Vendee Globe and Alex Thomson / Hugo Boss

Yes , Thank you ?
Worth remembering that for the "conventional" boats the OD mast is a really good option as it was specifically designed to be very strong on that type of boat and with so many tubes in play gets good feedback and any weaknesses ironed out. If you needed to re-rig an older conventional boat then the OD mast is probably where you'd go.
 
Gonna be a PITA if they all have to sail to the limitations of their masts , Bit like colin mcrae driving to the limits of his tyres ?
Yes... But they need to sail to the limitation of something. Arguably better for the mast to come down than the hull to let go etc. And also worth saying that the new boats with the OD mast are demonstrably faster than the older boats that have been retrofitted with foils and can have beefed up masts, like Sam's.
 
and goes by the mantra.. To finish first, first you have to finish...

Although the ITCZ/Doldrums can so easily catch out leading boats if they drop into a wind hole and following boats see this and can re-route accordingly.. This light wind part of the race I do think some luck comes into play..


(Think I was responding to an earlier post Didn't see so many posts had been added since!)
 
How much can the boats see of each other? We get 6 updates a day but presumably their teams can monitor them real time and then they report hourly ? to race control. Would be good to know.
 
How much can the boats see of each other? We get 6 updates a day but presumably their teams can monitor them real time and then they report hourly ? to race control. Would be good to know.
i believe that they report to race HQ every 30 mins , i dont know if this info normally is relayed to teams AIS is restricted and only info available is as is on open availability ( afaik )
 
Has Alex gone too far West?

I think that's too early to say. The route chosen at this point involves something of a gamble, as the reliability of the wind predictions is only solid for 2-3 days, so they are all taking a punt on how it will be 7 days hence.

There was quite a good analysis of the routing options down to the Cape on the Sea Wolves You tube channel

 
Just watched Jean le Cam’s video clip of his crossing of the equator. Pleased to see that he was not fobbing Neptune off with the ropey stuff, but was going to share a bottle of chateau Teynac 2010 (st Julien) with him.
 
that man's got good taste

Just watched Jean le Cam’s video clip of his crossing of the equator. Pleased to see that he was not fobbing Neptune off with the ropey stuff, but was going to share a bottle of chateau Teynac 2010 (st Julien) with him.
 
Just watched Jean le Cam’s video clip of his crossing of the equator. Pleased to see that he was not fobbing Neptune off with the ropey stuff, but was going to share a bottle of chateau Teynac 2010 (st Julien) with him.
cant find that on YT ,, could you be a gentleman and post a link, pls, R
 
I think that's too early to say. The route chosen at this point involves something of a gamble, as the reliability of the wind predictions is only solid for 2-3 days, so they are all taking a punt on how it will be 7 days hence.

There was quite a good analysis of the routing options down to the Cape on the Sea Wolves You tube channel

yes ,,, and ,, the auto pilot costing more than the sails !!!
 
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