Speaking of Volvo Racing....

shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,994
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Is anyone following leg 3. So far it's a real snoozer tactically. I guess Mapfre learnt their lesson last leg and is sticking to the fleet like snow on Minnesota. I guess they're doing some good drag racing but it's not entertaining ME much. The big tactical decision was whether to go closer to shore along the India coast or stay out in the wind and away from the flotsam. Guess which the leading boats did? The following boats are afraid to do anything different. They should all have their AIS's revoked.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Indeed. In OD boats in benign conditions, the safe strategy is to stay with the pack and make a move near the very end. Rolling the dice now usually ends up with you getting spat out the back, and spending the next 3 weeks getting angry at your shipmates.

In tough conditions you can create separation by taking risks and sailing harder. No dice here. Its one of the reasons the VOR sailors HATE these to Indian ocean legs.
 
jdhohmann

jdhohmann

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Mar 11, 2009
208
Hunter 40 Saint John
Wow, You guys are pretty cynical of the VOR SAilors. Remember, this is a ' Around the world race', every hours has different conditions. To make choices that put you out alone is a desperate one, Look what happened to Vestas. They might have been out there by themselves, thankfully, they stayed together and there was somebody there to help, should it need be...
Its easy to criticise, when your not the one on the boat, for good reason.....
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

.
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
jdhohmann said:
Wow, You guys are pretty cynical of the VOR SAilors. Remember, this is a ' Around the world race', every hours has different conditions. To make choices that put you out alone is a desperate one, Look what happened to Vestas. They might have been out there by themselves, thankfully, they stayed together and there was somebody there to help, should it need be...
Its easy to criticise, when your not the one on the boat, for good reason.....
Click to expand
What are you talking about?

Not sure anyone said anything critical about the sailors. After decades of staying south after Cape Town, there is widespread dissatisfaction (among the VOR sailors and long-time fans) about the route going north into the Indian ocean. None of them like it, and most figure it takes just stupid luck to not catch a line or net (costing you hours) this leg. The CEO of the VOR defended the choice only by saying it was done for economic reasons. AKA Abu Dhabi and Sanya/Dongfeng.

But don't take my word for it. Watch Team Brunel skipper Bouwe Bekking describe it with typical Dutch candor.

 
shemandr

shemandr

.
Jan 1, 2006
7,994
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I hadn't seen that. It's really pretty funny. More entertaining than the race itself. Which was my only point. As entertainment this leg has been pretty bad. Entertainment is why I'm following this. Otherwise I'm just having another winter afternoon in my armchair with a heating pad on my aching back and wishing it was more warm. The next best way I can derive entertainment from this leg is to start a fight about it on this forum.
 
shemandr

shemandr

.
Jan 1, 2006
7,994
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
They had to use their anchors. This am's watch log on the Volvo website said that two of the competitors had to anchor in the Straits of Malacca due to the lack of wind and adverse current. I wanted tactics but ....?
What ground tackle do they carry ... to anchor in 60 meters?
 
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