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Vendee Globe 2020


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Are these the same engineers who said “it’s strong enough” before?

the rapid changes in forces between the foil section and bow section on those foiling boats must be mental at 20knots. 

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2 hours ago, Addem said:

Are these the same engineers who said “it’s strong enough” before?

the rapid changes in forces between the foil section and bow section on those foiling boats must be mental at 20knots. 

It must be a real head scratcher to model the load cases for these boats, there would be so many variables to account for. I would imagine the instantaneous loads from slamming into waves could at times be horrendous, like hitting the boat with an outsized sledge hammer.  Its amazing they last the distance at all, its a real tribute to the designers engineering skills.

Many years ago a colleague related a story whereby Boeing sales reps were touring the world visiting prospective customers for the  787 dreamliner. Since there was a lot of suspicion about an all carbon fibre airframe they took a sample piece of the fuselage on tour so they could show how strong it really was. Customers were given a sledge hammer and invited to hit the structure as hard as they liked. One asian airline had a giant who didn't say much but was there just to swing the hammer, apparently it just bounced off !  with a satisfying "ping"

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Watching the Frenchman's video,my understanding of what he said, is that since they fly so much, therefore the aerodynamics are different. I thought a foil designed for air is identical to one operating in water. What say you?

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Its all on in the Vendee, PRB skipper has activated PLB, in liferaft. Jean Le Cam almost got him (got in sight of him) but lost him. Race control has diverted FOUR boats, now doing a grid search...

Only report from PRB is that he was "taking on water". Sounds like the boat has sunk...

Hope it pans out OK. The others can't find him currently. 5 m sea, VHF / AIS MOB signal is easily blocked.

Possible issue with trying to do a pick up with foils sticking out. Once of the diverted boats is a non foiler...

 

https://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/news/20687/four-vendee-globe-skippers-are-in-the-zone-to-help-in-rescue-of-kevin-escoffier

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Good stuff. So race control haven't spoken to either skipper, but saw Kevin onboard via video link, before the video link died, or was killed (maybe for a bit of privacy)

Vendée Globe race director Jacques Caraës outlined, “We sent Jean back to a position received by the CROSS Gris Nez, the position sent by the onboard EPIRB distress beacon. Météo France's drift simulation also delivered a trace. Jean set off at OOh15 UT (1h15 French time) on our request to reach this point at reduced speed. He found no one at the given location. He then resumed its journey southeast for three quarters for between 45 minutes and an hour - an hour. As he was making headway at 1.5 knots in a 20-25 knot wind under very reduced sail (3 reefs in the mainsail and no engine), he disappeared from the screen when suddenly we heard him talk. We no longer saw anyone. Then, a few minutes after 1:06 UT or 2:06 French time (time at which he had precisely to retrieve Kevin on board), Jean went back down to the chart table and then we saw Kevin arrive behind his back in a survival suit. They both appeared fit seconds before the video cut. He is fine. Everyone is well. They are recovering!

https://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/news/20690/news-flash-kevin-escoffier-rescued-by-fellow-vendee-globe-competitor-jean-le-cam

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Wow it sounds like PRB actually snapped completely in half and went down really quick. Total structural failure of epic proportions. 

He mentions that they had recently added 200kg of extra carbon reinforcement to make it stronger. 

These foiling boats are pushing some boundaries pretty hard. 

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He said 4 seconds. Had enough time to send one text. Saw the bow sticking up at 90 deg...

In 2009 the then skipper of PRB rescued Jean le Cam. Now JLC has rescued PRB... It's his 5th race, he's 61!

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