Editorial Andrew Hurst Wrong for now?
Discussing Imoca design before the Vendeé Globe, I was of the opinion that the less aggressive C-foils on Hugo Boss and Arkea would struggle against more powerful long, flatter wings on some of their rivals. With the benefit of absolutely no scientific analysis I had studied the C-foils and decided that, while they were tidy and looked more robust, they
would not lift a new Imoca for enough of the time to compete with their more dramatic hydrofoiled competition. Oops. We now know that when the seas get up those super-foils simply
cannot be used for any length of time in their current form. Skippers have said how dangerous they sometimes felt at the mercy of the abuse the foils dealt out, flinging boats and sailors up and down with violent, random motions as they ‘gripped up’ and then stalled again. The C-foils now look a more pragmatic solution for the class… As.
It. Stands. Today. Relatively tougher and more gentle in power delivery, the C-foil can also be almost fully retracted, giving it the advantage in wild and also very light conditions. Couple of problems, though. The first is that neither of the latest
C-foil designs made it to the Southern Ocean to test our new theory. The other is that Imoca development is moving at such a pace that today’s carefully thought-through conclusion is, as they say, tomorrow’s chip wrapping. As for the rest, many Imoca skippers are clearly a bit starstruck by
the performance of a severely compromised L’Occitane, the first and only Imoca scow this time. L’Occitane herself was sold before Armel Tripon crossed the finish and deposits have been put down on two sis- terships to be built out of the same moulds – one for Tripon himself. Imoca rudder foils are off the menu in the name of cost saving and
reliability (and safety), but if there is a wholesale rethink of what makes a fast Imoca hull then the cost of a new rudder-elevator system may be the least of the class’s concerns. But what a story! And what a class!
across the water, a life that was thoroughly well lived. Right now I am stuck with the thought that coming in from our Thursday
evening J/80 racing we will no longer see Bob’s always, and I do mean always, cheery grin as we pass his beautiful Rosenn (nor possibly, for a while, get a cheery insult from Bob’s lifelong friend and Rosenn co- owner Barry Dunning). Thursday evenings will not be the same without you on the water with us, my friend. Though on reflection, I bet you will still be out there making notes of our limitless mistakes. I do hope so.
An incomparable adventure – Jocelyn Blériot It probably is the case every four years, as each edition brings its share of wonderful episodes but, sitting through all the Vendée Globe press conferences in 2021, one could only feel this edition gathered a particularly good gallery of characters – and associated moments. So, sure, it would be tedious to go through the whole list but failing
to emphasise Damien Seguin’s words for Jean Le Cam would be criminal. ‘I could thank you every day, it would not do justice to what you brought me,’ said the magnificent Apicilskipper to his mentor who – I’d hazard a guess here – put his heart and soul into helping Damien, certainly not charging all his hours. It was also lovely to hear Charlie Dalin have kind words for Pip Hare,
spontaneously, during his press conference. He could have focused on his closest rivals, talk about the epic fight he’d had to achieve line honours… but, no, he shifted the attention to that ‘other’ race and paid tribute to Damien’s and Pip’s feats of human determination. Acts of class and displays of elegance have been plentiful in this
(Slightly) wrong I recently waxed lyrical about the genius of the AC75, but I do not believe we are there quite yet in terms of validating this latest iteration of America’s Cup world. Spectacular, dramatic, incredible for the sailors etc, still all true. But I was not particularly encouraged to read in the account of the Patriotcapsize (page 15) how the good ship was undone when struck by a solid gust… of 24kt. Another work in progress then.
A world less fun I will write more fully in the next issue about the loss of my friend Bob Fisher, confidant, supporter and, in the deepest, dimmest past, briefly a rival in the Hornet class (vintage dinghy indeed!). Another mutual friend, Tim Jeffery, writes elsewhere with a cheeky chronicle of a very cheeky life. Also a quite brilliant life and, thank heavens for his wonderful family and the thousands who knew Bob, wherever wood was blown
‘ THE FISH
Bob Fisher (inset) and Peter Schneidau on their C-Class Lady Helmsman in the 1967 Little America’s Cup. They defended the trophy won in 1966 by Tornado gold medallists Reg White and John Osborn – but by 1967 Lady Helmsman was no longer the fastest C-Class and the challenger Quest III was a tough adversary
edition. Remember, for example, that Yann Eliès had put a call out to sponsors saying they should back Benjamin Dutreux while he was him- self looking for a budget. Beautiful stories have once more been written, somewhat balancing out the consideration deficit and repeated insults to dignity that seem to characterise today’s world.
Bloody useless – Tornado Olympian Rob White describes Bob Fisher as a Godfather
– Yoshiro Mori (now ex-head of the Tokyo Olympics)
think they should speak too
Bob told me once he was leaving the Met Office some money to put a window into their premises… so they could look outside and see what was actually happening
– Howard MacKenzie-Wilson He was a brilliant sailor. My god! Did we have fun!
– Sir Robin Knox-Johnston There were so many sides to Fish. He was fun. Good company. An ability to get away with things. He was just a really happy person to
spend time with – Hugh Welbourn
OOPS A board meeting with a lot of women will always drag on… – Yoshiro Mori
When one raises her hand all the others
WELL…
What’s next, Pip? – Medallia CEO Leslie Stretch as Pip Hare steps ashore
q
Heh, let’s go shopping – the pair wander off to inspect the merchandise
THE MIGHTY 4th ESTATE (AGAIN) Tokyo Olympics: definitely going ahead
unless cancelled again – The Guardian newspaper
ARE SAILORS TOO NICE? I beat all of them, they can’t get around it, can they?
– Max Verstappen is asked about his teammates My father always said
‘destroy them’ – Verstappen So I did
– Verstappen
He’s a cold, fast b*stard – ex-teammate Pierre Gasly is asked his own view
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
‘
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110
