Vendéeglobe: the Formula 1 of the sea

[Blaze]

I understood that the cracks were "just" in the decking. But the inevitable flexion of the hull could make the cracks spread. Difficult to judge from a distance, we only now what is publicised. He could have problems going downwind with the gennaker ...
Yes, a good steady tailwind will be far more comfortable for Le Cam than tacking.

[Polarengineer]

Interesting posts and so for an engine sailor, I was curious as to the difference between a spinnaker (which I had heard of) and a gennaker ( which was new to me). I quote from Bavarian Yachts.

The spinnaker has a symmetrical design. The spinnaker halyard at the head of the sail, the afterhaul upwind on the spinnaker pole, and the sheet downwind on the clew.

A gennaker is cut asymmetrically. The neck on the luff is firmly attached to the bow, or better yet, to the bowsprit, the two sheets to the clew, and clearly the halyard to the head. Due to its asymmetrical design, you can sail higher upwind with gennaker than with a spinnaker, although the sail area is almost the same. However, also not as low downwind as with a spinnaker. The gennaker is perfect for long space courses with a wind angle in medium winds between 90 and 140 degrees. If the wind freshens up, you can drop down to a wind angle of 165 degrees with a gennaker.

By the way, with a recovery hose, setting and recovering a gennaker is very easy and safe for any cruising sailor and professional with a small crew.

Err…..So now I know, I think, or I don’t have a clew.

[Biloute]

This is what ChatGPT says:

We understand that in solo racing it is easier to handle especially with winds from different directions.

[Blaze]

A gennaker is a sort of advance or progression of a genoa (similar shape though not attached to the forestay) and more versatile than a jib. It's somewhere between a genoa and a spinnaker (hence the name). You can sail closer into wind and it works well down wind or on a reach. It makes for fewer sail changes which can be time consuming and very hard work.
As I've mentioned earlier, these races enable yacht designers to try out different materials, shapes, etc in all sea and weather conditions.

[Blaze]

@Biloute Louis Burton has also found cracks in the hull but has managed to repair them ....
The problem with these boats is that they are built for lightness and speed rather than for strength. The lighter the hull, the more they will flex in heavier weather ....

[Biloute]

@Blaze: Louis still has about 65 days of sailing keeping his fingers crossed and shivering in his boots: it's not going to be easy to maneuver the strings ! Good luck to him !

[Blaze]

@Biloute I've just seen that Louis Burton has abandoned. It seems his boat has suffered serious damage.
Apparently the boats are going through some very nasty conditions around the Cape of Good Hope and southern ocean.
I hope that Violette Dorange has no mishaps - at 23 she's very courageous - some say she's another Florence Arthaud !
It's a shame, the two abandons are both from Saint Malo ....

[Biloute]

@Blaze: Yes, in the Indian Ocean, there is a huge whirlpool. The first two are trying to cross it with 30/35 kts crosswinds: they must be shaken hard with high waves coming from the side. Apparently, the others preferred to go around to the north. Too bad for the 2 skippers and for St Malo!

[Biloute]

British sailor Pip Hare lost her mast on Sunday evening 1,300 km south of Australia but fortunately she was not injured.
https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/voile/ve ... s-20241216

[Biloute]

The skippers leading the race will soon pass near Point Nemo. This is the point in the oceans furthest from any landmass. The nearest land is 2,700 km away ! This place is also known as the graveyard of redundant astronautical objects whose trajectory can still be controlled. There are between 200 and 300 objects there, including the Russian and Chinese space stations that will be joined by the international space station in 2031. Diving enthusiasts: a place to visit ?