Route du Rhum

Gabart is a little more than half the speed of The Boss or Idec- wonder if he's having trouble..

 

Here the new carto, if you click on Macif and Idec, they are at about the same speed during the last hour , ~ 14 to 15 Knots sailing upwind with 18-20 knots of Wind and probably 2,5 to 3,5 m waves : that looks normal.
Cartography | Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe https://www.routedurhum.com/en/cartography

 

Thanks!

 

Frank Cammas on the Ultimates: Route du Rhum. Franck Cammas, l’œil de l’expert https://www.letelegramme.fr/voile/route-du-rhum/route-du-rhum-franck-cammas-l-oeil-de-l-expert-06-11-2018-12126443.php

The capsizing caused by the breakage of the Banque Populaire float marked the spirits of the sailors in the race and also observers on the ground. One can well imagine the great disappointment of the whole team of Armel, welded behind his skipper and with whom he had meticulously prepared this race since the launching of the boat more than a year ago.

These sometimes spectacular breaks have always marked the history of ocean racing: a human adventure certainly but also perhaps above all technological! Through these major nautical events, architects, engineers, sailors and constructors are constantly pushing the boundaries of their knowledge through, among other things, more and more numerous and advanced simulations, ever more rigorous material testing and even more construction processes. developed.

But we realize, as in recent days, that the most effective learning remains and will remain in situ navigation, facing an ocean environment that will always surprise the engineer in front of his computer and its digital tools.

It is important not to judge these accidents comprehensively by drawing simplistic and often incoherent conclusions. It is so easy when one is far from the record to give lessons and find at all costs officials or only to affirm that these boats are fragile as if it became a fatality.

No ! Because the maturity of a new class of boats like the Ultimate also goes through these events difficult to digest. We must roll up our sleeves, understand step by step what has happened and advance the state of the art. Even if we are in a much more modest activity and without any measure, let us remember terrible accidents and loss of life in the space adventure. And yet, we ended up setting foot on the moon! So today we have to support the teams in these difficult times and help them to make the transition so that this great class continues to excite and excite us.

Franck Cammas

© Le Télégramme Route du Rhum. Franck Cammas, l’œil de l’expert https://www.letelegramme.fr/voile/route-du-rhum/route-du-rhum-franck-cammas-l-oeil-de-l-expert-06-11-2018-12126443.php#ZYIOxTcMvwiQucWu.99

 

Gitana and Sodebo damage:

Gitana image-Pressure Drop:


Sodebo damage -image by Pierre-Yves Berner:

 

Imoca also suffered : Fabrice Amedeo heads back to Brittany after a bow sprit damage, Yannick Bestaven is heading Cascais / Portugal for a pitstop to repair its mainsail track, Samantha Davies reports hull delamination and is turning back to Brest.
Two IMOCA skippers report damage | Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe https://www.routedurhum.com/en/news/547
https://www.routedurhum.com/en/news/553
Here the last carto, Class 40 leader Yoann Richomme at 15,7 knots during the last hour , on the North route in 30+ knots Wind and sea state 5m (from Ventusky map at 22h). Faster than Imoca Hugo Boss at 15,5 knots ! Imoca SMA the fastest at 17 knots, takes the 2nd place to PRB. Tenacity of Francis Joyon, maintaining its position at 40-50 NM behind Macif
Cartography | Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe https://www.routedurhum.com/en/cartography

 

Oh,man I hope Gabart makes it-the only boat left using the new foil system.......

 

Thanks Doug, great text from Frank Cammas, I share that Ultims are an exciting class at a right size regarding ocean conditions , and successful round the world of Idec, Sodebo and Macif already proved it. Here they have rough sea state in upwind to beam conditions, and speed over 40 knots means that slamming and/or material fatigue issues (number of cycles) may change of nature, of magnitude.

 

I just looked at the pictures again and I find the one of Gitana 17 profoundly sad............

 

From the Banque Populaire Newsletter:

ARMEL LE CLÉAC'H WAS RESCUED
Around 12.00 (French time), following the breakage of the arms of the Maxi Banque Populaire IX which caused his capsize, Armel Le Cléac'h triggered his distress beacon. A fishing vessel arrived in the area in the early evening and Armel was rescued around 21:30 (French time).
He is currently on board and is heading to Spain.
Team Banque Populaire is now studying all the solutions to recover the boat.
The whole team is reassured to know that Armel is safe.

 

Here you have skippers vacations inc Alex Thomson one today afternoon (in English of course) :
Skippers' Communications | Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe https://www.routedurhum.com/en/skippers-communications

 

Alex sounds real positive.....I hope he can stay in front.

 

Some serious attrition among the ultimes,but aren't the leaders showing amazing speed?Until Laylou Roucayrol sought shelter I thought he was doing outstandingly well in his Multi 50.I just have to wonder what kind of performances we will see in the next edition of the race after the things learned have been considered and taken to the next level.

 

Banque Pop at the 2018 RdR start(with Macif in the background)--Note main foil still immersed:



Gitana 17 at 2018 RdR start:



Macif at 2018 RdR start:

 

Ok, If I were Thomson right now, I'd notice that I happen to be about 200 miles directly upwind of my competition. But tomorrow, the wind will change and I won't be anymore. Wouldn't this be a good time to bear off, gain speed, and cover the competition a bit. I'd want to be in the same weather pattern as them for the rest of the race. He's going to get headed if he's not careful and a bit lucky. I mean when is there ever going to be a better situation to choose to cover your opponent than when upwind on a beam reach and expecting a header in the next 24 hours?