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 » Starting points for races and practice races

Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2013-12-14 15:42:31 - Starting points for races and practice races
May I suggest a change in the choices of the locations of race starts. Instead of starts in the open ocean, could they be located reasonably close to the obvious port or harbour?
I realize that some sailors are starting on DCs, at times when they cannot be at their computers, and therefore have objected to "in harbour" starts, and I am not suggesting this.
Starting in the open ocean impacts the practice races, as it reduces the PR courses to pure geometric exercises. Usually there are no islands or channels that can be included in the PR courses, and this is frankly a bit boring. Merely setting a course from mark to mark results often in processions of boats on the same track.
The current Hawai PR course is an example of this problem--it gives little choice of course, and therefore little exercise to the mind.....
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
A2


Users avatar

Posts
347
Registered at
2009-10-26 00:39:42
2013-12-14 17:08:56 - Re: Starting points for races and practice races
With all due respect to Rod & other Practice Racers who may hold this point of view let me say that this would be an example of the Tail wagging the Dog.

In the particular case of no obvious obstacles to fashion courses from the opportunity does exist to utilize the weather as the key element of the course.

I am suggesting a triangular Olympic style course that emphasizes Upwind/Downwind legs which does offer competitive racing.

The orientation of the marks to the wind direction could be deferred until the most recent Wx update is in place. The starting point could be predetermined & the course aligned as needed. The distance of the legs could then accommodate whatever wind speed is available to yield the desired duration.

None so blind

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Bluefin Tuna - Mexico Gulf to North Sea 2026

Join us and follow the Bluefin Tuna, as they migrate from their spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico to their feeding grounds in the North Sea off the coast of Norway. This 4300 nm race is part of our Ocean Championship and the final race of OCQ2 2026, and also the second leg of our Migration series. We will be sailing in our Gunboat 90. Race #2035
INFO by brainaid.de
Gunboat 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - MIG - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: Jun 08th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Thessaloniki to Port Said 2026

Welcome back to the Eastern Mediterranean for the fifth race of our Magical Mediterranean Series. Only marginally less unlikely to be ever raced in real life during SOL’s lifetime than our previous race from Tobruk to Iskenderun, this 710nm race takes us from Greece’s ancient northern port of Thessaloniki through the Aegean island maze, south east into the Levantine Sea to a finish in modern Port Said, in splendid Swan 65s!
Race #1977
INFO by brainaid.de
Swan 65 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SYC
Race starts: Jun 06th 15:00 Registration Open!

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

TuziTekwini TIMED Race 2026

Sailonline is delighted to have been invited again to partner with the King Shaka Yacht Club (KSYC) of South Africa to bring a virtual version of the Tuzi Tekwini Ocean Raceto our online community.
The Tuzi Tekwini Ocean Race is a near 90 nautical mile race down the east coast of South Africa from the port of Richards Bay to the port of Durban. Achievable in a single day and seen by some as an easy mile-builder, the course is more tactical than some think and should not be underestimated. This iconic race promises to be an unforgettable experience for yachting enthusiasts.
Our online version of the race will be a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have two weeks to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #2037
INFOby brainaid.de
Sailonline’s virtual yacht for all your runs will be our much-loved Farr 38 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
13 June at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: May 31st 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member HoratioPugwash
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  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