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Board » Flag Officers » Race proposals » Bora experience

Posted by
Zorba777


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2020-06-06 08:22:54
2020-10-12 06:49:24 - Bora experience
Just a thought. There could be some races that introduce SOLers to very specific types of local winds. As an example I made a little course in the Adriatic sea, which is well known for its bora winds.

There is a long list of local winds that could be used as the theme for similar races:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_local_winds

***

Bora tends to blow most strongly during the winter months and can reach speeds above 200 km/h. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bora_(wind)

This proposed race starts in Venice, turns around Cres island in front of Rijeka, and finishes at the seaport town of Ploče.
Something for SOLers that like to navigate between islands.

The course is about 270 NM. Could be done as a weekend race. Or as a timed race with a fast catamaran. Catching the right time window when bora winds set in would not be easy and some really fast times could be set in the right wind conditions.
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Posted by
SimeMali


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2014-05-21 07:14:19
2021-01-03 10:26:50 - Re: Bora experience
Zorba, thanks for proposal and thanks for made it virtual.
IRL, no one really wants "bora experience" :-)

Yes, there are stronger winds and much higher seas in the world, but what's specific here is nearly 2000 m high mountain range separating warm Mediterranean coast line from much colder inland.
Thus, especially in winter, when Genoa Low has passed eastward and cold Arctic air comes behind, it rushes down hillsides with gale force.
But the most dangerous is 'reful', a wind blast that falls from all the way above, hits surface and spreads in any direction from NW to SE, without any warning or sign. In 150-160 km/h NE 'bura', such blast can easily reach over 200 km/h. On sea, that rip off sails, break mast or capsize boat.
So, the only reasonable action IRL, when hurricane 'bura' is forecasted, is to find a good shelter along SW coast of some island, double and secure your moorings, go down to the galley and open a bottle of some excelent Dalmatian red wine, and for the next 24-48 hours listen the wind screaming through shrouds.
Virtually, this should be fun, with just one more thing...

I'm strongly suggesting to move finish line from Ploče (not so exciting port town) to the other side of Pelješac peninsula and a bit further, in front of Dubrovnik city walls.
That way we got a race that also connects two jewels of the Adriatic!
Ibis redibis numquam in mare peribis
Posted by
Zorba777


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2020-06-06 08:22:54
2021-01-04 13:43:30 - Re: Bora experience
Excellent suggestion for Dubrovnik finish. That's where more local knowledge is useful. I will adapt the route accordingly.
As for real Bora experience, I have seen some videos and it looks really rough. But that's one of the advantages of virtual sailing races, we can do routes that would be highly dangerous, if not impossible to do, IRL.

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