Vendee 2020

[MicHughV]

they say an army marches on it's stomach....no further explanation needed..

true....not many fishes strike a lure at speeds....especially a surface lure...but wahoo (pretty damn good good eating btw) will go for it ...so will tuna........and the odd mahi mahi....

in my offshore trips, I usually always throw a few lures over the back...it's a hit and miss thing...I've spent weeks with nary a bite....'tis true....but I have caught fish....

as to slowing the boat....hmmmm....maybe by 0.00001 knot...but off course, I'm not racing....

I will confess....I have never tried to drag a lure where these boys are.....I'm intrigued by the thought...wonder what swims there ????

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by DomPerignon

But the challenge of the Vendee is big wind and waves. Missing so far except for that tropical storm in the first week.

Indeed. Looks less rough this time.


Correct me, but I think the ice limit is further out for this edition?


I sometimes see big weather rolling to their S.


b.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

I wonder if you could drag a fishing lure behind those Vendee boats...they are under autopilot...no engine noise....it gives you something to do...provides protein...etc.....in fact, I'd drag two lures...I wonder what you'd be able to catch there in the southern ocean.....the mind boggles...

in my neck of the woods, fishing for wahoo is usually high speed trolling....I see some possibilities here......grilled tuna for dinner instead of freeze dried....you bet !!!

Look up Giancarlo Pedote's video posts. He is definitely not into the dried thing.


The Parmigiano in his shows always looks the real thing. Also the pasta looks 100% Italian grano duro.


b.

[barnakiel]

It is interesting that up to this point any of the leading 10 may end up a winner. They seem to have some kind of match race or club regatta out there now. I love it.


I am also watching two boats slowly but surely making up distance lost at the beginning of the race: the Charal and the L'Occitane.


While Charal is a known, the other one is pretty much something experimental. She sure sails well and her skipper knows how to get her up to pace.


In the fore pack, I like now watching Isabelle Joschke's vids. I sometimes look at her and think that in a street fight I would rather be on her side. If I get an IMOCA one day, I know where to ask for some lessons.



b.

[MicHughV]

looking at the "future" windy map, it would appear that the fleet may be in for a tumultuous time in days to come...

until these boats pass Cape Horn, I would not be willing to bet....and then there is one final hurdle, crossing the doldrums on the way back....

in my book...just finishing this race is winning...whether you are first or last or anything in between...you are a champ in my book !!

[DomPerignon]

Maybe they should be allowed to use their engines

[MicHughV]

or oars....when the wind drops....break out the oars...

[DomPerignon]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

or oars....when the wind drops....break out the oars...

[Franziska]

That would than be like the, very cool, Alaska race:

https://r2ak.com/r2ak-explained/

Originally Posted by MicHughV

or oars....when the wind drops....break out the oars...

[Franziska]

Yes, Armel certainly is slowly catching up and shows that he has found the right groove.
Seems to be a nice guy too.

Originally Posted by barnakiel

It is interesting that up to this point any of the leading 10 may end up a winner. They seem to have some kind of match race or club regatta out there now. I love it.


I am also watching two boats slowly but surely making up distance lost at the beginning of the race: the Charal and the L'Occitane.


While Charal is a known, the other one is pretty much something experimental. She sure sails well and her skipper knows how to get her up to pace.


In the fore pack, I like now watching Isabelle Joschke's vids. I sometimes look at her and think that in a street fight I would rather be on her side. If I get an IMOCA one day, I know where to ask for some lessons.



b.

[MicHughV]

I seem to recall that on Sayula II, the first Whitbread around the world race winner from Mexico, the crew was relieved that they had just crossed the finish line as they had just drunk the last bottle of wine the night before.....

[S-V SAGA]

It must be disheartening to be passed by Jeremie Beyou. Everyone else had a 10 day, 2500 mile headstart. He has the best average speed at 18.2 kits.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Indeed. Looks less rough this time.


Correct me, but I think the ice limit is further out for this edition?


I sometimes see big weather rolling to their S.


b.

Yes, each edition has progressively extended and moved the ice limit north - it used to be a few waypoints and the racers would go as far south as they wanted between them. I haven’t heard about the argument that it’s to save fuel for rescue services - the distances further south actually aren’t all that much.

I believe the big extensions and continuous exclusion zones in the previous and this edition are because of increased ice shedding in several Antarctic areas that’s increased the number of bergs and growlers. The organisers have legal responsibility for the safety of participants and a hard and extended ice limit is part of that.

The Ocean Race and the Clipper Race both have firm limits and course changes to keep them out of the deep south. Somehow the Trophee Jules Verne has avoided that.

[MicHughV]

there is quite a HUGE difference in boat speed with the lead boats and the stragglers....a good 4,000 nm or more...say at an average speed of 12 knots....that's around 14 days behind the leaders....14 days !!!!...even Jeremy at 3,600 nm....at ave. speed 16 knots..is about 9.5 days behind....had he not returned, he could well have been leading the pack by now..
ya, having boat speed is one thing, but avoiding breakages...of any kind..is certainly a key component...
still have a ways to go yet..much could happen...

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by fxykty

Somehow the Trophee Jules Verne has avoided that.

Yes, The Trophee Jules Verne is almost totally unrestricted, and probably the only race left to be so.

https://www.tropheejulesverne.org/en/reglement/

The “Jules Verne Trophy” is a simple and unrestricted sailing contest, with freedom as one of its keywords.

ROUTE

* Cross the starting line between Ushant Island and the Lizard.

* Down the Atlantic, pass the Great Capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin, and Horn to port, back up the Atlantic.

* Cross the finishing line between Ushant Island and the Lizard.

PARTICIPANTS

* The Trophy is open to all types of vessels and crews, without restriction.

ASISSTANCE

* No outside assistance is allowed.


Simple huh!?