Handling a gale

[psk125]

These videos from boats at the start of the 14000 mile Brest Atlantiques double handed race in 40 knot winds shows what well-handled modern boats can do, despite less than benign conditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwLe50HJPa4

Reefed, they are hitting speeds between 20 and 30 knots. The race goes from Brest to Rio, then Capetown, then back to Brest, nonstop. They expect to go faster when conditions improve and they unfurl jibs and shake out reefs.

[psk125]

Three days out and the leaders are maintaining 30 knots. They’re now off the Canary Islands. These are not delicate America’s Cup boats. Weather has improved:https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=Tbh1XpFKbL4

[Sos]

How on earth do they sleep with all that noise?

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by Sos

How on earth do they sleep with all that noise?

Ear plugs and/or noise cancelling head phones. And being really tired - you get used to anything after a while.

[psk125]

Day 6, Gitana is 60 miles from the trades on southern side of the doldrums. A few more hours, he says, and the SE trades will get them moving again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ture=emb_title

Looking ahead, the routers are concerned about the ice that’s likely between Rio and Capetown.

[psk125]

They’re back. First boat has finished 14,000 mile double-handed race in less than a month. Others expected later this week.
https://www.brestatlantiques.com They seem to know what they’re doing out there.