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 » Race proposals » Balloon Transat

Page: 1 2 3 Next

Posted by
76Trombones


Users avatar

Posts
362
Registered at
2009-08-03 18:04:56
2013-01-15 17:35:16 - Balloon Transat


Low-altitude Montgolfier race from Newfoundland to France. 1nm finish line, race to be scored normally with rankings fixed via dtf at race close.

Suggested race start for Fri//Sat with race close at midnight the following Sat.



Limited ability to steer, but we're equipped with anchors and many other SOL necessities for use during unfavourable wind, or when close to the finish. Routing isn't impossible, but it's tricky.

FAQ
Q: This race opened on the 31st - Isn't April Fool's on Monday?
A: Our mistake!

Q: So it's a joke then?
A: Oh, yes absolutely! It should be a fun race though. We have no idea how it will turn out.

Q: Why is the finish line so small? Wouldn't it be easier to finish if it was really long?
A: IRL Balloon racing is usually a test of accuracy instead of speed, trying to drop markers as close as possible to the goal. It's entirely likely that no boats will actually be able to cross the line, so it should really be considered the centre of a giant bull's-eye. Get as close as you can and then drop anchor. If the wind shifts you might be able to nudge closer. Maybe we could try a long-line race later - dateline in the Pacific always calls...

Q: How do we steer this thing?
A: There's limited ability to steer across the wind, but for big changes in direction you might need to wait for the wind to shift. Slow down or anchor.

Q: Anchor?
A: TWA=0

Q: Balloons can't steer!
A: This one can. It's part boat.

Q: Why can't we use winds at different altitudes?
A: Have you seen the picture? It would be crazy to fly any higher than 10m.

Q: "You can't get there from here!"
A: That's entirely possible within the constraints of the race. Given enough time and enough rum nothing's impossible. Get as close as you can!

Q: Can we fly over land?
A: Just spits, sandbars and really thin islands. Standard SOL sailing applies.


--- Last Edited by 76Trombones at 2013-04-08 13:37:09 ---
Attachments
Posted by
Tyger / Robert Neilson


Users avatar

Posts
108
Registered at
2012-05-28 15:07:00
2013-01-15 23:47:27 - Re: Balloon Transat
That looks like a challenge. A bit of anchor time to get some sleep. I can imagine some weird tracks following boats/balloons. Got me.
“We may have arrived on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now!” Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted by
76Trombones


Users avatar

Posts
362
Registered at
2009-08-03 18:04:56
2013-01-16 16:51:46 - Re: Balloon Transat
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2013-01-16 17:41:44 - Re: Balloon Transat
Maybe we could make this a fun (non-SYC ranking) race and have a choice between the balloon and.... a type of boat that could be reasonably competitive with a ballon with a following wind?
Posted by
Tyger / Robert Neilson


Users avatar

Posts
108
Registered at
2012-05-28 15:07:00
2013-01-17 00:59:49 - Re: Balloon Transat
OOOOOOH....I just ran the balloon flight forecasting tool. I don't think a UIM Class 1 powerboat would be able to keep up with the balloon. Low coeff of drag + jet stream speeds at altitude of 5K to 8K metres = HIGH SPEED!! This race may be long in distance but it could be over in 2 days. Is this right or have I missed something?
“We may have arrived on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now!” Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted by
76Trombones


Users avatar

Posts
362
Registered at
2009-08-03 18:04:56
2013-01-17 01:29:19 - Re: Balloon Transat
We're limited to 10m winds in SOL. It's still pretty fast :-D
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2013-01-17 10:19:03 - Re: Balloon Transat
I love the idea of a balloon BUT as SOL is a sailing site there may be objections to not having a sailing component, hence my suggestion of a "wessel choice" (balloon or boat)... :-D

Maybe the boat should be a regular Transat type... then those who want to sail a Transat can do that while erstwhile balloonists do their thing? How's that?

--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2013-01-17 10:20:37 ---
Posted by
ShamrockPirate


Users avatar

Posts
189
Registered at
2010-12-03 17:49:57
2013-01-21 02:12:20 - Re: Balloon Transat
Brilliant and innovative, 76T!!
Keeping things fresh and interesting is the goal and this is BOTH!!

Well Done and count me in!!

SP
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2013-03-26 08:24:34 - Re: Balloon Transat
I spotted this being mentioned in NYC-SFO race chat and... folks are right, we should "go for it" as a bit of a laugh.

When would be a good time to run it? After NYC-SFO is finished or does it not really matter as it is so off-the-wall?

:-)
Posted by
Jawz


Users avatar

Posts
154
Registered at
2009-07-21 09:51:19
2013-03-26 09:28:58 - Re: Balloon Transat
Great Idea! Now all we need is two sets of weather data, one for 0 - 5000m, another for 5000 - 8000m. This will really make it 3 dimensional and even bigger a challenge :)

Page: 1 2 3 Next

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Falklands to Tasmania 2026

Welcome to yet another all-new route. This next race is part of our Ocean Championship as well as the ROW series. Falklands to Tasmania, is like last year's island to island. It’s one of the longer ones 6400nm, more than half way around the world (and the Antarctica). It starts the 2026 OCQ2, and will be sailed in our Steinlager 2, contrary to prior notice.
Race #2021
INFO by brainaid.de
Steinlager 2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - ROW - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: Apr 06th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race 2026


Sailonline is thrilled to partner with the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club for the 2026 Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race! This 308 nautical mile offshore challenge follows Australia’s stunning east coast from Brisbane to Gladstone. Racing the fast and tactical Farr 40, sailors will need precision, strategy, and focus as shifting conditions test every decision from start to finish!
Race #2027
INFO by brainaid.de
Farr 40 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Apr 03rd 01:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Rapallo to Nador 2026


Welcome to Liguria’s Rapallo, there where Zarathustra spoke - at length - to Nietzsche, for our first race of nine to celebrate all things Mediterranean - fickle winds, history and olive oil. A number of our races in this new Magical Mediterranean series will be partnership with famous real-life races, but this first race is pure fiction - 780nm in refurbed IMOCA 60s, past or through the Balearic Isles and on into the Alboran Sea, to a finish off Nador on the Maroc Mediterranean coast.
Race #1975
INFOby brainaid.de
IMOCA 60v2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SYC
Race starts: Mar 30th 15:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Cross the Convergence 2026 - Guam to Ouvéa


The third race of our series of ocean voyages across the World’s convergence zones takes us southeastward now down the Pacific, from Guam’s Apra Harbour at 13.5 degrees North, back across the Equator to the glorious New Caledonian resort island of Ouvéa, on the edge of the Tropic of Capricorn at 20.5 degrees South. It’s 2400nm, and there’s more than a few other islands in the way, so mind where you go in your Ocean 50s. Race #1981
INFOby brainaid.de
Ocean 50PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: CCZ - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Tuesday,
April 7 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Mar 20th 18:00 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 rafa
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member sassy63

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client