The IMOCA 60 Future Gets Clearer

Thanks for the info. Where were the non-foilers at the last mark? Are they losing or gaining upwind?

 

They basically held their own upwind. The old boats have a different (more complicated and larger capacity) water ballast system if I recall. Early after the mark rounding there was about 17 knots of wind and several old boats gained a few few miles. But the pack seemed to be even in 12 to 15 knots and the foilers might have a slight advantage under 12 knots.

 

The first interview of the winner Jérémie and Christopher, not yet translated in En :
https://www.defi-azimut.net/fr/actualites/news/-toutes-les-victoires-sont-bonnes-a-prendre-
Yes, the non foilers did great (5th and 6th) in front of some last generation foilers or last refit with foils. They build their brilliant rankings partly at the end of the second leg (the gybes to turn the mark) and also maintain the speed (Apicil) or increase a bit (Banque Pop) during the 3rd upwind leg, they eventually put Inititiatives Cœur /Sam Davis (7th) few minutes behind them.

11th Hour was less at ease upwind (Beam is only 5,4m so less power) and cannot maintain their 2nd, but brilliant race anyway and they forced Charal to hard sail during the 2 first reaching and downwind legs.

It is assessed that a complete foils system costs an extra 800 kg (inc. the hull reinforcements), putting the light weight at ~ 8000 kg instead of 7200 kg without. So the the foils should also compensate for that extra weight to be rewarding.

 

Very interesting, both of you. Thanks

 

Other comments of skippers from 2nd to 7th at the ranking :
https://www.defi-azimut.net/fr/actualites/news/les-mots-des-skippers-a-l-arrivee-1-
On his side, training of Alex Thomson with its new Hugo Boss ( too bad he don't join the Défi Azimuth, and idem for Apivia /Charlie Dalin also in training at Port La Forêt not far from Lorient) :

 

... and some news about Apivia / Charlie Dalin and Yan Elies who continue their handling of the machine, they did recently their 1000 NM of qualification for the Jacques Vabre :
Imoca APIVIA : une qualification et des sensations https://www.imoca.org/fr/news/news/imoca-apivia-une-qualification-et-des-sensations

 

Charal also won the Round Groix island,
Here are the videos of the media men on board during the 48 h race, you can like on one of them before 16:30 h.
Concours des mediamen Défi Azimut 2019 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyI2Te0YPIOpvGujnCwKfWUtYdujiZQbR

 

I'm curious about the difference in 'attitude' between the IMOCA 60 boats and the AC36 boats when flying. I'd be grateful for explanation both of the different ways the foils are working technically,
and the reasons why the foils are different. Does it come down to material properties, strength, in the foils, and scaling factor, or something else.
Thanks.

 

IMOCA Open 60's don't have rudder foils and thus can't foil in the same way as a boat intended to have it's hull clear of the water.

 

Well said, WF! The debate about allowing rudder lifting foils continues and is the only impediment to these boats being full flying foilers. The rule will be changed one day.......

 

Hugo Boss, a guided tour by the Boss himself :

 

I wish him luck!

 

thanks both. is it possible to summarise the arguments both ways - for and against rudder foils?

 

Michel Desjoyeaux also advocates for rudder foils in this interview «The new IMOCA are like stools that lack a foot .... » prevented a more natural full flying mode , and he also mentions another inconvenient : the slamming occurrence at high speed on the half rear of the hull bottom, which is flat (quite no rocker there) and not reinforced as it should be now like for the bow zone « What is obvious (and the structural problems of Initiatives Coeur during the Route du Rhum demonstrate this) is that there is more and more effort on the rear part of the hull: before, a monohull slammed on the bow; today, it is at the level of the keel, or behind ! »
https://voilesetvoiliers.ouest-fran...-un-pied-5b59ac98-d95a-11e9-b412-badb54ee5c05

 

From Pressure Drop: Pressure Drop - IMOCA Sending 60 Sailors To Transat Jacques Vabre http://www.pressure-drop.us/forums/content.php?9534-IMOCA-Sending-60-Sailors-To-Transat-Jacques-Vabre