The GGR race, discussion and news

[Bleemus]

Originally Posted by steamgoat

Istvan is stopping in Cape Verdes to replace his Windpilot,I wonder what he will choose? Monitor?
Nabil has retired to Canaries after,quote, ‘violently ill and no sleep for four days ‘
Surprising how many out already.

Istvan has a Monitor on the way.

[hpeer]

I think something similar happened in the first race, many dropped relatively soon.

Although one wonders, if they had 2,000 miles of single handing under their belts they would know themselves and their propensity to motion sickness better.

How were those 2,000 miles accumulated? Any minimum leg lengths? I mean, I’ve done 2,000 miles solo, but only one leg of any consequence, 700 miles.

[Jimroda06]

They have only just crossed the start line!!
SO will sort the men from the boys. (My money is on Jean Luc)
Pretty much same class of boat, 95% the skipper 5% the boat.
Best of luck to them all, and may they all return safely.

[Jimroda06]

2000 one go.
BOC 94/95 I did 7000 to Cape Town and back again, Then 3000 to Charleston,
Alan Nebaur Sydney to Charleston and Minoru Saito from Japan and he justs keep going!!!!!!!!!!

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Roniszoro

Which boat had the hydrovane that failed? I think I missed that. I'm wondering if it was I new one. (Of course why would one not use a new one on an around the world race.) They have such a sterling reputation. The Monitors "keep on trucking."

Recent video posted by GGR suggested the hydrovane had not failed but simply that the boat in question was not trimmed correctly for the vane to do its job.

[GILow]

Bit of a cross post here, but does anyone have a feel for when the fleet will reach Hobart?

[GILow]

Finally, I bumped into Mark Sinclair a couple of times during his preparations (we go to the same chandlery and both seemed to be doing as much work on our boats. In other words restoring a 42 foot heavy cruiser to fair condition is about as much work as preparing a 34 footer for a solo round the world race. )

Mark revealed his race strategy as “last man standing” and carries the book of the same title on board.

Based on the observations of the race so far I’d say his strategy is sound.

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by GILow

Recent video posted by GGR suggested the hydrovane had not failed but simply that the boat in question was not trimmed correctly for the vane to do its job.

Dear lord. That’s basic “wind vane 101”. Guess amid all the other preparations he did not have time to get to know it.

I think one great thing about this race is that sticking with old boats and old tech makes the financial bar for entry relatively low.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Jimroda06

2000 one go.
BOC 94/95 I did 7000 to Cape Town and back again, Then 3000 to Charleston,
Alan Nebaur Sydney to Charleston and Minoru Saito from Japan and he justs keep going!!!!!!!!!!

Not detracting from his superb efforts in that BOC race, but Alan only did the Sydney to Tahiti leg single handed for his qualifying distance. His wife Cindy joined him from Tahiti to Charleston... he was very late in setting out and was fighting the arrival deadline in Charleston. Barely made it, too, even with her help (and help she did!... read his entertaining book "Aginst All Odds").

Jim

[Snowpetrel]

Originally Posted by GILow

Bit of a cross post here, but does anyone have a feel for when the fleet will reach Hobart?

Its around 10500-11000nm by the time they go around the south atlantic high. I figure they will average around 800-1000 miles per week. That makes it around 3 months or so, the faster ones maybe a little earlier, and probably a very long tail of slower boats behind. So from mid October? That should get them to the horn with a reasonable margin over summer.

Looking forward to seeing them. I will do my best to get out on the water.

[GILow]

Would love to cheer Mark on as he sails past.

A fella can dream.

[TopHat]

Originally Posted by GILow

Mark revealed his race strategy as “last man standing” and carries the book of the same title on board.

Based on the observations of the race so far I’d say his strategy is sound.

Absolutely is a sound strategy, "Doing a Bradbury"....is now common in the Australian vernacular

Its very interesting watching the GGR livetracker, certainly well set up.
cheers

[Bleemus]

Originally Posted by GILow

Finally, I bumped into Mark Sinclair a couple of times during his preparations (we go to the same chandlery and both seemed to be doing as much work on our boats. In other words restoring a 42 foot heavy cruiser to fair condition is about as much work as preparing a 34 footer for a solo round the world race. )

Mark revealed his race strategy as “last man standing” and carries the book of the same title on board.

Based on the observations of the race so far I’d say his strategy is sound.

He needs to realize that Jean Luc and Slats and Peche are going for the win. He will be fourth if he doesn't push.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Bleemus

He needs to realize that Jean Luc and Slats and Peche are going for the win. He will be fourth if he doesn't push.

I think you rather missed the point.

Think about the words “last man standing” a little more.

Or if that is too subtle, go and watch the movie “lone survivor”. Spoiler, only one guy survives.

Now extrapolate that to the race.

Got it yet? :^)

[Jim Cate]

Yeah, quite a few men already not standing! It is a long and arduous race, and the hard liners may or may not survive to t he finish line.

On the other hand, there are some real supermen sailors competing these days!

Jim