‘
Editorial Andrew Hurst Fessing up
I was wrong to doubt the AC75s. I always endorsed the technology and potential excitement but couldn’t see how that justified the cost. Sure enough there are just four teams in Auckland, all backed by billionaires, much as the J Class teams of the 1930s were. Then again, assuming our home team gets up to speed, all four are decently competitive and,
as Russell Coutts says, the rest are usually only there to make up the numbers. Indeed, but they did make it more of a show. Moving on. Should the Cup be defended in March there is zero to
less chance of the New Zealanders ditching the class. In which case the next Cup won’t see more interest than now. But there is a way to keep the stunning spectacle of the AC75s and improve the event. Let’s take the lessons of 2017 and apply them to the AC75. The
one-design AC50 hull was a good idea so for next time around use Te Rehutai for an offset file or even as a plug. Also consider other one-design elements, masts perhaps, already similar enough to make little real difference. The foil arm structures are already one-design but not universally popular due mainly to issues around proprietary software. However, since the foils are even more crucial to performance than the hulls (for most…) perhaps these too should be one-design. But leave sails open for the teams to work with themselves. So mostly one-design AC75s all built, like the AC50s, to the same
scantlings in the country of origin (it’s crucial the marine industry is fully engaged). All the spectacle of the current boats but guaranteed closer racing and more entries. Someone tell me why that is a bad idea?
going again she has matched the leaders’ pace while giving her skipper a much easier ride than the boats up front. Fantastic times for designers and engineers, though in the case of
the 60s perhaps a little too uncomfortable to be that fascinating for the human beings aboard this new generation of boats.
PS Please can those great minds give some thought to the cetaceans being killed or maimed by the Vendée Globe fleet. As great whites are attracted to the seal-like profiles of a surfer and board, so perhaps are whales to foilers? Either way, let’s stop deflecting about ‘UFOs’.
Lucky to have him (and so is Team New Zealand) For several days before GitanaUltimstruck trouble Guillaume Verdier had two Imoca 60s first and second in the Vendée Globe, the America’s Cup favourite and a 100ft fully foiling trimaran on target for a new round- the-world mark. Quite an achievement for a still young designer. ‘Some 30-plus years ago Guillaume and I would sit and daydream
Tech feast I recently wrote about the ‘Winter Feast’ that we are now indeed enjoying with three pinnacle sailing events happening at once: the Vendée Globe, America’s Cup and competing Jules Verne challenges. And how it is turning out!!! So much has been learnt and we’re barely halfway through. The AC75s we talked about. The technical issues that halted Gitana
Ultim– the most advanced ocean racer ever – are relatively minor. The boat had been setting an extraordinary pace flying at ridiculous average speeds. And the Vendée Globe… Unlike the last race and in spite of the bonkers wingspan of the new foils, at the time of writing we have only had a single structural foil issue with LinkedOut. But there have been many issues with the cassette structures with
the violent loads so they are now being employed frugally by foilers still in the race. As Jean Le Cam says, ‘Foilers are not made for the Vendée Globe.’ I disagree, foilers are not yet made for the Vendée Globe. But as a result of what is being learnt today they eventually will be. Watch too the high average speeds of Armel Tripon’s scow L’Occitane which lost nearly 2,000nm early on through rig problems. Since getting
‘
A little easier than saying hello. Kevin Escoffier waves farewell to his rescuer Jean Le Cam from a French Navy RIB in sunny and calm conditions. When he had dragged himself aboard Le Cam’s boat three days earlier it was blowing 30kt with very difficult seas
about what we’d end up doing. “I’d design some boats, you’d write their stories… how cool would that be?” he said one evening. The first time it actually happened – and there have been many occurrences since – it felt like we’d been true to our young selves. Seahorseis such a great place to continue that mutual journey. PS: everyone should have a friend like Guillaume – I consider myself lucky.’ – Jocelyn Blériot
q
VENDEE CLASS Thank God Kevin [Escoffier] is safe. I assure you that PRB will continue to support
you for the next race – PRB president Jean-Jacques Laurent
your race – Escoffier steps aboard Yes We Cam!
VENDEE IRONY So sorry to f*ck up
At that point I was not feeling very confident, being in a raft in 35kt of wind is not very
reassuring – Escoffier These are quite sporty
sailings – Thomas Ruyant, LinkedOut
VENDEE SEAMANSHIP I had just the main with two reefs in 30-32kt and with the rough seas it was not easy to manoeuvre. I went there (looking for him) five or six times which meant I had to tack five or six times because of the mishaps that
happened all the time – Jean Le Cam I placed myself to windward of him. Kevin asked me, ‘Will you be back?’ I said, ‘No, we
are doing this now!’ Then at one point the boat was falling backwards too fast in reverse and he was just there, 2m off the stern, and thank goodness I had prepared the red life-ring that is usually in the cockpit. I throw it to him, and he
catches it – Le Cam
And that was it – Le Cam
very fragile – first-timer Isabelle Joschke, Macsf
VENDEE HUMILITY I feel like a very small thing here in the south,
off early – Well-known (anonymous) New Zealand designer
Needs cooking – label seen on a Christmas turkey
INFANTILISED?
YES WE CAM! Yes, he bloody did – Ed
Seahorse magazine and our associate raceboatsonly brokerage site are both at:
seahorsemagazine.com The editor is contactable by email at:
andrew@seahorse.co.uk
SEAHORSE 11
OOH To me the New Zealand AC75 is almost how Britannia should have looked if the CAD guy tasked with fairing the underside of the hull hadn’t knocked
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