Another racing question.

Blue Ghost · Jan 27, 2013

I just had a look at the following clip;

Vendée Globe - Day 77 Heavy weather conditions for Gabart and Le Cleach - YouTube

And one of the French sailors at the end is taking a dip in the ocean during a break in the Vendée Globe, by himself, with his boat several meters behind him.

I'm assuming he's by himself, and, if so, why on Earth would you take a swim like that? I can only assume he tethered himself to his craft, but I don't know either way.

Can one of you salty pros comment on this?

rhinotub · Jan 28, 2013

I think he stated why: that he's not in contention, the wind is nil, so why not.

Pascal · Jan 28, 2013

He did have a line to the boat and indeed wind was dead... Still risky

Earlier in the race another competitor had to dive to clear something on his keel...

78 around the world solo is incredible, shattering the record by 6 days. More amazing the first two who arrived yesterday basically match raced for most of the race arriving only 3 hours apart.

I watched the finish online, what a sight! wellover 100 000 people lining the jetties

Compared to 100 spectators when the Volvo arrived in Miami ok may have been 1000 not 100 but what a shame that sailing simply isn't catching here.

Blue Ghost · Jan 28, 2013

It did seem awfully risky. Even if tethered, what if a brief sudden gust of wind came up? Wow.

Heh, if I were to do something like that, I'd rip a page out of history, and drape my craft with anti-torpedo cages, and swim inside there

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Another racing question.

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