Virtual Vendee Globe...

[Tim]

... and the Southern Ocean seems so easy in our game, just find the big arrows...

Yep, haven't felt the least bit seasick yet  ;D

[CapnK]

This big low about to run over the grouped sailFarers has lots of big arrows. :) I wonder if we will see some 50+ kt winds during this thing? Since we won't have to heave-to or do 'normal' boat things in these virtual craft, I wonder if we'll be able to fly spinnakers and such...

...maybe break the 50kt barrier in a virtual Open 60. ;D

[Tim]

...maybe break the 50kt barrier in a virtual Open 60. ;D

I'm counting on it  ;) Better get your tail in gear! ;D

[CapnK]

...And you should, too! You are a "Tim sammich" ;) since I am driving 'Rodeorm' for the next few days (until Magnus returns), so you need to be looking both forwards *and* back... ;D

[Tim]

 ::) GULP  ::)

[CapnK]

From "Race HQ":

Special operation on December 16!!

14 Dec - Starts this Sunday @ 23h

Do not count on me to tell you anything more about it but we would like this special operation to be global and it concerns all of the Vendee Globe afficionados.
'Rendez-vous' at the weather updates on Sunday 14 (evening) to know the whole story.
I promise that it will be great story and we'd like all of the 250 000 players to be part of it  ... so pass the word around you.
In case you do not know where to find me ... you can follow the star of my boat.
Sebastien Destremau

[CapnK]

I think that his server just melted down. ;D

[Tim]

LOL I keep getting "server time outs" can't get my sails changed I guess the "special notice" was a trick by Destremau

[CapnK]

LOL I keep getting "server time outs" can't get my sails changed I guess the "special notice" was a trick by Destremau

He needed to do this to be able to get past Bill. ;D

[Tim]

What weather update is he talking about anyway?, the only one I have is for the Vendee Globe race

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/weather/

[CapnK]

My impression is that he meant at this 5PM EST (23:00 UT) regular wind update.

[Tim]

Well then I think he is a French terrorist! ::)

[CapnK]

On the one hand, I am more than ready to go wash off the fiberglass and plywood dust, so I wish he would get it back up.

On the other, if things are continuing as they were prior to 5, then the longer this takes, the better angle I'll get bearing off past Kerguelen Island successfully if that is what the wind calls for doing. :)

Edit: It's back up. Yippee! ;)

[Tim]

Back on

[skylark]

Time to head north boys, the next gate is at 47S and there is a nasty low wind zone showing up on the 36 hour forecast, good luck getting to the other side before it appears.

[Tim]

All things considered I am pretty impressed with how well they have kept this freebee up and running.

[CapnK]

Time to head north boys, the next gate is at 47S and there is a nasty low wind zone showing up on the 36 hour forecast, good luck getting to the other side before it appears.

I can tell I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for the next day. :D

Have any of y'all seen what this big huge gigantic announcement is yet? I've checked the news page, put my mouse over Sebatians boat to check his pop-up, haven't seen anything anywhere...

[Godot]

Sebastien's blog via google translation:

The story about a great man ...His nickname is 'Bilou'

This is a story about a man, a great skipper, who needs our help to overcome his fear about December 16.  But what is this circus I hear you asking? Read this extraordinary story and judge for yourself whether this guy needs a boost from us all or not!

Crewing with some of the greatest skippers during his "classes", and then turning a talented skipper in his own right, Roland had his share of luck in his career. The jovial and friendly "Bigouden did not fail the "tradition of being lucky" during his extraordinary career as a sailor.

However, there is a day where Bilou's luck runs out. He knows it, he is stressed about it and this day is fast approaching ...  December 16 it is!

Vendee Globe 2000/2001: Aboard "Sill, Roland made a remarkable comeback and is fighting for the lead with Michel Desjoyeaux. He has a better boat, he enjoyed sailing across the Indian Ocean, Bilou is perfectly comfortable.

On 16 December, he is sailing with a reef in the mainsail when the track on the mast pulls out. Bilou can not repair it due to the swell ... He keeps this drama for himself and carries on racing unable to hoist the mainsail completely.

Vendee Globe 2004/2005: In mid December, Roland Jourdain is about 120 miles from the lead after having pushed his boat real hard throughout the Indian Ocean. 'Bilou' is a contender for the overall victory. On December 16, he hears concerning some cracks and slows his boat down to closely examine his keel ... to discover that it is broken! The boat is not in immediate danger, but he heavy hearted skipper heads for Hobart in Tasmania.

Barcelona World Race 2007: Racing around the world double handed with Jean-Luc Nélias, 'Veolia' is comfortably sailing in 20 knots of wind under full sails. The 16/17 December when everything is fine on board, "Véolia" suddenly loses her mast!

It is again the end of the race for a skipper beginning to wonder what is wrong with December 16!

As you can see, "Bilou" needs a hand and we must do something to help him! Post a message to "Bilou" here on December 15 and we'll pass it on board 'Veolia' to show him our support.

Let's hope that with our help, he will sail this fearful day without any incident and carries on racing ...  with a smile!

All together with you on the 16 Bilou!

[CapnK]

Aha! Adam the detective solves the mystery. :D Grog!

[Tim]

Aha! Adam the detective solves the mystery. :D Grog!

A Grog from me too! Thanks