the messy low pressure centre which has stalled his fast speeds for three days, but he should break into contrary, easterly winds this morning. He is anticipated to be at Cape Horn in the afternoon on Christmas Day.

The 0900 snapshot caught Alex heading upwind (south -ish) at very low speed - I wonder if he was hove to carrying out repairs on deck.

I am still hooked and spend far too long looking at how everyone is doing.
 
It gets worse, Armel looks to be rounding the Horne with Alex dropping a further 30 miles now at 765 miles behind and still significantly slower.
 
petehb said:
It gets worse, Armel looks to be rounding the Horne with Alex dropping a further 30 miles now at 765 miles behind and still significantly slower.
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Perhaps it's his "Voyage around my father".

I'll get me coat. :o

Actually, Armel looks to be sailing onto The Horn according to the 11:00 report. Going to take pics, perhaps!
 
ALC is round Cape Horn now, averaging 15.5kt since the start! That is incredible.

We can only wonder where AT would be now had his foil not broken. Armel really is a masterful tactician / navigator / router though, hugely impressive.

Go Alex!! :)
 
Andrew E said:
Come on Alex! Get Hugo Boss home and go again in 4 years time.
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I reckon thats what he is thinking now and his emotions will be a rollercoaster as he realises the game is over, despair and sadness followed by relief, realisation and acceptance. What he has to do is make the best of it for himself and the sponsors.
 
AT is finally on starboard and ALC is beating in light winds. I think some significant reeling in is about to occur.
 
adwuk said:
AT is finally on starboard and ALC is beating in light winds. I think some significant reeling in is about to occur.
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Yes he will get back some of the 800 miles, already reeled in 100+ but come Sunday Monday it will be his turn for the light headwinds. I would like to see him win or at least get within a couple of hundred miles which in real terms with a broken foil would be a win.
 
Yes, looking better for Alex and all things being equal he should round the Horn midday 25th and have better 'post Horn' winds than Armel has had, since he did a Dylan Winter. But Alex has a lot to do to overhaul Armel considering how good Armel is at reading the wind systems. Interestingly, Jeremie Beyou (currently 3rd) has had a great couple of days and is reeling Alex in.

Latest video from AT
 
SMA has officially retired owing to the damaged keel ram, and is heading for French Polynesia. He was pretty close to 'point Nemo', the furthest point from land, so every option involves a long sail in a crippled boat.
Roura, Bellion, and O'Coineen are sticking together to share weather info.
It's an amazing camaraderie to have in a race- anybody who thinks this is just about getting round the course first is missing the point, IMO.
 
Alex has halved the deficit. Nice early Christmas present.



Another sailing holiday for the Thomson household :cool:
 
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Andrew E said:
Alex has halved the deficit. Nice early Christmas present.



Another sailing holiday for the Thomson household :cool:
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It will be crucial how he fairs dealing with the light winds up to the Falklands which have caused Armel so much difficulty, if he gets through those like he did in the Cape Verde then he stands a slim chance of catching Armel. The next two days will be very interesting. Nice to see him chippa.
 
Bet the bowl isn't carbon fibre though! It looks interesting as to how the winds around the Falklands will affect the distance between them. It is almost as warm as here!!!
 
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