Off topic: Jules Verne circumnavigation race, foiled trimarans

[cglazier]

Two massive hydrofoil trimarans have just got underway trying to break the record of 40 days for a sailboat going around the world. These boats can reach speeds of 44 knots and average over 26 knots.
http://www.tropheejulesverne.org/en/courses/

[tkaraszewski]

I think these are awesome. It surprises me how few kitefoilers care about sailing or racing, though. None of this stuff ever gets any traction in kitefoil groups online.

[Peter_Frank]

I think these are awesome. It surprises me how few kitefoilers care about sailing or racing, though. None of this stuff ever gets any traction in kitefoil groups online.

I dont understand that either...

It is the most amazing and exciting sailing sport to watch when match races and similar regattas, nothing beats that

It is Formula1 on the water - expensive like h... but nothing is faster nor higher technology, and still wind driven - awesome

Peter

[apollo4000]

Been following the Vendee Globe..fantastic race. This one just adds to the tracker and wind analysis fun. And it’s going to last for months!!!! Recommendation Sea Wolves for quality updates and insights.

[Dave_5280]

Amazing! Hope they get good wind and break the record.

I’ve wondered if taking sailboat lessons would help my kiting. I read in the beginning of kitesurf racing that a lot of the leaders came in with a background in sailboat racing, so it probably helped them.

[knot_moving]

Amazing! Hope they get good wind and break the record.

I’ve wondered if taking sailboat lessons would help my kiting. I read in the beginning of kitesurf racing that a lot of the leaders came in with a background in sailboat racing, so it probably helped them.

No where near good enough to try kite racing but lots of years of local sailboat racing.
- seabreeze (thermal) winds can have a pretty reliable 10-15 deg shift every couple minutes. If you get in phase with this then you can ride a course closer to straight towards the mark (better VMG)
- windspeed is higher downwind side (furthest away when riding upwind) of building cumulus clouds, as it is being sucked up into the cloud so this local wind adds to basic wind flow. Windspeed is lower on the upwind side as wind generated from the cloud is opposite the basic wind flow. Rule of thumb is that for this to be present, distance from water to cloud base should be half height of the cloud from base to top.

- seabreeze winds have a tendency to bend near shore to be perpendicular to the shoreline. This is more useful in really light winds - may not be relevant to kite racing

- when sailing upwind, if there is a "lift" - wind shifts so you can ride more directly to the mark you are riding towards, then you will gain on those racers that are leeward of you (following a course further out to the same side of the mark you are sailing to). If its a "header" - wind shifts to push you further away from the mark you are riding towards, then it works opposite and you will lose to those boats leeward of you. If you are windward, this is your clue to tack, then you will be favored again.

... mostly pretty straightforward stuff you've probably picked up very quickly. If its like sailing, then just ask people why they did what they did after you get off the water & more than likely they will enjoy sharing it with you!

[knot_moving]

Amazing! Hope they get good wind and break the record.

I’ve wondered if taking sailboat lessons would help my kiting. I read in the beginning of kitesurf racing that a lot of the leaders came in with a background in sailboat racing, so it probably helped them.

... and don't take sailing lessons - go to cherry creek or chatfield resevoir on a wed evening and volunteer to sail on a boat. They have informal races every Wednesday (not now tho!) when its reasonably warm. Probably starts in May is my guess and runs into September. Loads of fun and you will learn a ton in a hurry. There is almost always someone needing a crewmember on their boat and they are happy to introduce new people to sailing.


... and I love the super high performance foiling sailing going on now!