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1 March 2017


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Welcome to the 2017 running of this epic 4000nm trip following the route taken by the gray whale in its annual spring migration from Mexico to the Bering Sea. This race was originally designed by RainbowChaser, and first run in 2010 – it is intended to celebrate the remarkable life cycle and migration route of the Gray Whale. There is a great deal of information and background contributed in-Forum here.

In 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 we followed the autumn swim down from the icy north to the warm and shallow breeding grounds in the lagoons off Baja California. This time as in 2010 and 2011 we are racing the Spring “mother and calf route” from Mexico up to the Bering Sea.

Reports of plastic pollution being more prevalent than fish in the oceans within decades are on the increase from reputable sources – beachcombing even a square metre produces bags-full of plastic waste – and our precious marine life is more than just endangered with many dead and dying animals being washed up with their stomachs full of plastic which, in the case of balloons and plastic bags, have been mistaken for food, such as jellyfish. So as you race this wonderful migration back to the traditional gray whale feeding grounds in the north Pacific and Bering Sea, please take a moment to consider both the natural and the manmade dangers that beset momma and baby gray whales.

Gray Whale Facts

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Melbourne Osaka Cup Double-Handed Yacht Race 2025

Welcome once again to what these days is Sailonline’s almost annual virtual Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race. In real life, this double-handed 5500 nm race between these two sister cities, one deep in the southern hemisphere, the other high in the northern hemisphere, is run every four to five years, and this year is such a year. So, this year’s online version is in sync with the Melbourne Osaka Cup 2025 organised by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), and the Sandringham (SYC) and Osaka Hokko (OHYC) yacht clubs. We’ll be racing the well-known First 40, a popular size of boat which should be a good match for many of the boats entered in the real race. With the doldrums unavoidably lying across our course, you can expect to be at virtual sea for at least a month!
Race #1669
INFO by brainaid.de
First 40 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Mar 16th 06:00 Registration will open soon

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Lake Ladoga Ice Race


For our second race of the 2025 Ice Yachting series, we shall risk disturbing another sect of monks, these of the Orthodox persuasion rather than Buddhist. Good ice is often found in remote places, and remoteness breeds contemplation, and Valaam Island at 61.3N in the north east corner of Lake Ladogo is as remote as it gets. Surrounded by pristine ice in winter, we find there one of the great monasteries of Russian Orthodoxy. So, get your visa’s, fly to St Petersburg, take the N-121 north to Vladimirovka, and get your DN-skates on for another no-PL monk-minding race, this time of 110nm in length, out around Valaam, then Derevnya, to finish near Berezova.
Race #1851
INFOby brainaid.de
DN PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: DN - SYC
Race starts: Mar 10th 09:00 Registration will open soon
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Walyalup Sprint 2025


Once upon a time, aboriginal legend has it, the country of the Whadjuk people extended west from the present day Fremantle shoreline out to Rottnest island, but Walyalup as they called it was lost to the sea, and this sprint takes you across those inundated lands, round reefs and across shoals, 25nm in a Dufour 34. For the Walyalup, March fell in Bunuru, the hottest season of the year, which meant living near the water. Expect hot easterly winds, and cooling afternoon sea breezes with little to no rain. Perfect weather for a sail.
Race #1897
INFO by brainaid.de
Dufour 34 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SPRQ1 - SPRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Mar 08th 03:00 Registration Open!
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Tristan da Cunha to Coronation Island 2025

The adventure continues as we embark on the second leg of the RWW series, racing from Tristan da Cunha to the remote and uninhabited Coronation Island, NO, Elephant Island. Nestled between the Scotia Sea and the Weddell Sea, both island were named by 19th C British whalers. Prepare for a thrilling journey through the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties, where relentless winds and challenging seas will test the mettle of every crew. This leg will be sailed aboard the historically iconic Steinlager II and is part of the prestigious OCCH 2025 series. The RWW series ranking will be determined by each team's best 7 out of 8 race results, so every moment counts! Are you ready to face the ultimate test of skill and endurance?
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1890
INFO by brainaid.de
Steinlager II PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ1 - RWW - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Mar 03rd 11:00 Registration Open!
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San Diego Islands Race 2025


Sailonline is proud to once again team up with the San Diego Yacht Club for the annual Islands Race! This 140nm course will take our SOLers from Long Beach, around the Catalina Islands, and down to San Diego, testing skill, strategy, and precision.

This year, we’re racing in the sleek and powerful Ker 40, a high-performance yacht built for speed. With shifting winds and tactical routing, every decision will count as you battle for victory.

The competition is fierce—the race is on! See you at the start line!
Race #1881
INFO by brainaid.de
Ker 40 PARTICULARS
NAM_AWIP WX Updates:
0245 / 0845 / 1445 / 2045
Ranking: SYC
RACE CLOSE: Friday,
March 7 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Feb 28th 20:30 Registration Closed
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Sinbad by Balloon 2025 - Dondra to Toamasina


Above you see a stratospheric balloon, that if only we had gribs at that altitude would get blasted along quite rapidly and predictably. Alas we just have our SOL balloon that sails rather lower to the sea and that we have crossed the Atlantic in, west to east, last year for the first time in the southern hemisphere. So much fun was had by all, that this year we will attempt the Indian Ocean, but in four legs. Another great piece of fiction, the voyages of Sinbad By Balloon not magic carpet, although you may need a bit of magic to make any progress at times. Pack your wicker basket full for your first leg of at least 2300nm from Sri Lanka to Madagascar; it’s not a picnic hamper, you could be in the air for longer than you hoped!
Race #1883
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - SBB
RACE CLOSE: Tuesday,
March 18 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Feb 05th 11:00 Registration Closed
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