Route du Rhum - IMOCA race analysis by Marc Guillemot
November 05, 2018 18:11
November 05, 2018 18:11
“The sailors are experiencing a rough start to the race. It’s not easy for anyone. They have been kept busy for the last 10 days in Saint-Malo.
Even if from time to time, they manage to get away from all that, tiredness takes its toll and some were not at 100% of their capacity when they set sail. That can cost them dearly at the start of the race, seeing as there are complicated weather conditions.
Since yesterday, I have been closely following Alex Thomson’s trajectory. He was the only one to go to the north of the traffic separation scheme off Ushant. Other skippers may well have considered that option. They needed to take a decision once they had reached Bréhat.
Aiming for the north of the TSS involved hoisting the spinnaker instead of the gennaker, and forcing them to carry out extra manoeuvres. With the worry of having to bring down the sail quickly if the wind got up and the danger of finding themselves entering the TSS… I put myself in the position of Alex’s rivals…
We are sailing well. We can luff up with the sail we have and instead of heading to the north of the TSS, we’re tempted to go south. I cannot judge their choices, as it is far too easy to do that from ashore with your feet up. Everyone follows their route depending on how they are feeling, how the boat is and how well prepared they are.
Alex Thomson’s fine strategic play
In any case, Alex pulled off a good strategic stroke. He took a risk by moving away from the direct route, went on the attack and kept going all the way. Today, he is reaping the benefits of his investment. Hugo Boss was the first to pass to the north of the current low-pressure system, and in particular, he is well placed to deal with the next. Before the day is out, he’ll pick up a southwesterly wind and shift to port tack, which will mean that he is ahead of the big low. He will be able to make headway southwards and westwards and in his choice of route will have more freedom than his rivals, who are sailing further east. If he needs to come around slightly in the heavy weather, he will have plenty of room without having to worry about getting too close to the coast of Spain. To sum up, the further east you are, the less favourable the position to deal with the low.
As a sailor stuck in front of my computer screen, I’m watching this Route du Rhum with a great deal of interest. I’m watching in particular the close fight that is going between Vincent Riou and Paul Meilhat for second place. I can see too that Alan Roura has had a fantastic start to his race. It’s nice to see that the older boats with some determined and hard-working sailors can keep up with the best in these tough conditions.
"Fighting against mountains of water"
Conditions are tougher for the leaders, starting with Alex Thomson. Sailing at 20 knots in such heavy seas is no easy matter. I can imagine that Hugo Boss is under the water with Alex inside in his foulies, ready to leap outside if necessary. Given the conditions, he is probably sailing with two reefs in the mainsail and the J3 headsail. Sailing like this requires you to keep cool and remain focused.
In the coming hours, conditions will be getting more complicated for everyone. Until they cross the line from the Azores-to-Lisbon, the sailors will be at war, fighting against mountains of water. They are going to have to do their best with the boat and look after themselves, putting the rankings to one side until the race can get going again.
The important thing here is getting out of the area of low pressure with a boat that can still perform well. It’s going to be hard, but they need to hold on in there. In the IMOCA class, we’re looking at professionals, who know how to deal with these conditions. But they nevertheless need to pay attention...”
Marc Guillemot
Some of Marc Guillemot’s achievements in the IMOCA class:
. 2 attempts at the Vendée Globe (3rd in 2008-2009)
. 3 attempts at the Route du Rhum (3rd in 2010 and 2014)
. 5 attempts at the Transat Jacques Vabre (winner in 2009, 2ndin 2007 and 2013)
. Round Britain and Ireland crewed record (2011)
. North Atlantic crossing solo record (2013)
Cover photo © Yvan Zedda #RDR2018
Ti Potrebbe Interessare Anche
La Ottanta del Circolo Nautico Santa Margherita decima edizione
Nell’anno delle regate anniversario, la decima edizione de La Ottanta del Circolo Nautico Santa Margherita si annuncia un banco di prova importante,...
Yacht Club Imperia: numeri in crescita per la seconda edizione della Locauto Eurocup...
Numeri in aumento per l'edizione 2024 della Locato Eurocup WASZP, evento di cartello organizzato dallo Yacht Club Imperia in collaborazione con Drylaps,...
37^ America's Cup: i ''Maghi'' si comportano bene con il moto ondoso
Con Barcellona che sta attraversando l'inizio della primavera, mentre i sistemi meteorologici inclementi in arrivo dall'Atlantico e dal Mediterraneo tengono...
Ocean Globe Race: finalmente verso casa la Mcintyre OGR
La flotta che attraversa l'Equatore lotta per ogni miglio nella quarta tappa McIntyre OGR. Il sole cocente brucia i marinai. Un'altra settimana...
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda: aperte le iscrizioni alla Grand Soleil Cup 2024
Porto Cervo, 27 marzo 2024. La Grand Soleil Cup, evento riservato agli yacht a vela costruiti dal Cantiere del Pardo, ritorna a Porto Cervo in occasione...
Sardinia Cup 2024: conclusa la 39^ edizione. Tutti i vincitori
Conclusa la 39° edizione del Campionato Invernale, organizzato dal Circolo Velico Riminese. Un campionato non è solo regate. È...
Fraglia Vela Riva: 42mo Meeting del Garda Optimist, Riva del Garda si prepara per...
Riva del Garda, 26 marzo 2024 - Si respira aria di vigilia presso la sede della Fraglia Vela Riva che, come sempre accade nella settimana...
Europei ILCA Under 21 2024: trionfi italiani a Maiorca
Si è concluso oggi, a Maiorca, il Campionato Europeo ILCA Under 21, evento che ha visto la partecipazione di 201 velisti provenienti da 35 nazioni. L'Italia...
La Direzione Tecnica indica due atleti per i Giochi Olimpici di Parigi 2024
Il Direttore Tecnico della Federazione Italiana Vela Michele Marchesini ha reso noti i nominativi dei due atleti che proporrà al prossimo Consiglio...