Riddle: What's 32,700 nautical miles long, requires survival suits, freeze dried food, and often involves dodging icebergs? The Volvo Ocean Race (VOR). Are we having fun yet? The current race is nearing its conclusion. These spectacular boats, carrying relatively small crews, huge inventories of sails, and hitting speeds that most sailors find astounding, will have gone around the world in pretty trying conditions. The Volvo Race is, to some, the epitome of sailboat racing. To others, it hardly gets any notice. Yet the race impacts all sailors in some ways. Boat hull and keel designs, sail materials and shapes, carbon fiber and other composites, and hosts of other leading edge technology gets tested during the race. Many of these products eventually find their way into our local chandelries and onto our very own boats. How important are these races to you, and to the sport of sailboat racing? Do you keep track of the Volvo on your computer, in the sailing rags, or some other way? Or are these races only for the high-tech racing community? Tell us about how you regard the Volvo Ocean Race and then take the quick quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic, quiz and and photo by Warren Milberg)
- Status
I find these boats to be irrelevant to
the sailing needs of cruising sailors. They are fun to watch, amazing in their speed and completely impractical. They are far too costly, very high maintenance and not very durable. I don't see anything about them that will ever be applied to the improvement of the cruising sailboat.
the sailing needs of cruising sailors. They are fun to watch, amazing in their speed and completely impractical. They are far too costly, very high maintenance and not very durable. I don't see anything about them that will ever be applied to the improvement of the cruising sailboat.
I ran into them this week in NY
I enjoy following the race - too bad there is very little TV coverage of the race (if any) - it would make for a great Discover Channel documentary. Anyway - the other day during my daily commute for work into NYC I was reading about coverage of the race in the Wall Street Journal (of all papers to cover it!) - they had a tough leg up to NY from Baltimore with 50 knot winds. Later that day, I snuck out of work to pick up some spring commission items at West Marine (there is one in mid-town Manhattan). Next to me on line is a wind/sun-burn guy that looked all beaten up. I recognized his jacket’s logo as one of the yachts racing – ABN AMRO. He was picking up some needed supplies for repairs….we chatted for a while. Anyway – I gave him my newspaper to take back to the boat and wished him well! They are remarkable Yachts and highly recommend checking them out in-person if you ever get the chance
I enjoy following the race - too bad there is very little TV coverage of the race (if any) - it would make for a great Discover Channel documentary. Anyway - the other day during my daily commute for work into NYC I was reading about coverage of the race in the Wall Street Journal (of all papers to cover it!) - they had a tough leg up to NY from Baltimore with 50 knot winds. Later that day, I snuck out of work to pick up some spring commission items at West Marine (there is one in mid-town Manhattan). Next to me on line is a wind/sun-burn guy that looked all beaten up. I recognized his jacket’s logo as one of the yachts racing – ABN AMRO. He was picking up some needed supplies for repairs….we chatted for a while. Anyway – I gave him my newspaper to take back to the boat and wished him well! They are remarkable Yachts and highly recommend checking them out in-person if you ever get the chance
Volvo - YoYo
Naw Mr. Ross, have to disagree here. There was a time when they were going to close the patent office, thinking there was nothing new under the sun, and nothing more could possibly be invented...in the late 19th century. Science, and the general public got tang, and filtered urine from the space program...;-) many, many good 'spin-offs' came from the space program, including solar panels. Been following the Volvo, and I had some beers with a Whitebread crew while in NewZealand, these are serious people on the cutting edge. Climbing Everst, then again (Rhienhold Meissner) without oxygen, walking cross antartica, the X-15 (Chuck Yeager, he's in Grass Valley now), Sailing round the world non-stop; these all are a vision and enlightenment to mankind.
Naw Mr. Ross, have to disagree here. There was a time when they were going to close the patent office, thinking there was nothing new under the sun, and nothing more could possibly be invented...in the late 19th century. Science, and the general public got tang, and filtered urine from the space program...;-) many, many good 'spin-offs' came from the space program, including solar panels. Been following the Volvo, and I had some beers with a Whitebread crew while in NewZealand, these are serious people on the cutting edge. Climbing Everst, then again (Rhienhold Meissner) without oxygen, walking cross antartica, the X-15 (Chuck Yeager, he's in Grass Valley now), Sailing round the world non-stop; these all are a vision and enlightenment to mankind.
Pretty fast motorsailers ... 
The VO70's and other canting keel yachts are proving technology that will apply to short handed motorsailers everywhere. There is no argument that moving ballast and powered winches (super maxi's) could make for faster safer passages with smaller crews. All you have to accept is that is ok to run your engine to power systems that make the boat faster. In most races running your engine to get around the course faster is called cheating. Yes, I know that Rule 86.1 allows Rules 51 (Movable Ballast) and Rule 52 (Manual Power) to be altered. I just don't like it. The boats are using power to go faster, that makes them motorsailers.
The VO70's and other canting keel yachts are proving technology that will apply to short handed motorsailers everywhere. There is no argument that moving ballast and powered winches (super maxi's) could make for faster safer passages with smaller crews. All you have to accept is that is ok to run your engine to power systems that make the boat faster. In most races running your engine to get around the course faster is called cheating.
Yes, I know that Rule 86.1 allows Rules 51 (Movable Ballast) and Rule 52 (Manual Power) to be altered. I just don't like it. The boats are using power to go faster, that makes them motorsailers.Inspiration
Last year, I drove through the night to go down to Falmouth UK to see Ellen MacArthur arrive after her record breaking solo round the world attempt. She and that boat are absolutely awesome. The mast is 100 feet and could be seen over the hills before the baot could be. That is more than three times my 26M mast. She would go up that mast in weather I won't even sail in, in the middle of an ocean with absolutely no hope of a rescue if anything goes wrong. Whenever things get tough, I always think of her, and suddenly it is easier. PS - re answer to this weeks question on knotmeter - I used to write the software for auto systems some years ago with the early prototype digital displays. You can see the techniques today with any digital display that shows a changing signal. Damping is simple filtering, but you can get systems that use adaptive filtering and look at the rate of change to predict the display. This takes less time then to settle to an accurate reading when there are sudden changes in speed. For boats, the sheer inertia limits the rate of change, and so simple filtering is all that is necessary. It is always worth remembering that any digital display will always have an inaccuracy of plus or minus the least significant digit e.g. if the speed is shown as 4.5 it could be anywhere between 4.4 and 4.6
Last year, I drove through the night to go down to Falmouth UK to see Ellen MacArthur arrive after her record breaking solo round the world attempt. She and that boat are absolutely awesome. The mast is 100 feet and could be seen over the hills before the baot could be. That is more than three times my 26M mast. She would go up that mast in weather I won't even sail in, in the middle of an ocean with absolutely no hope of a rescue if anything goes wrong. Whenever things get tough, I always think of her, and suddenly it is easier. PS - re answer to this weeks question on knotmeter - I used to write the software for auto systems some years ago with the early prototype digital displays. You can see the techniques today with any digital display that shows a changing signal. Damping is simple filtering, but you can get systems that use adaptive filtering and look at the rate of change to predict the display. This takes less time then to settle to an accurate reading when there are sudden changes in speed. For boats, the sheer inertia limits the rate of change, and so simple filtering is all that is necessary. It is always worth remembering that any digital display will always have an inaccuracy of plus or minus the least significant digit e.g. if the speed is shown as 4.5 it could be anywhere between 4.4 and 4.6
"Into This Air"
Anyone thinking climbers are whoosies know little about climbing. I started rock-climbing as a lad, which is very simple and safe. Mountaineering, Patagonia, Hymalayas, McKinley (Denali) et al is to rock-climbing as Hannibals elephants are to Mickey-Mouse; a very dangerous sport. In Jon Krakauers book "Into Thin Air" a 100mph storm occured, as they oft do, on Everest and many of that expedition were killed. high-altitued climbers have many dangers that us sailors do not, along with hypothermia, there are: freezing to death, rock-fall, avalanche, crevasses, falling, pulmenary edema, and other altitude sicknesses they are becoming aware of. While sail-racing is a tough sport, we still have EPIRBS, helicoters, weather fax, and can go below to make tea.These folks when caught high on the mountain in storm conditions...CANNOT BE RESCUED!
Anyone thinking climbers are whoosies know little about climbing. I started rock-climbing as a lad, which is very simple and safe. Mountaineering, Patagonia, Hymalayas, McKinley (Denali) et al is to rock-climbing as Hannibals elephants are to Mickey-Mouse; a very dangerous sport. In Jon Krakauers book "Into Thin Air" a 100mph storm occured, as they oft do, on Everest and many of that expedition were killed. high-altitued climbers have many dangers that us sailors do not, along with hypothermia, there are: freezing to death, rock-fall, avalanche, crevasses, falling, pulmenary edema, and other altitude sicknesses they are becoming aware of. While sail-racing is a tough sport, we still have EPIRBS, helicoters, weather fax, and can go below to make tea.These folks when caught high on the mountain in storm conditions...CANNOT BE RESCUED!
What it takes
" we have been going 30 knots for 15 days, we can't eat, can't sleep, can't go to the bathroom. I am having the time of my life" Crew from VO70 Racing VO70's is as far from a day sail, or cruising experience as NASCAR is from a trip to 7/11 for milk. I watch for the same reason I enjoy other forms of racing. I get to see the results of the best talent money can buy driving the best machines that money can buy. Finding new limits, developing new science, striving to excell. Who gives a crap about a rule change, or how much faster an Indy car can go than a Winston Cup Car. If we had given up on rockets the minute a jet was invented, we would never have put a man on the moon. Stop trying to make apples oranges. Enjoy the spectacle. Admire the challengers.
" we have been going 30 knots for 15 days, we can't eat, can't sleep, can't go to the bathroom. I am having the time of my life" Crew from VO70 Racing VO70's is as far from a day sail, or cruising experience as NASCAR is from a trip to 7/11 for milk. I watch for the same reason I enjoy other forms of racing. I get to see the results of the best talent money can buy driving the best machines that money can buy. Finding new limits, developing new science, striving to excell. Who gives a crap about a rule change, or how much faster an Indy car can go than a Winston Cup Car. If we had given up on rockets the minute a jet was invented, we would never have put a man on the moon. Stop trying to make apples oranges. Enjoy the spectacle. Admire the challengers.
Black Pearl PRipping
Any one who says power boats are more exhilarating sailing haven't seen this: http://media.putfile.com/The-Black-Pearl-Ripping I was told it was taken near "The Heads" into Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Australia
Any one who says power boats are more exhilarating sailing haven't seen this: http://media.putfile.com/The-Black-Pearl-Ripping I was told it was taken near "The Heads" into Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Australia
Cool
I find all of the around the world races fascinating. They combine two of my favorite things: boats and adventure. That being said, I don't follow the races closely as they occur. As exciting as it is to see footage of a sailboat going thirty knots, it gets very old very fast. I find the books, articles and videos that tell the whole story after the fact to be much more compelling. Great escapism for us daysailers who never venture beyond known waters.
I find all of the around the world races fascinating. They combine two of my favorite things: boats and adventure. That being said, I don't follow the races closely as they occur. As exciting as it is to see footage of a sailboat going thirty knots, it gets very old very fast. I find the books, articles and videos that tell the whole story after the fact to be much more compelling. Great escapism for us daysailers who never venture beyond known waters.
For Jim and Grum
Jim: You took some great shots! I took a few when the race re-started off Annapolis. If interested, I'll send them to you. Grum: The Black Pearl video is awesome. Looks like you could water ski behind that boat! Thanks for posting.
Jim: You took some great shots! I took a few when the race re-started off Annapolis. If interested, I'll send them to you. Grum: The Black Pearl video is awesome. Looks like you could water ski behind that boat! Thanks for posting.
Wow
After watching the Grum's video I CANNOT honestly claim the honor of being a true sailing hero, despite the fact, last weekend I waxed my boat and worked on the head. 8^) The same people who dispite the technological advances of these boats would have been the same people who discounted the "radical" fiberglass boats in the 50's and 60's. Whilst I will never have the means to participant in such events, I will put away my class envy and enjoy the spectacle.
After watching the Grum's video I CANNOT honestly claim the honor of being a true sailing hero, despite the fact, last weekend I waxed my boat and worked on the head. 8^) The same people who dispite the technological advances of these boats would have been the same people who discounted the "radical" fiberglass boats in the 50's and 60's. Whilst I will never have the means to participant in such events, I will put away my class envy and enjoy the spectacle.
Better than car racing
It is more interesting than watching a car drive in a circle. Using up natural resources.
It is more interesting than watching a car drive in a circle. Using up natural resources.
Terrible to read this
Very sad to read this. A cautionary tale for the rest of us - this was one of the best sailors in the world, swept off the foredeck while running downwind. Due to wind and waves, in spite of a GPS fix the minute he went over, it took some of the other best sailors in the world forty minutes to get him back on board. Wear your harness. Check your jack lines.
Very sad to read this. A cautionary tale for the rest of us - this was one of the best sailors in the world, swept off the foredeck while running downwind. Due to wind and waves, in spite of a GPS fix the minute he went over, it took some of the other best sailors in the world forty minutes to get him back on board. Wear your harness. Check your jack lines.
Wear
David wrote "Wear your harness. Check your jack lines." I once lost my strongest most athletic crew overboard - tied to a mooring in a harbor. Anyone can go over anytime. Anytime it is tough out there - I agree. Anyone can go over anytime. The PFD is needed as well.
David wrote "Wear your harness. Check your jack lines." I once lost my strongest most athletic crew overboard - tied to a mooring in a harbor. Anyone can go over anytime. Anytime it is tough out there - I agree. Anyone can go over anytime. The PFD is needed as well.
movistar has abandon ship
Sun, 21 May 2006 14:05:00 UTC Following a night of fighting their keel problems after the aft end of their keel pivot bearing broke away from the hull, Bouwe Bekking and his crew have abandoned their vessel and have safely transferred to ABN AMRO TWO which has been standing by since approximately 2200GMT last night.
Sun, 21 May 2006 14:05:00 UTC Following a night of fighting their keel problems after the aft end of their keel pivot bearing broke away from the hull, Bouwe Bekking and his crew have abandoned their vessel and have safely transferred to ABN AMRO TWO which has been standing by since approximately 2200GMT last night.
Final results
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending May 21, 2006: I think the Volvo, and other major ocean races, primarily: 33% Help develop new boating products 28% Are of little or no interest to me 25% Are exciting events I follow closely 14% Are only for avid race fans 721 owners responding
Final results for the Quick Quiz ending May 21, 2006: I think the Volvo, and other major ocean races, primarily: 33% Help develop new boating products 28% Are of little or no interest to me 25% Are exciting events I follow closely 14% Are only for avid race fans 721 owners responding
- Status