Vendee Globe - Go Tommo!

Author
Discussion

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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micky metro said:
According to vendee globe website alex is 42.2 nm behind doing 13knots to armel,s 8 knots, it,s a cliffhanger now, only ever been won by french sailors,
Armel's boat is pointing a few degrees closer to the finish than Alex', so can't look at straight boatspeed.

Lotus Notes

1,197 posts

190 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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Very close as it stands, next update at 05h00...

Marcellus

7,111 posts

218 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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who would have thought after 71 days it ends in a match race!!

but looks like they'll have to tack onto Port soon which is where the broken foil is so I suspect game over!

Flying Phil

1,578 posts

144 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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....and a mention on the BBC Main news this morning! Nail biting finish!

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Will Alex know when Armel tacks? Is that info relayed to competitors?

ou sont les biscuits

5,087 posts

194 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Ayahuasca said:
Will Alex know when Armel tacks? Is that info relayed to competitors?
The boats are fitted with AIS transponders, so even if no-one else tells him, he would know from that I suppose.

Chris Stott

13,191 posts

196 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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ou sont les biscuits said:
Ayahuasca said:
Will Alex know when Armel tacks? Is that info relayed to competitors?
The boats are fitted with AIS transponders, so even if no-one else tells him, he would know from that I suppose.
This... when we are off-shore racing we can track the position other boats in the fleet via AIS on a screen in the cockpit. It's a great system.

Windy tracker still predicting a c.40 mile DTL at the finish.

Marcellus

7,111 posts

218 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Ayahuasca said:
Will Alex know when Armel tacks? Is that info relayed to competitors?
Surely that's too late for Alex?

I'm not tactically the best but why does Alex seem content to follow Armel?

Is he hoping just to overhaul him and get close enough to stop Armel from tacking?


Huntsman

Original Poster:

8,028 posts

249 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Marcellus said:
who would have thought after 71 days it ends in a match race!!
Isn't that the most amazing bit!

Where's the national press coverage?

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Marcellus said:
Ayahuasca said:
Will Alex know when Armel tacks? Is that info relayed to competitors?
Surely that's too late for Alex?

I'm not tactically the best but why does Alex seem content to follow Armel?

Is he hoping just to overhaul him and get close enough to stop Armel from tacking?
All about wind shifts at this stage, if Alex can get / stay upwind of Armel he can make sure he is always between Armel and the finish. That would be the cautious play. He could tack away and go for the line, but a wind shift could hand the advantage to Armel. That would be risky.

Marcellus

7,111 posts

218 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Ayahuasca said:
All about wind shifts at this stage, if Alex can get / stay upwind of Armel he can make sure he is always between Armel and the finish. That would be the cautious play. He could tack away and go for the line, but a wind shift could hand the advantage to Armel. That would be risky.
but isn't Armel too far ahead for Alexs position to have any effect at the moment and there speeds seem to be pretty equal?

I'm suspecting that Armel will hold course until he's past the wayline, tack, pass clear in front of Alex and finish

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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They are almost at Lands End!

Armel needs to tack soon or risk coming against the Traffic Separation Schemes.

Alex appears to be in slightly stronger wind, and is closer to the easterlies (Armel seems to be in south-easterly wind).

Stay awake Alex and sail fast!!






Chris Stott

13,191 posts

196 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Although he'll have to tack before the winds shifts fully, Armel will get the benefit 1st.

Once he tacks, Alex will also be on port to the finish - so no foil assistance.

Can't see a way Alex will catch him... if anything, I think Armel will pull away a bit.

Still, amazingly close racing after 75 days at sea!

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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The advantage lies with Armel now for sure.

The reach to the line will be along the coastline - I wonder if they are dusting off tidal charts, or whether there are any tidal 'gates' that could make a difference?

I note that Armel is from Brittany - maybe local knowledge will play a part.


Chris Stott

13,191 posts

196 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Not sure what they are like round that part of the French coast, but further North, the tides can be crazy strong.


Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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If they go too far inshore there might be a risk of having to kedge if the tide is against... not that common in a round the world race I would imagine!


Phud

1,262 posts

142 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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It is a very tight race, the website has a good map, which is how I have been following it

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/

Ayahuasca

27,427 posts

278 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Armel has tacked!

But going very slowly

Marcellus

7,111 posts

218 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Ayahuasca said:
Armel has tacked!

But going very slowly
Alex isn't going much faster!, in fact he's going slower and still on starboard!

micky metro

304 posts

185 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Both on port tacks now and armel is pulling away doing 13 knots to alex,s 7 knots, 57 miles ahead now, alex conceded this afternoon there was not much chance of overhauling armel now, with the starboard foil gone he will be always slower on this tack.