Facebook

Login

Support Sailonline

If you haven't already - join the SAILONLINE YACHT CLUB!

Please also consider making a donation - all amounts are greatly appreciated!

Board » Flag Officers » Races » Tokyo - San Francisco 2019

Was it really that hard to put the starting line outside Tokyo Bay so everyone gets a fair start! It is supposed to be an offshore race ….


/SKOVSER
Hi SKOVSER :-)

Response from SRC:

"SKOVSER - This point was raised to OPS by SRC when the race was previewed some three weeks ago.

The response from OPS was – “This race was raced as-is in 2014 .... so, if SRC needs the start to be relocated, Finn, just a reminder that you will need to create a new Tokyo Offshore waypoint and a new TOK_SFO race course .. otherwise info about the old race is skewed!”

SRC did not require the start to be relocated by OPS. (It would have created a duplicate course which SOL tries to avoid.)"

Response from OPS:

"Dear SKOVSER,
Thank you for raising this very valid point.
It is in fact one which SRC considered prior to setting up this re-run of a 2014 race, which on the day attracted a large fleet and more than likely invited a few comments of a similar nature to yours of today. However, as the race was long, the outcome of the dash through the bay out to sea, proved to have no bearing on the results. So, to avoid having to create a duplicate course departing from a new waypoint, thus adding more data to our ever-growing database, it was considered fair enough to leave the race as first designed. The fact that a new tool known as 'AGL' allows racers to pretty accurately plan a series of DCs to safely route through restricted waters was a further consideration in deciding to leave the race 'as was'.
Finally, we take this opportunity to reflect on the hypothetical situation that the finish originally might have been inside San Francisco Bay, in which case that definitely would have been changed, as we adjudge it is far more important that long races do not run the risk of ending in disaster for competitors not able to attend to their boat as they approach the finish."

I hope that covers your question :-)
Thanks for your reply.

I do not agree with your answer and have the following comments:

Your explanation that you want to avoid further data for the database can be fixed by replacing the existing race with a new one - and not just copying a new one!

Your arguments about the start procedure contradict you in your arguments about a hypothetical finish inside SF Bay. IRL sailors think it is just as important to get a good and fair start!
Generally speaking, I do not think SOL should design its races, based on what is found by external aids on other web pages, eg. AGL, so I do not buy that argument.

Personally, I think an offshore race should be between 2 open points (start/finish)!

Overall, there will be fewer and fewer participants for SOL so I would encourage more SOL’ers to participate in the debate on the continued development….
I can recommend making a small study of what SOL’ers think about the races, possibly wishes for new initiatives etc.

Regards,
/SKOVSER
Bimmer:- What is AGL and where do I find it? I'm not a router user, but sometimes getting out of a restricted start area can be a real chore late at night.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Hi Rod.
AGL (AutoGribLoader) or DC Checker as it's also called is made by Kipper1258.
You can find it here : Version 3.1.3

Be sure to read the manual very carefully.

Problems? Write to finn@sailonline.org

--- Last Edited by Bimmer at 2019-06-18 02:49:55 ---

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

Doha Basra TIMED Race 2026

Welcome to Kuwait for a short 78 nm TIMED race from the port of Doha (not to be confused with Doha, Qatar) to Basra, Iraq. Jazirat Light on Auha Island is the only mark to observe, leaving it to port. The Beneteau First 40.7v2 racer-cruiser is our ride this month. This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have 13 days and 11 hours to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #2008
INFOby brainaid.de
First 40.7v2 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
28 February at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Feb 15th 12:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

San Diego Islands Race 2026


Sailonline is proud to once again partner with the San Diego Yacht Club for the annual Islands Race! This iconic offshore challenge spans approximately 140 nautical miles, starting in Long Beach, rounding the Catalina Islands, and finishing in San Diego. Shifting coastal winds and tactical island roundings will test every sailor’s judgment and nerve.

This year, our SOLers will race the Ker 40, a proven high-performance design by Jason Ker and built by McConaghy Boats. Fast, responsive, and demanding, the Ker 40 rewards precision and smart strategy. The competition will be tight. Every decision will count. See you on the start line!
Race #2009
INFO by brainaid.de
Ker 40 PARTICULARS
NAM_AWIP WX Updates:
0245 / 0845 / 1445 / 2045
Ranking:
SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Feb 13th 20:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Cross the Convergence 2026 - Samoa to Hawaii


The second race of our new series of ocean voyages across the World’s convergence zones, takes us northward again up the Pacific Ocean, now from Samoa at 13.5 degrees South, across the Equator to Hawaii, famed for its breaking surf and active volcanoes, on the edge of the Tropic of Cancer at 19.5 degrees North. It’s 2300nm, so we’ll take our very steady Steinlager II. Race #1982
INFOby brainaid.de
Steinlager IIPARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: CCZ - SYC
Race starts: Feb 06th 18:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Beketov by Balloon 2026 - In Siberia


Way-back-when France and England, and Spain as well, were squabbling about who should control what of North America, only to lose the most of it to their own insurging colonists, their eastern European neighbour empire, Russia, was quietly assimilating vast, thinly nomadically populated territory of its own – Siberia! Amongst the many explorers and adventurers that served Russia so well in these conquests was the Cossack hetman Pyotr Beketov. Let’s pretend we’re he and eschewing horseback, let’s travel by balloon from Yekaterinberg to Krasnoyarsk – just a short 2000km (1100nm) section of the Trans-Siberian Express’ 9289km!
Race #1972
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: BOL - SYC
Race starts: Feb 03rd 13:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

West Papua to Oregon 2026

Our next race in our Ocean Championships is the first of a series of great natural migrations we will track in 2026. The leatherback turtle is the most widely distributed marine reptile on planet Earth, and chooses to breed in warm tropical waters, but prefers to forage in more temperate habitats, travelling thousands and thousands of miles effortlessly annually to maintain this way of life. Our race will follow one of the typical trips of this turtle, from breeding grounds in the seas off West Papua to the coast of Oregon. It’s only 5900nm, so to keep up, but in comfort, we’ll follow in our Gunboat 90.
Race #2006
INFO by brainaid.de
GB 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ1 - OCCH - MIG - SYC
Race starts: Feb 02nd 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

SYC members have the benefit of access to our mobile/lightweight web client!

The mobile client