Vendee Globe 2024, Brits

John_Silver

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Benji takes tenth. In a swell height estimated at 10m, by the TV Vendee commentary team. Small wonder Clarisse is slowed to 8kts.....

Benji tenth.png

Clarisse expected, by TV Vendee, to follow Benji into La Rochelle, Bassin des Chalutiers, once over the line. 100nm to go (rhumb line distance). So, probably, more like 130nm over the ground......Then 30nm to La Rochelle.
 
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dunedin

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At what point will they accept that Les Sables - a shallow lee shore in the Bay of Biscay, with no shelter to the entrance channel and too shallow for the boats even in a flat calm at LW - is not a great place for a finishing line in January / February?
It takes a long time to gybe one of these boats solo in strong winds - by which time could easily be up the beach or at least inside the surf line, which is just as bad. It is an unnecessary danger to tired skippers.
Surely for safety they either need to move the finish line further offshore permanently - or at least have an alternative finish line 5-10 miles further out that can be invoked by the Race Officials in strong inshore winds (which are pretty common at this time of year).
PS. Have been there, sailed there - but would not want to in anything much above F5-6.
 

John_Silver

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At what point will they accept that Les Sables - a shallow lee shore in the Bay of Biscay, with no shelter to the entrance channel and too shallow for the boats even in a flat calm at LW - is not a great place for a finishing line in January / February?
It takes a long time to gybe one of these boats solo in strong winds - by which time could easily be up the beach or at least inside the surf line, which is just as bad. It is an unnecessary danger to tired skippers.
Surely for safety they either need to move the finish line further offshore permanently - or at least have an alternative finish line 5-10 miles further out that can be invoked by the Race Officials in strong inshore winds (which are pretty common at this time of year).
PS. Have been there, sailed there - but would not want to in anything much above F5-6.
.......Although, after 36 years of investment, the town of Les Sables d'Olonne and Le Departement Vendee make take some persuading to relinquish the brand that they've built. Especially with likely contenders (Lorient, La Foret? Brest? La Rochelle) being out of area.......... However much merit your sailor's logic has, from a pure seamanship point of view.
 
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John_Silver

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La Rochelle channel ain’t very deep either - if I recall about 1m at chart datum. Will need a decent tide to get in.
Yes, you’re right, with a 4.5m draft they’ll need some rise. Benji seems to be loitering between the tip of Oleron and Ile de Re. Clarisse’s FB says they reckon she’s OK, to get in until, 04.30. HW 02.00 UTC. On that basis, Benji’s OK from midnight.
 

dunedin

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Yes, you’re right, with a 4.5m draft they’ll need some rise. Benji seems to be loitering between the tip of Oleron and Ile de Re. Clarisse’s FB says they reckon she’s OK, to get in until, 04.30. HW 02.00 UTC.
HW is only 5m at 02:33 tomorrow - so only a very narrow window to get in. Even with 2m draft we had to check the tide tables - something not familiar with where we come from.
 

John_Silver

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Was it too rough for dutrux to pick up crew after he finished? Be grim to have to do another night on his own.
No word, that I’ve heard. BUT his AIS track (ELOE) shows a big circuit, off Les Sables, before making for La Rochelle. So, hopefully, got a RIB out and team aboard. Otherwise, like you say, grim. Fingers crossed!
Same for Clarisse. She’s only 30nm off the finish, now…..
 

John_Silver

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Clarisse over the line, in 11th. Now waiting off the La Rochelle entrance.

IMG_9865.jpeg

Benji eventually locked in, to Bassin des Chalutiers, at 02.00. (Eloe on AIS). At the top of the tide, as foreseen by @dunedin.

IMG_9863.jpeg

Long wait for Clarisse. High Water 14.30 UTC. Benji’s support boat(?) looks to be at her position (Eole on AIS. Which, along with a lifeboat, met Benji last night).

Clarisse arrival La Rochelle Crop.jpg

EDIT: Both arrivals, on France 3:


Who will be next in and when? Can Sam D & Boris be caught by Romain & Co? Whilst they wait for a Biscay weather window......
 
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John_Silver

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Sam D & Boris continue to edge up, to Cabo Finisterre, in big breeze. 80nm apart. Making 11 to 14 knots. Boris in (arguably) the most heavy weather optimised boat in the fleet.

IMG_9868.jpeg

The forecast is for a lull (relatively speaking) in the wind strength and, to a lesser extent, the wave height, over the next 12hrs. Are they ‘going in?’

If they are: I'm speculating that Boris' damaged port foil wouldn't be a factor. These surely can't be foiling conditions? Even if it were, the forecast suggests that, he'd be coming in on his ‘good’ starboard foil. On the port gybe.....

IMG_9869.jpeg
 
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