Heh. More cool gybing action from Dongfeng in today’s…
Heh. More cool gybing action from Dongfeng in today’s batch of videos.
It’s interesting to compare this to the Leg 1 gybe I posted yesterday. The wind is lighter, but the ocean is rougher. There’s a big leftover swell coming from behind, along with a wicked cross sea. Welcome to the Southern Ocean. Despite the potentially frustrating circumstances, though, the gybe is impressively smooth and quiet.
Compare it to the gybe starting at about 2:35 in this video from Mapfre. Similar conditions, similar result. But there’s a just a touch less smoothness, a touch more chatter. Mapfre feels like a boat being sailed by a bunch of really talented individuals. Dongfeng feels like a boat being sailed by a team.
The main attraction for me in watching these videos is indulging the Walter Mitty fantasy of actually being on board. The fantasy feels different for each boat, because each crew is different. So I wonder: If I had my choice, who would I sail with?
I can’t sail on SCA because I’m chromosomally disqualified, but if I could I’d probably pick them. So maybe ADOR, because those guys are just amazing. I’m totally envious of Matt Knighton’s ringside seat to the awesomeness.
But honestly: these guys. It’s just seems like such a cool vibe on their boat.
Reposted from http://ift.tt/1z9ky90.
Tags: vor, volvo ocean race, dongfeng race team, because you know I'm all about those gybes, those gybes, no tacking.
