Initially I thought I would post this in the ongoing thread “Glad I’m not a passenger” but, “passenger” in those crafts is an alien concept.
For those that never heard before, “Vendée Globe” is a race held once every four years with yachts in solo mode, expected to complete a navigation around the globe.
Having started November 8th from Sables d’Olone (France), leaving Capes Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn on their port side after navigating non-stop approximately 24.400 sea miles in (expected) 74 days, they should return to the departure port.
You can read here the most basic or peek the tracking (updated every 3 hours), here
To gain some understanding of what they are doing, make sure you click on the icon like “~~” on the right, that enables a wind distribution graphic.
Traditional designs are still racing but more and more “foilers” are participating. What a foiler is
How hard is that? Some relevant points:
Only the skipper is allowed on board.
Repairs if done, by the skipper alone with whatever tools/materials there are on board. Cannot go ashore for that.
Meteorological routeing support from shore, is not allowed.
Comfort? Ask them. I doubt there is much of that on board.
Noise plus vibration / slamming (hammering) quite posible for long periods, depending of sea conditions / speed and course.
You can go the hard way but the chances of massive damage / loosing a mast are always present. Ask Alex Thomson (UK), few days ago.
Oh yes, sometimes they can sleep.
For those that never heard before, “Vendée Globe” is a race held once every four years with yachts in solo mode, expected to complete a navigation around the globe.
Having started November 8th from Sables d’Olone (France), leaving Capes Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn on their port side after navigating non-stop approximately 24.400 sea miles in (expected) 74 days, they should return to the departure port.
You can read here the most basic or peek the tracking (updated every 3 hours), here
To gain some understanding of what they are doing, make sure you click on the icon like “~~” on the right, that enables a wind distribution graphic.
Traditional designs are still racing but more and more “foilers” are participating. What a foiler is
How hard is that? Some relevant points:
Only the skipper is allowed on board.
Repairs if done, by the skipper alone with whatever tools/materials there are on board. Cannot go ashore for that.
Meteorological routeing support from shore, is not allowed.
Comfort? Ask them. I doubt there is much of that on board.
Noise plus vibration / slamming (hammering) quite posible for long periods, depending of sea conditions / speed and course.
You can go the hard way but the chances of massive damage / loosing a mast are always present. Ask Alex Thomson (UK), few days ago.
Oh yes, sometimes they can sleep.
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