More heavy weather sailing

[tsmwebb]

A little OT for this forum but thought it might amuse some to watch the amazing race across the Atlantic between Groupama 3 and Banque Populaire V. They're both tied into a frontal system with gale force winds and both maintaining high 30 knot boat speeds and breaking 40 from time to time.

http://www.cammas-groupama.com/en/index.jsp
http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Maxi-Trimaran-Banque-Populaire-V/cartographie-c102.html

Fascinating stuff.

--Tom.

 

[MrBee]

Man that is wild. Not sure I could take a ride like that !!

 

[tsmwebb]

Both boats averaged nearly 38 knots of boat speed over the last 24 hours destroying the 24 hour record! Both are outrunning the low pressure system... BP is going a touch faster and is a little better situated for the expected drop in the winds so it's looking good for them if they can keep the boat intact...

--Tom.

 

[sailaway78]

Mixed feelings

I really have mixed feelings about this stuff. First it is fun to watch, and interesting too. Boat speeds approaching 40 knots. All of this high tech equipment, kevlar and carbon fiber and professional sailors. But it is so far out of the normal for the rest of us. Almost like comparing space travel to commercial airliners. There is just no way to compare what most of us do, with what these guys do. So, I will look with interest, but not going to make it one of my priorities.

 

[tsmwebb]

... But it is so far out of the normal for the rest of us. Almost like comparing space travel to commercial airliners. There is just no way to compare what most of us do, with what these guys do. So, I will look with interest, but not going to make it one of my priorities.

I mostly agree. But there may be more points in common than is immediately obvious in regards to sail handling, gear, weather routing and so on. BPV has lazy jacks an integrated sail bag (like a stack pack) is using sk 78 running rigging and halyard locks. For things like roller sails and lazy jacks there is an interesting interplay between the various fleets and development with distance racers picking stuff up from cruisers and then improving it and then cruisers picking up the improved systems... Some of the new stuff like sk 78 and halyard locks are likely just showing up in the cruising fleet and it's nice to have the big boys footing the R&D bills... Clothing technology is being tested and improved as well... Interestingly they are all using cuben sails because of their durability. There may a be lesson to us cruisers there, particularly those who might be thinking of picking up a 3DL sail because they do so well day racing... There's certainly a lot more trickle down from this stuff than from the America's Cup -- unless you're a lawyer that is...

--Tom.