Vendée Globe 2016-2017

Marion Dufresne is about 10 hours away from Kito. I believe she's capable of lifting IMOCA 60s so I wonder if they'll bring Kitos boat onboard?

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Big Joe, glad you enjoyed my story of Enda's earlier sailing days. He was a "standout" guy even then. :)[/QUOTE]

This is the first V.G. I have really got into, and I must say Enda is really making the experience enjoyable, along with some excellent racing.
 
It's worth remembering that the speeds shown are those at the instant the data was transmitted, so perhaps not a true indicator of performance over a period of time. This explains why someone can be pulling ahead even though their speed appears to be slower.

Afew OSTARs ago, a competitor was shown to be heading back to Plymouth and doing only a knot and a half. He was assumed to be dismasted. In fact, he'd rounded up (sail change?) at the instant the tracker sent the data.
 
oldvarnish said:
It's worth remembering that the speeds shown are those at the instant the data was transmitted, so perhaps not a true indicator of performance over a period of time. This explains why someone can be pulling ahead even though their speed appears to be slower.

Afew OSTARs ago, a competitor was shown to be heading back to Plymouth and doing only a knot and a half. He was assumed to be dismasted. In fact, he'd rounded up (sail change?) at the instant the tracker sent the data.
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That figures, thank you. Enlightening.

Still nerve wracking though - unless one is an Armel supporter :(
 
I find it quite alarming how many boats have now been damaged by hitting a UFO.

Given how big the ocean is you'd like to think it was a pretty remote but theoretical possibility, but it seems to be quite a high risk given that I think 4 boats out of 29 have been disabled partially or completely so far, and plenty more racing to be done.
 
Robert Wilson said:
Still nerve wracking though - unless one is an Armel supporter :(
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Never too late if you want less stressful times :)

That being said, it was a bit difficult too with the fast pace Alex imposed to the fleet until a week ago. And experience has shown multiple times that everything can stop fairly quickly for any of them.

Funny that you're speaking about supporters though... I personally don't really care who will be winning - Armel time is due but nothing to do with the fact that he's French.
 
Neeves said:
There is no point in match racing for the second half of the race. Armel is much faster on port than Alex is, over Armel, on starboard. Alex therefore needs to carry a starboard tack much longer than Armel needs to on port. Match racing - they are going to be on port and starboard for a similar length of time and Alex will surely but slowly lose miles. Armel only needs to cover Alex and he will win, on current showing.

There was talk of Alex carrying a spare foil - but to fit that (if it exists and is possible - but why carry it if you cannot fit it) will cost him hours. Cutting off the stump is unlikely to allow him to hold Armel.

If he continues to lose ground then his only options are to fit the 'possible' foil.
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Neeves. It is good to hear from someone who makes an educated and informed analysis. I 100% agree. Its difficult to see how Alex can compete for the rest of the race on match racing terms. He is likely to be forced to try some alternate tactics, which may offer the chance of catching up, but without losing a near-certain 2nd place.
 
Odd run north east on Alex track a few hours ago. Looked like he was running directly downwind. Lost a lot of ground. I expected this morning to have seen him reel in a few more miles from Armel.
 
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