Vendee Globe 2024, Brits

[John_Silver]

Boris’ foil damage:

 

[Buck Turgidson]

View attachment 188148

"You and Charlie are next level, compared to the rest of the fleet. How do you get to that level?" Andi Robertson asks Yoann Richomme. In an interview which also touches on "any regrets? boat design - where next? the big low" and much else beside. Iluminating, of fact and character. (Should open 17.22)

I think he's my favourite character wise in this fleet. I can relate to his attitude. Hope we see him next time around.

 

[John_Silver]

Post race pix (for @ridgy ) of Charlie's hull crack. Sustained whilst riding the Indian Ocean low, with Seb. The sail, damaged at the same time, was the FR0. If I've understood correctly. Yoann's verdict (post #460): Charlie "came close to breaking his boat," with that tactic.

Gives the rare chance, of a general nose around below decks, after a lap of the globe. With the boat just as Charlie stepped off it.

 

[John_Silver]

Boris dons his "no problemo" cap, heaves his IMOCA to (is this a first?), gets the damaged foil 80% retracted, straps up the exposed part (a la Charlie 2020), and is back under way. Compromised on starboard, but still in the race.

 

[John_Silver]

Seb, sighted off Ile d'Yeu

Arrival Live from 23.15 on YouTube. Which is not far off low water, so he won't make it up the canal tonight.

 

[John_Silver]

Takes a bit of processing.......



......Sets new 24 hour distance record, of 615nm, in the Atlantic. Vies for the lead, in the Indian. Holds it all together, tactically and mentally, after losing his starboard foil, in the Pacific. Arrives, in Les Sables, six and a half days inside the record set by Armel Le Cleac'h. Is on the Vendee Globe podium, in his home town.

 

[John_Silver]

Podium performances:



Ortho = VMG
% = (I think) ground track distance v rhumb line distance as a %

 

[Birdseye]

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......

God but I would love to be that age and doing that sort of sailing. Brilliant videos, particualrly the first one.

 

[John_Silver]