Vendee: December

[wingreen]

... until I lost 35,000 places over just a few days. Now I've stabilized for the moment, right around 90,000th place.

#$%^-ing wind changes...

Well, I'll make the best of things here in the back of the pack, pop a bottle of virtual rum, and just enjoy my round-the-world cruise...

[Russell]

Any other tips for me? I'm 2,000 miles behind the main Cape Dory bunch and never likely to catch up without a miracle.

Well you will certainly catch up and pass me at least!

[John Vigor]

Well you will certainly catch up and pass me at least!

I doubt it, Russell. I saw the track you took and recognized immediately that this was someone who knew his wind systems.

The only way I'll catch you is if you let your prop spin free. (Oh, gee, don't tell Darmoose I said that.)

Cheers,

John V.

[John Vigor]

It started with Mango. It was Mangorevrach or something similar

Ahhh, a fellow Russian, eh? Sorta like 'Rogiv'?

Nyet, Judith, joost another backward sailor like me.

Cheers,

Ivan Rogiv

[Oswego John]

It started with Mango. It was Mangorevrach or something similar

Ahhh, a fellow Russian, eh? Sorta like 'Rogiv'?

Nyet, Judith, joost another backward sailor like me.

Ja, it's for backward sailors like us that they make double enders.

Osvegovitch Ivan

[wingreen]

I'm ridin' the storm!!! I caught that low down in the South Sea just right, and made up about 20,000 places in two days, about half the ground I lost since last week. Another one of these, and I'll be breathing the wind into the sails for the rest of the CD regatta!

[Judith]

Breathe away, wingreen--won't hurt my feelings in the slightest!

The rollercoaster rankings are just Kafka-esque ("Why am I here? What did I do wrong?"). . .But I confess, I love it when my standings improve

[Judith]

Osvegovitch Ivan

Nice use of the patrynomic, Ivan Osvegovitch! Son of Oswego indeed!

[nprice]

Well all good things come to an end and PattieB Too has ground to a halt with just half a knot of wind. Somehow we're still doing 3 knots though. Could it be the current?

[Duncan]

..as "dbcameron" ('Coquine' was taken already).

Back in the South Atlantic, and Rogiv is the only CD in sight.

But I've gained almost 20,000 places overnight (now running 182,038th).

How does it know who your friends are? I clicked on 'see friends', and it automagically showed me the Cape Dory crowd!

[Oswego John]

Osvegovitch Ivan

Nice use of the patrynomic, Ivan Osvegovitch! Son of Oswego indeed!

...........................................................................................................

Hi Judith,

Patrynomic, indeed? (I take that as a compliment, I hope)

I was really trying to use another appropriate substitute for the name John, such as is Hans, Johann, Ian, Juan etc, maybe Sean, and Ivan, too.

Patrynomic. Aaaaarrrgh

Pucebeard the Pirate

[Warren S]

[wingreen]

And how does a professional racer beach himself that badly?

[Warren S]

He couldn't pick up a mooring that they put out for him in 45-50 knt winds. Guess the engine couldn't do the job.

Another example of all the things that can befall us also befall the pros.

From VR News:
Cheminées Poujoulat entered Morbihan Bay in 40-45 knot winds on Sunday evening. In spite of the help that was given to him, Bernard Stamm was unable to moor up where a buoy had been set up for him while using his engine, the assistance of a RIB and the help of Dominique Wavre on board. Very quickly a series of events led to the 60-foot Imoca boat being driven ashore. The skipper was taken off safe and sound.

[John Vigor]

Does anyone in the Vendee Virtual know what "special happening"
there is supposed to be today? I can't find any information except for a December 14 teaser piece, saying all will be revealed on December 16. I'm hoping the organizers will say anyone rated 124,000 or more can take 10,000 free bonus places to help catch up with the rest of the Cape Dory mob.

Cheers,

John V.