Guest Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Well its almost that time of year again and ill be doing updates for this single handed race like the volvo. here is the latest info 30 days out from the start Vendée Globe: the final month ashore for Marc Guillemot The countdown has begun with 30 days to go before the start of the round the world race. The date is drawing near. Marc Guillemot tells us about his final preparations. With 30 days to go to the start in Les Sables d'Olonne, Marc Guillemot’s daily life is completely given over to the big start of his solo round the world voyage: "Since the end of August, we have been in a different phase. I live the Vendée Globe, think the Vendée Globe, everything I do and plan is linked to it. It is impossible to think of anything other than the race." So, he is already fully focused on this all the time. "It is very intense, consuming… and fascinating," declared the skipper of Safran. In between the thousands of things to do, there are still more training sessions lined up. "Just yesterday I was out at sea on my boat… and I’ll be out there again tomorrow," smiled Marc. "Safran is already in Vendée Globe mode. The round the world sails are on board and I’ll be testing them one more time just to be 100% certain about them. There are lots of little details to check over." “We’re ready” Of course, the boat is already 100% ready. "The team has done a great job and we’re ready. These final weeks before the race are very important, particularly as I need to be entirely confident in the equipment. For example, at the moment when I get out on the water, I use the autopilot in normal mode, but also in reduced mode. It’s all a question of being ready to use it if I have to during the race. This final month before the start is also an opportunity to take care of small, yet important details, such as the supplies that go aboard, the bags of clothes, the spare gear. We have to be careful not to take too much on board... or indeed too little. We have to be extremely meticulous about this. To sum up, we check absolutely everything: from the smallest detail down to the most important elements." One new feature: Safran will be setting off with hydrogenerators, which will supply some of the electrical power required by the autopilots, navigation instruments (see below), navigational lights, etc… "This is important," explained Marc, "as the energy supplied by the hydrogenerators and the wind turbine means that we can reduce the quantity and therefore the weight of diesel necessary to fuel the engine and the alternator, which is the third power source on the boat." A close look at the hydrogenerators by Jean-Marie de La Porte, project leader with the Safran Sailing Team: "For this Vendée Globe, a new application from the Safran group has been installed on the boat. Marc Guillemot is taking on board two hydrogenerators designed by two companies within the Safran group: Sagem and Hispano-Suiza. Fitted to the port and starboard side of the transom, these hydrogenerators – based on the principle of driving an alternator using an immersed propeller – are protected by an automatic kick-up system in case of collision (just like the rudders). When used for several hours a day, they are able to supply the boat with her electrical energy needs. Sagem designed the whole of the electrical part of the system. Hispano-Suiza, which specializes in aircraft engine transmissions, came up with the whole of the alternator drive system." Link to post Share on other sites
markm 30 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Never a dull event, fwiw, think it will be Jean-Pierre Dicks year. Also think Vincent Rieu and Francois Gabart may do well,accepted as always a 50% attrition rate. For those interested in the detail, people and boats below. Skipper, Nat, Boat, Type, notes Jérémie Beyou, FRA, Maître CoQ, Farr 2007, x Foncia Arnaud Boissieres, FRA, Akena Vérandas, Farr 2006, X PRB Louis Burton , FRA, Bureau Vallée, Farr 2006 Sam Davies, GBR, Savéol, Veolia Lombard 2004/Juan K Bertrand de Broc, FRA, Votre Nom autour du Monde avec EDM Projets, Finot-Conq 2007 Tanguy de LaMotte, FRA, Initiatives-coeur, Lombard 1998 Kito de Pavant, FRA, Groupe Bel, , VPLP-Verdier 2007 Alessandro di Benedetto, FRA-ITA, Team Plastique, Finot-Conq 1998 Jean-Pierre Dick, FRA, Virbac-Paprec 3, VPLP-Verdier 2010 François Gabart, FRA, MACIF, , VPLP-Verdier 2011, Mike Golding, GBR, Gamesa, Owen-Clarke-Oliver 2007 Marc Guillemot, FRA, Safran, , VPLP-Verdier 2007 Zbigniew Gutkowski, POL, ENERGA, Finot-Conq 1991 Jean le Cam , FRA, SynerCiel, Farr 2007, ex Gitana Armel le Cleac'h, FRA, Banque Populaire, VPLP-Verdier 2010, ex Foncia Vincent Riou, FRA, PRB, , VPLP-Verdier 2010 Javier Sanso, ESP, Acciona 100% EcoPowered, , Owen-Clarke 2011 Bernard Stamm, SUI, Cheminées Poujoulat, , Juan K 2011 Alex Thomson, GBR, Hugo Boss, Farr 2007, Ex BT Dominique Wavre, SUI, Mirabaud, , Owen-Clarke 2006 Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Good sized fleet, some of the other RTW races would be jealous. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Good sized fleet, some of the other RTW races would be jealous.And mainly because they don't change the boats each year so there is a viable cheap entry option using last years after a tickle. Knot only jealous Mr Orge but they should be looking hard at why the VG has such a good list. I think I'd have to agree with Marks comment about Jean-Pierre. I'm expecting to see him be a very serious player with that massive raft of experience he's now got and has to count large in short handed. I think he scored yachtie of the year or some fancy title like that knot long ago. That's pretty impressive with him knot being either AC or Olympics. Also Bernard Stamm, knot to sure why though. Just a feeling he'll stick his head up. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Probly right - a few new names in there amongst at least 3-4 I'd consider up for the win. Link to post Share on other sites
philstar 61 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 awesome fleet!! testiment to the longevity and durability of the open 60's. these are still great looking boats too. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 testiment to the longevity and durability of the open 60's. Testament to someone having the brains to knot try and fix something that isn't broken. Thank F, Coutts only sails those off the beach day cats and knot real boats. Link to post Share on other sites
smithy09 50 Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 testiment to the longevity and durability of the open 60's. Testament to someone having the brains to knot try and fix something that isn't broken. Thank F, Coutts only sails those off the beach day cats and knot real boats. Great Fleet alright. I want one of those Hydrogenerators!! Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.