December 2016 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 19. Vendee Globe Update Continued from Page 7.
lead by more than 80 miles and the top seven boats were gaining separation from the rest of the fl eet. As the racers looked ahead at the weather systems it did not look like it was not going to be easy to pick the right course. It was also announced that INTIA- TIVES COEUR (Tanguy de Lamotte) made the Cape Verde Islands to make repairs to his mast head. After inspecting the damage, carbon mast tube compromised, he headed back to France, but was not willing to retire. The damage would not let him set a full main and masthead headsails. Two days later (Day 11) HUGO BOSS
was the fi rst to cross the Equator with a time of 9 days, 7 hours, 2 minutes with La Cleac’h back almost three hours and Riou three hours and 22 minutes after Thomson. This set a new record from the start to the equator. Thomson said that there were sailing
conditions where the foils were not helpful. However so far they have assisted him in staying in the lead. He said, “I am just look- ing at the statistics. It is pretty amazing to be on a boat which in 16-17 knots of breeze I can average 22 knots.” A fast moving low off of Brazil was going to be a test for the foiling racers. Thompson was thinking the sailing angle would be about 125 degrees in about 25 knots of wind and depending on the sea state this was going to be a test to see what conditions the foils will work well in. He added that the more wind and increased waves the slower his boat is. Those behind the lead pack will fi nd it
hard to keep up as the weather was going to change slowing them down. On 18 November HUGO BOSS was the
fi rst to hit the low pressure system, which was northeast of Rio and his lead was now over 100 nautical miles over second place BANQUE POPULAIRE VIII (Armel Le Cléac’h). The speeds should now increase and it was wondered if the 24 hour record would be broken. This was set by François Gabart during the last Vendée Globe race with a distance of 534.48 nautical miles.
Designer Guillaume Verdier, who assisted in the design of 12 of the boats in the race said that HUGO BOSS was a riskier design. He added that the hull is not much diff erent from other foilers, but the size of the foils are bigger giving him more lift and that means more speed. He continued by saying that he needed to be careful in storms and get the foils up early. On 19 November the conditions were
perfect for the leaders and it was thought the 24 hour record might fall. It was learned that MACSF (Bertrand de Broc) was sailing towards the Fernando de Noronha to check on a noise that he is hearing under his hull when he exceeds 14 knots. The big news of the day was HUGO
BOSS suff ers damage to foil after hitting a submerged object and he was forced to slow his racer to access the problem. He did add an internal inspection showed no damage to the hull. Until that time he was on pace to set a new 24 hour record. Even if the foil is damaged the boat can sail without it, albeit not nearly as fast. Just after the news about HUGO BOSS
it was learned that Bertrand de Broc was retiring from the race. He had collided with something off of Portugal and after an inspection off Brazil found that his hull was damaged and he would be unable to contin- ue.
The following day (20 November)
HUGO BOSS’s lead was shrinking and was now 90 miles back to second. With his starboard foil damaged it was thought that Thomson would not be able to use the un- damaged foil, now just a stub, until he is off the Cape of Good Hope where he can switch tacks. Despite the damaged foil Thomson almost set a new 24 hour record, but fell short by just 259 metres. The next day (21 November) HUGO
BOSS was maintain an 85 miles lead over his two closest competitors, Armel Le Cléac’h and Sébastien Josse. On Day 16 sees the top seven boats sep-
arating more and more from the rest of the racers. The forecast was not looking good for those back in the pack as it was felt that
Seventies Memories Continued from Page 6.
really pays taxes in this country. Checked your payroll stub lately? And, “unem- ployed” don’t add much do they? The “Wealthy” have accountants to fi gure ways to protect their money. Within two years or less, sailboats builders in this country went from 111 to under 12, at least one if not more airplane builders went out of busi- ness. Fine automobile sales plummeted and I guess we must have given our wives wine for Christmas instead of necklaces or rings. Wilbur Yachts went from three buildings fi lled to capacity, crew of over fi fty em- ployees to two in two years time. Keep in mind, I knew all of our people. Knew their families, some I’d gone to school with, par- tied with. Scott Farley, Stan Ward and I came
back from installing a fl ybridge on one of our 34’s in New York. They knew we’d have to lay them off the following week. Miracle. The Gods were looking after us. Phone order for a “34” comes in from a gentleman in South Dakota. Someone I’d met at the Miami Boat show. Took years to scratch our way back, but was never the same. Seemed to be forever looking over my shoulder, wondering what kind of mis- chief politicians would next pull out of their magic hat. Friends have asked who I was voting
for this election, and when I replied would question my reasoning. I could only an- swer, and then with a straight face, try be- ing in business for 30 years and having to compete with your own government to stay alive.
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when the leaders passed the Cape of Good Hope those in the back would be about 2,000 nautical miles back. HUGO BOSS is still in the lead and making more than 20 knots.
If you like ocean racing who want to
follow the Vendee Globe they have an ex- cellent website to follow everything that is happening on the race course.
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