The GGR race, discussion and news

[ullar]

Originally Posted by GILow

They just phone them on the sat-phones. Easy.

Yeah... Excactly like 50 years ago.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by DumnMad

Well, I think its great if they are plotting their course by sextant but the spirit of the race is not determined by such details.
In my mind non-stop solo around the world in a small boat through all sorts of weather including demoralising calms and stuff that will happily dismast you is the big deal.
These guys are all amazing and I will be really interested in all their reports.

Exactly.

Plus the culture shock of being removed from our technological world of today and sailing solo RTW has to be much tougher now than in 1968.

Back in the 60's we had no cell phones, internet, 100 channels on the TV, satellite radios in cars, 24 hour news and movie channels, etc

It was a much quieter time back then so the transition to solo sailing wasn't that big of a change from say living out in the country

[GILow]

I dunno, I feel just fine about the way they've implemented the technical restrictions in the race rules.

I admit that I feel like getting coordinates via the tracker data, relayed by HF does not feel sportsmanlike to me, and I have some niggling concerns that some of the HF data being conveyed is as close to weather routing as makes little difference.

But otherwise, the inclusion of the modern technology for safety enhancement is just plain common sense, whatever the motive.

These guys are out there, sailing around the world in very small boats, using predominantly period accurate technology. If find comparisons with the various other similar races misses the point really. Sure, a competitor in the other race came to the aid of a GGR racer who was low on water, but the other boat, as far as I can tell, was half as big again and practically unrestricted in what it could carry in the way of water makers and the like.

Looking forward to greeting Captain Coconut when he arrives here in two or three days time, though how I am to do that in a boat with no winches, and half the decks missing, is going to be... interesting. I hope it will not be raining.

[El Pinguino]

I don't care what gear they have or what information they have access to.... just don't try and sell it as something it is not.....

An aside ... There was another yacht rounded the Horn the day before Mark Slats.... currently NE of the Falklands... maybe one of the Longue Route boats...

Another aside... single handing in high latitudes and living in the country? Different as chalk and cheese in any decade....

[picklesandjesse]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Another aside... single handing in high latitudes and living in the country? Different as chalk and cheese in any decade....

Totally agree. Single handing at any latitude is nothing like living in the country. Maybe lack of shops and dark nights etc but not the same.

[Jim Cate]

When one has no offshore experience it is easy to undervalue the rigors of such sailing, especially when high latitudes are involved. I think this factor can explain many such posts as thomms recent one.

Jim

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by picklesandjesse

Totally agree. Single handing at any latitude is nothing like living in the country. Maybe lack of shops and dark nights etc but not the same.

The point was that in the 60's sailing singlehanded or living in the country you were totally alone with little stimulation from outside sources such as the internet, 100 channel TV, 24 hour news or movie channels, cell phones, GPS and A/C on your tractor, etc

The change is a shock to your brain with so little stimulation...…..especially at first for these sailors to be suddenly and almost totally cut off from that.

[GILow]

Cross the fingers. Should be able to greet Captain Coconut tomorrow night. The weather forecast is for very light winds, so the lack of deck and winches should not present a problem.

[boatman61]

To my mind the 'Rules' were stupid to begin with regarding the navigation side..
Fair enough limit boats to the type and size used in the 60's.. however they were using the equipment/means available at the time.. the same should have applied to this race.. Basic current Navigation gear like hh gps and paper charts.. emphasis on Basic.
This would have met the spirit of the race which is in itself a test of preparation, seamanship and endurance.
Just have to look at the Jester Challenge to see what I mean.. a race in the spirit of the 60's without all the BS the organiser/s chucked in for window dressing.
As for changing rules halfway through.. DH does as DH is.

[GILow]

Well... boatie may have a point about the need for modern navigation gear. Coconut spent the night heading in the wrong direction.



I’m guessing we won’t see him till very late tonight.

[JPA Cate]

That sort of looks like hove to, to fix something, or to rest.

Ann

[GILow]

Probably pumping water for a cup of tea.

Nah, no wind last night. Sailing boats hey?

[El Pinguino]

Probly got a fright when he saw land.....

[GILow]

Very bad news. Suzie has activated her EPIRB.

[GILow]

This has taken the shine off seeing Mark this evening. Ironically I posted on FB saying “safe and sound”.