Vendee Globe - the Real Race

[mbianka]

I listened to the Alex Jones press conference. They asked him why he did not have his main up. He said he wanted to make sure he did not have an accidental jibe considering the conditions. Besides he was already having 400 mile days without using it. WOW!

[barnakiel]

Right now it looks like JPD might have less wind for rounding the cape and then if he stays on the inshore side of the route, he may be able to make it. But the conditions round the cape can be very tricky as we all know. It is not any cape after all, it is the end of the world.

I would love to see him get to Les Sables but I would twice as much like not to see him get into any trouble.

b.

[cwyckham]

Banque Populaire is up for sale! I wonder what the asking price is?

[DeepFrz]

I think you mean Alex Thomson.

[DeepFrz]

JPD is around the Cape and has anchored. He thinks the winds and sea will allow him to set sail tomorrow (Sunday) morning.

[mbianka]

Sounds like Mike Golding hit something and knocked a flange off the front of his keel and the keel bolts started to leak. Seems to have fixed it for now.

Saw a comment from one of the sailors who said he is sleeping in two hour shifts. Which does not sound too bad. But, with a boat going 20 knots yikes! Still it looks like a lot of fun to be sailing along at 20 knots especially on a nice day.

[DeepFrz]

Mike Golding's post, yesterday I think, said it was a nice day, one of the few he had experienced in the race.

[hwecken]

Jean-Pierre Dick left his mooring in Saint Cyprian this morning at 0720hrs setting off on his final 290 miles to Les Sables d’Olonne

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by hwecken

Jean-Pierre Dick left his mooring in Saint Cyprian this morning at 0720hrs setting off on his final 290 miles to Les Sables d’Olonne

Is he disqualified after using a mooring in the race?

[steamgoat]

Sounds like Tanguy is in trouble,just hit a UFO, broke a daggerboard which is now stuck and leaking and broke off a rudder !! He's pumping out to try and keep the electrics dry,not a good situation.
Also Benedetto just lost his last downwind sail.
Amazing race to follow with JP heading for home keel-less with 250miles to go.

[Snore]

While the accolades always go to the winners, often it is good fortune that separate them from Tanguy and Dick. If J-P Dick gets his boat across the finish line, he is my hero!

[Maxs]

ACCIONA 100% ECO POWERED IS nos 100% capsized... Too bad... Brand new boat... Farr is not looping any good in the open 60 design.. The VLPL/ Verdier era is not gong to be over for a while.....

[sabray]

At this rate there won't be much left of the fleet. Acciona has capsized and Sanso is In his raft waiting a lift.

[cwyckham]

What a day! Sanso in a liferaft, Tanguay taking on water, Allessandro loses his last downwind sail, J-P is back at sea and the jury is ok with his brief engine use while mooring, Golding and le Cam taking vastly different routes and no way to guess yet which will work.

I'm at the edge of my seat!

[DeepFrz]

They expect to pick up Tanguy in about an hour, 23:00 UTC. Another keel lost. I was hoping he would make it as he was doing such a great job for kids.

Edit: Add: There will be no penalty for JPD which is great to hear.

Oops, I meant Javier Sanso will be picked up.