Vendée Globe 2016-2017

Looks as though they are both on the same heading and Armel will just be getting the Easterlies of the TCG Alex has a little way to go yet, expect them both to stay close to the SA side until through the equatorial stuff.
 
I'm still watching JB in 3rd with interest.... he's not quite in the same weather yet as the leading two but he's pulled back 200nm on them in the last 24 hours.
 
I wondered if that was a dummy tack just before the posn schedule to try and lure Alex into following him....
I didn't see any point in that tack other than him deciding it was a mistake and tacked back onto port. maybe his routing software worked out a small gain from it based on a windshift. He must be closely watching his rear view mirror. Who's the Jackal now?
 
.
This is gripping stuff!

We will know more when they tack but it's worked out well for AT over the last 24hrs. I was worried he would fall further behind on Port and have too much to do. I know the wind angles have worked better for him but it's encouraging that his boat speed has been there too.

_____________________
 
The latest report suggests another useful bite. Remorseless. Should this continue through the night, them maybe AT will be less than 100nm behind the Breton ALC.

What would YOU do at this stage, if you were ALC?
 
Big Joe, both lead boats are sailing about 56-7 degrees off the true wind. It's just that Thompson is further south so at present has a beneficial wind angle in that the wind he is getting is almost from due North.

I understand what you are saying, however, Alex has pulled back about 700 miles, in just over a week. Also French TV was saying Armed had a problem, but he wouldn't elaborate on it.

Make it very interesting
 
Interesting that the Remora routing advisory is suggesting Armel and Alex should head due North now, whereas they seem content to continue heading 070 ish - do you think that to change course at night is too much effort/too risky/sleep depriving if the potential benefits are marginal?

I think there must be issues for Conrad Coleman in 9th who should be on 090 or thereabouts but has just turned to 310 - hope that is just temporary. Edit - Just looked at windytv and he is avoiding a pretty severe storm.
 
Last edited:
Interesting that the Remora routing advisory is suggesting Armel and Alex should head due North now, whereas they seem content to continue heading 070 ish - do you think that to change course at night is too much effort/too risky/sleep depriving if the potential benefits are marginal?

I think there must be issues for Conrad Coleman in 9th who should be on 090 or thereabouts but has just turned to 310 - hope that is just temporary. Edit - Just looked at windytv and he is avoiding a pretty severe storm.

Routing software is based on model winds. The sailors are in the real stuff.
 
Interesting that the Remora routing advisory is suggesting Armel and Alex should head due North now, whereas they seem content to continue heading 070 ish - do you think that to change course at night is too much effort/too risky/sleep depriving if the potential benefits are marginal?

I think there must be issues for Conrad Coleman in 9th who should be on 090 or thereabouts but has just turned to 310 - hope that is just temporary. Edit - Just looked at windytv and he is avoiding a pretty severe storm.
According to the tracker Alex's wind is almost from the north,that's why he's gaining so there's no way he can head true north just now. He just has to keep going until the wind starts veering. When he tacks is the important decision. Too early and he will find himself heading back to more northerly winds, too late and he will have lost miles to Armel.
 
I think there must be issues for Conrad Coleman in 9th who should be on 090 or thereabouts but has just turned to 310 - hope that is just temporary. Edit - Just looked at windytv and he is avoiding a pretty severe storm.

According to the VG site Conrad has unspecfied rig trouble that he can't properly investigate and deal with until the storm has passed. Hope it isn't too bad.
 
According to the tracker Alex's wind is almost from the north,that's why he's gaining so there's no way he can head true north just now. He just has to keep going until the wind starts veering. When he tacks is the important decision. Too early and he will find himself heading back to more northerly winds, too late and he will have lost miles to Armel.

My bad - I said due North but looking at the model again it would be more 330 ish which would (might) be doable
 
According to the tracker Alex's wind is almost from the north,that's why he's gaining so there's no way he can head true north just now. He just has to keep going until the wind starts veering. When he tacks is the important decision. Too early and he will find himself heading back to more northerly winds, too late and he will have lost miles to Armel.
Too early???
 
As we fireside followers of this year's Vendee Globe sit cosily at our screens and keyboards, I thought this clip may be a reminder of what the guys ultimately face.
Obviously there have been some re-enactment shots, but the message is there all the same.

I hope I've copied it correctly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjbBTvnM1ZM

Gulp!

Amazing. Willing to live!
 
Top