Ellen, skipper of Kingfisher has picked up 600 miles on Desjoyeaux and briefly was in the lead two days ago. It looks like it's turning into a drag race to the finish line between these two leaders. I'm hoping that Ellen will prevail and become the first woman to win the Vendee Globe.
Many analytical formulas exist which are supposed to shed light on various aspects of boat design.
However, with the exception of the Prismatic Coefficient, at this time we'll deal only with those which can be calculated and interpreted by anybody using the simple data normally included with the publication of a particular design. All it shows is whether the ballast related to the overall displacement of the boat is or is not within the average design envelope-or not. Most sailboats are classified as displacement hulls. It is a function of the length of the wave created by the boat as it moves through the water. Wave speed is a function of wavelength.