2017/2018 Volvo Ocean Race
- Thread starter cb32863
- Start date
The real question is wither they (Mapfre) were going to split. Its probably the last best big chance that have to gain leverage... tack with them and the'll probably lose the drag-race home with 20nm to make up. But the others probably tacked as well, which forced their hand. At some points its better to secure at least 2nd and not roll the dice.
But I can guarantee that they were happy to see the whole fleet tack with them. SiFi is genius.
So, fully admitting to not being the world's greatest tactician, why would Vestas have tacked first? If the fleet hadn't followed wouldn't they be at risk of losing out from the split? Why not stay between the fleet and the finish line until someone else tacked first?
100% correct. I'm sure they wished someone would have. But they got to a certain point... and Charlie and SiFi had to make the call to go first, and hope the others followed and didn't split.
I've become pretty disenchanted with the politics that surround racing these days. That is the main reason why I choose not to race in sanctioned events anymore. You may still find me on a mark boat from time to time, but I don't even want to be on most signal boats anymore. I will not be a P.R.O. I still love the sport. I just have no appetite for the politics.
JD You must not have been following the race very closely. The tacked because the center of rotation went past them, and they were being headed. They tacked when the opposite tack would take them to the finish. They were the first because they were headed first. They sailed at close hauled in a persistent lift for maybe an hour before they hit the lay line and start cracking off to a reach.
Well that was a heck of a first day for leg 2;
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/video/10275_Watch-Scallywag-wipe-out-in-the-Atlantic.html
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/news/10274_Fast-and-frightening-first-night-at-sea.html
In Port Race was pretty dang awesome;
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/vi...irpuri-Foundation-In-Port-Race-in-Lisbon.html
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/video/10275_Watch-Scallywag-wipe-out-in-the-Atlantic.html
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/news/10274_Fast-and-frightening-first-night-at-sea.html
In Port Race was pretty dang awesome;
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/vi...irpuri-Foundation-In-Port-Race-in-Lisbon.html
I note this AM that Dong Feng has been passed by Team Brunel (TBru) and leads by about 1.5 miles. When I looked yesterday it was a drag race (the whole thing is really) with a lot of talk about how hard it is to pass given the even speed of the boats and quality sailors. So does anyone know if something happened? Blown sail change?
DFRT passed Mapfre as well?
*edit: Looks like Brunel is a bit further east, which gives them the lead based on the angle to finish line. Still a drag race of sorts, and no appreciable speed differences and the top 5 teams within 15nm of each other, with 3100nm to go.
*edit: Looks like Brunel is a bit further east, which gives them the lead based on the angle to finish line. Still a drag race of sorts, and no appreciable speed differences and the top 5 teams within 15nm of each other, with 3100nm to go.
Scallywags's headsail is old news and happened in leg 1. The halyard swivel pin popped out and was quickly repaired.
So for leg two, Mapfre, DongFeng and Vestus. So Mapfre has a first and second. DongFeng a third and second. And Vests and first and third. I don't know about the weighting system and there isn't much on the website about it. Maybe in the daily updates but I usually can't find the time to watch them - considering 80% of the broadcast is fluff. Anyway, those three boats are making it interesting. I think Mapfre went most west off of SA. I then lost touch due to a health problem in my family. Did the west position payoff? I note they won by about 4 hours so that was quite a lead considering most of the first two legs.
High- point scoring. With 7 boats, 7 points down to 1 for each place. 1 bonus point for the each leg win.
Leg 3 is underway. From the looks of the videos and the VMG's it looks like they are getting their brains bashed. If I ever dream of such a voyage those images pretty much cure it.
If anyone is still following this Mapfre has passed Dong Feng with around 1600 nm to go. They've sailed 5,000 miles in ten days, which makes an average of nearly 500 miles a day! The leaders are expected to finish on or near Christmas day. So, like 6500 miles in 17 days. Looks like the leaders will enjoy good breeze heading to the finish whereas the back of the fleet may run out of gas. Another example of why it's best to be in front. Bad things happen back there.
I'm interested. Thank you for your report.
Wish I had something intelligent to add. Sorry
, my first Volvo race. - Will (Dragonfly)