Stotty
Active Member
Fantastic footage from the French naval helicopter!
AT on STBD now
AT on STBD now
Vendée Globe 2016-2017
- Thread starter Andrew E
- Start date
Captn D
Well-Known Member
Totally Agree amazing footage!
I wonder if he was putting on a show for the helicopter. Armel on BP looked quite sedate compared to HB. HB appeared to have a larger reaching foresail plus a staysail up. I fear that to keep that sail area up in those conditions, he would be risking damage. I reckon his shore team would have had kittens on seeing that!
Stotty
Active Member
He said in the video released this morning that he'd been pushing hard to catch/stay with Armel, but he was monitoring the loads closely.
However, in the video footage the boat is virtually laid on its side at 20knts+, whilst plowing in to waves on a couple of occasions... half the keel was out of the water lol
Also, looked like Armel was sailing a slightly different angle - marginally more wind behind than AT - I guess to try and take advantage of his STBD foil.
Shame we don't get more footage like that - I'd love to see some when it's blowing 30+ and the seas are big!
flaming
Well-Known Member
What I took from the footage was that in the same conditions HB was so much more bow up and ploughing through the waves far less frequently. Which was very surprising without the foil. Would love to have seen footage like that for direct comparison when Alex had a foil.
Just_sayin'
Well-Known Member
Something that I don't understand is that his sails look perfectly set. All the time! Does he oversheet slightly to allow for minor wind shifts or is it that the ocean is so vast there just aren't any local ones as per The Solent etc?
Supine Being
Well-Known Member
First place regained for Alex Thomson according to the 15h00 CET bulletin. Good man!
geoid96
Well-Known Member
It could be that his auto pilot is steering to apparent wind rather than compass.
E39mad
Well-Known Member
Yes I thought this too together with an alarm in case it veers off the VMG too much so can reset the sails and go again!
[70521]
Well-Known Member
Perhaps the one occasion when wearing a lifejacket in that area would have been any use.
As an ex customer of mine used to say, it you drop a frog into a pot of boiling water it will jump out if you start with cold water and heat then it will stay in the pot, meaning for us it would be terrifying for Alex, and the other competitors, it is just another day at the office.
Dave100456
Well-Known Member
Great video. Good to see him taking it steady!! Wouldn't like to be onboard when he's pushing it!
Will it be reported in the Fr media about him STEALING the lead again?!
Will it be reported in the Fr media about him STEALING the lead again?!
roblpm
Well-Known Member
5pm update. 4.4nm lead. He is pulling away......................... I wonder how far apart they were when he overtook Armel. You think they waved at each other??!
{151760}
...
If they were in sight of each other, I suspect it would be more a gesticulation than a wave. Good natured and respectful, of course.
Seven Spades
Well-Known Member
Anyone know how far they have sailed so far I can't see this information only distance to go.
chrishscorp
Well-Known Member
Amazing footage! Alex is a total mad man and not even clipped on - especially at 45 seconds when that wave crashes over the deck!! What a legend!
+1 wicked footage
armchairsailor
Well-Known Member
It must be great to have that level of attention after days of nothing, but it must be really hard psychologically when the frigate vanishes over the horizon and you're on your own again. These guys are made from tough stuff.
Again, great footage and good on the navy and tv station for making somethin very special happen.
Again, great footage and good on the navy and tv station for making somethin very special happen.
SimonFa
Well-Known Member
I can't see anything that says how far they've sailed either but if we assume they've averaged 20kn, a best guess and easy number, then according to the app they've been going 25 days and 15 hours so that would be ((25 x 24) + 15) x 20 = 12,300nm. With about 14,500 to go that looks reasonably close.
grafozz
Well-Known Member
Well done the French navy for that fantastic footage ,
do we have a frigate down there to film the next section ??
When and more significantly , how ,will Alex change his rudder ?
andwhat will it cost him in time and distance ?
do we have a frigate down there to film the next section ??
When and more significantly , how ,will Alex change his rudder ?
andwhat will it cost him in time and distance ?
Neeves
Well-Known Member
The common pit stop is Auckland Island, its been used twice. If you look at the routing map they are the islands mid 'route' south of NZ, so actually the only sensible place to stop - and offer a decnet anchorage.
If you google 'Auckland Island' and Vendee Globe' you will get chapter and verse on previous stops.
Jonathan
If you google 'Auckland Island' and Vendee Globe' you will get chapter and verse on previous stops.
Jonathan
Robert Wilson
Well-Known Member
I've missed that
What news, or is it his foil?Close to the ice limit again, at 0800. Hope he can keep the wind on starboard where he bears away until that next bit of southerly wind.
17nm ahead (for now.....)
C'mon Alex
LePacha
Well-Known Member
As much as I would like to see Armel winning it, I have to say that I am really amazed at Alex's race. My only concern is that it looks like he's pushing his mount to the limit. Wonder how long the boat and the man will be able to take it. That being said, this is his trademark.
Looks like they are not sailing the same route anyway. We'll see at the end who was right, but they are certainly giving us a good show.
Looks like they are not sailing the same route anyway. We'll see at the end who was right, but they are certainly giving us a good show.