Vendee Globe 2024, Brits

[John_Silver]

Boris lost his J2 hook so he's sailing J3 and waiting for a lull to effect a repair. Biotherm is catching quite fast so first to equator is open but I'm still calling it for Sam G. At the front I think Charlie may well have it now and if anyone deserves a win it's him. Justine still minimising manoeuvres, I think she's in the same generation boat as Sam G so another impressive race. And she's Swiss so lots of interest at work which makes it fun for me.

Well....you've been impressively accurate, to date. Keeping everything crossed, for Sam G!

Jeremie Beyou, whom Sam was suspecting of nursing an issue (post #417), and is his current dueling partner, was talking about a mainsail hook problem. A couple of weeks back. Couldn't hoist main beyond the first (I think) reef. Had spares aboard, to fix the hook/lock. BUT a section of mast track required removal, in order to effect the repair. No subsequent word (that I've picked up) on how that went......

Agree, Justine is putting on a show almost (only because I'm Brit biased) as impressive as Sam G's. Her boat is a 2018 VPLP (Charal, in the 2020 race). So same generation as Sam G's 2019 Verdier. Understand that Juju lost her masthead instruments, in the Big South. (As well as, later, her J0). Which may explain why she's keeping her course 'simple. ' (Combination of no steer to wind, on the autopilot, and the missing sail compromising her angles, maybe?)




Think (hope!) Charlie and Yoann will keep us guessing, over the weekend. Yoann wasn't around, when I was in Les Sables, for the New York Vendee finish. But Charlie very much was (having just won!). I was struck by his response, when a young fan broke ranks, from a visting school group. Approaching Charlie, in the middle of this pontoon interview, brandishing a poster to sign. Charlie broke off midway through, and climbed off his stool, smiling broadly. Before crouching down, laughing and chatting with the lad for five minutes or more. As if they were best mates meeting up in the playground. Clearly a genuinely 'decent bloke.' As well as an awe inspiring racer.

 

[John_Silver]

Yoann has lost his J0. Latest victim of a failed halyard lock. Cost him 20 mins to recover the (now unusable) sail. And is likely to reduce his chances, of a successful comeback v Charlie, before the finish..... (From Dee's 'Live')

......Yoann's Plan (hatched before today's setback) had relied on playing to his boat's downwind strengths, coming into Biscay. Contains illuminating thoughts, regarding a potential Charlie victory, and 'that decision' ('mistake,' he calls it) in the south.

 

[John_Silver]

Jeremie Beyou has spoken:

"I broke my starboard foil rod, which explained my speed deficit on port tack. It took me the day to repair, it was hell."

No word on the mainsail halyard lock. Perhaps fixed whilst in one of the light airs patches?

Watch out, Sam G! (Unless there are still undeclared issues, aboard Charal?)

 

[John_Silver]

Sam G looking happy here. With Jeremie astern and his routings now showing the finish line. 4000nm ahead, as a smiling Sam reminds us:

 

[John_Silver]

Tip & Shaft reckons that Yoann is still in with a chance v Charlie. Even without his J0 - subject to a weather caveat. And that Sam G will cross the equator in 4th (in agreement with @Buck Turgidson ) on Monday morning.

 

[John_Silver]

Sam G doing a remarkable job (in a 2019 Verdier) of holding off Jeremie (in a 2022 Manuard). Long may it continue!

 

[John_Silver]

If this proves to be Jean Le Cam’s last Vendée Globe (aged 65), he’s bowing out with a bang. 14th out of 35. Ahead of 8 foilers, in his David Raison daggerboarder. And easing up toward Sam D & Co. Consistently finding breeze/boat speed, when those around him cannot.

 

[John_Silver]

Sam G, on match racing Jeremie, handling pressure and the outlook for the doldrums. Followed by some perceptive Q's from Mich Des, Abby Ehler & Andi Robertson. On Andi's 'Live,' (should open @6.23).

Word from Yoann @15.50: "Catching Charlie.......I don't see it happening."

And, Abby's insights, on crew-mate (aboard Holcim, in the Ocean Race) Sam G's skill set. From 18.20.

 

[John_Silver]

Extreme docking manoeuvre, in Port Stanley, for Eric Bellion (sailing the sistership to Jean Le Cam's boat). Look at that seastate, in the (relative) shelter of the harbour! Superb seamanship by all involved.

Intends to complete the course (outside the race, now that he has received 'outside assistance'), once his J2 stay is robustly reattached to the deck.

 

[Birdseye]

Sam G doing a remarkable job (in a 2019 Verdier) of holding off Jeremie (in a 2022 Manuard). Long may it continue!

Is the boat the full story - he is more than 2800 miles behind which is one hell of a distance even in a 24000 mile race. Suggests that the boat is more than 10% slower - have they really made that big a jump in just 5 years? I guess it also has to be Dalin sailing a better race.

 

[John_Silver]

Is the boat the full story - he is more than 2800 miles behind which is one hell of a distance even in a 24000 mile race. Suggests that the boat is more than 10% slower - have they really made that big a jump in just 5 years? I guess it also has to be Dalin sailing a better race.

No question that Charlie is sailing a superb race. In a new generation boat. (As are second placed Yoann and, third placed, one-foil-Seb). Evidence for the boat being only part of the story is:

Thomas Ruyant (latterly sans J2) is 2960nm astern of Yoann, sailing Koch sisterships; and Jean Le Cam was leading Eric Bellion, sailing David Raison sisterships, at the point of Eric's abandonment. And Sam D was ahead of Louis Burton, when he abandoned. With both Manuards from the same mould. There are other similar examples.

BUT its worth listening to Sam G, on the newer boats sometimes being able to "smoke (him) like they're another class," during training. Boat design is an enabling factor, in the right hands, if not the whole story. For example: Charlie talked about his boat’s performance opening up “options previously only open to multihulls.” Offering him a (new) strategic choice, of sailing east within the centre of ‘that’ Indian Ocean low. (Should open @2.33)

There was some informed discussion, on the subject, on today's 'Live.' Between Race Director Hubert Lemonnier and Boris Herrmann. Which then went on (from Boris's design decisions and their role in his ranking) to the Thomas v Yoann case. (Should open @13.41)

On the speed gain question: The 2020 race was won in 74 days. Charlie is expected, over the line, early on day 65 (Tuesday). Man maths says 9 days shaved off 74 is a 12% speed gain.

Of course, Charlie was 'bookies favourite,' before the start, for a reason......

 

[John_Silver]

Wild weather, for Violette (same low as Eric Bellion docked in), north of the Falklands. Sailing bare headed. After losing her J3 overboard (due to 'mast fitting' failure - not the hook, this time). Waiting for a lull, to make repairs and rehoist the recovered sail. Meanwhile forced to over-reef the main, to preserve her mast. (Standing without the forward pull of the J3, to balance out the drive of the main). Sounding very matter-of-fact here:

 

[John_Silver]

Sam G north of the equator. Still in fourth, by minutes. With an upwind leg ahead. In which Jeremie’s new generation Manuard excels (see first clip post #431, 2.33 in)

Charlie up level with Penmarc’h. Set for a Tuesday arrival.

 

[flaming]

Is the boat the full story - he is more than 2800 miles behind which is one hell of a distance even in a 24000 mile race. Suggests that the boat is more than 10% slower - have they really made that big a jump in just 5 years? I guess it also has to be Dalin sailing a better race.

It's a feature of Ocean racing that a tiny increase in performance can allow a boat to make a weather system that one who was only 10 miles behind falls off. Then massive gaps open up. Which is exactly what happened in this race in the earl part of the Southern Ocean.
Sometimes the weather then conspires to bring the chasing boats back up to the leaders.... This time it has not.

 

[John_Silver]

Sam G is on the Beeb ,and neck and neck with Jeremie

 

[John_Silver]

Charlie in sight of Penmarc’h



Screenshot from Andi’s ‘Live.’

 

[John_Silver]

Alot in Andi's 'Live' for Sam G fans:

Sam G on his routing outlook @ 13.32

Followed by Andi & Will on his routing outlook @ 22.53

See also the Will and Clarisse 'proud parents society' @11.00. It will lift your heart!

And Heli shots, of Charlie off Penmarc'h @ 3.26

 

[John_Silver]

Word from Pip , in Melbourne (Facebook).
EDIT: Now on YouTube too

 

[John_Silver]

Paul Meilhat joins the duelling duo (Sam G & Jeremie). Now just 23nm astern.



As Charlie short tacks toward the finish line.

 

[ridgy]

Surprised he's going so far inshore at night. Getting caught on a pot now would seriously spoil his day.