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 » Rules and Decisions » “Clause 4” and ISAF rule #69.

Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

João, I hear you. I don't agree completely on some details, but in general: yes, to make some unwanted software impossible, availability of data needs to be limited. This needs to be addressed at sol's side (the server), and may have large (negative) consequences, but eventually, it is the way to go.

For now however, the only legal way to follow a boat, is to have a human present at all times. Software may read the data from other boats (it is available), but it may not send commands by itself, a human needs to to this. It may still be possible to have software take over the human role here, but at least this is plain illegal from 2017 on.
gone

--- Last Edited by sol at 2017-12-22 16:07:34 ---
Viva Huib and all.

Again, thank you for your comments on this subject.

It seems an (immediate) impossibility to SOL engine crypt boat’s data.
Off course, if this was already implemented we wouldn’t be here by now, at least discussing this subject.

Concerning this issue, the actual SOL policy, to which I profoundly disagree and already explained why, still is:

A - To allow during races boats live data public disclosure;
B - No interest in return to the former status of data public disclosure only in TS periods of 1 hr.

Anyhow, as SOL policy and also Markku’s one won’t change, I have the following suggestions:

1 - Access to the http://sol.hmm.iki.fi/sollog/races/ only by means of COMPULSORY LOGGING using the same SOL boat credentials per boat (user name/”boat name” and password);

2 - Live information (pls see Note under) of all SOL boats LOGGED to each running race live data;

3 - Live information of all SOL boats (pls see Note under) that WERE LOGGED to each running race live data;

4 - For each boat, and for clarity purposes let’s say, boat “A”, live information (pls see Note under) of all the boats that ARE ACCESING that particular boat “A” live data information.

Note: Name of the boat and time period of boats data collecting.

If someone is getting my live boat data info, I’m entitled and have the right to know who is.

Implement this actions and I assure you some interesting surprises on the upcoming races.

A Big Hug

João / psail
Sail Fair.
It may be possible to break the rule (which is why it's a rule, if it's impossible to break the rule (like "you may not go faster than the boatspeed given in the polar"), there would be no need to write it down), but breaking the rule can be detected and has serious consequences. The rule can be enforced, but at this stage it requires manual investigation. Just like the boatsitting rules.

It may be possible to have multiple boatsitters, but it is still illegal, and when we find out you'll be disqualified for the race.

It may be possible to have self steering software, but it is still illegal, and when we find out you'll be disqualified for the race (at the least, it may be worse)

------

You have to understand, this new rule is not a direct response to the problems with having live and precise data, it is not meant to target this one specific problem, it is meant to target a wider range of (potential) problems, it bans all software that steer the boat without human intervention.

This is not sol's final solution to the problems with live and precise data, if it is even a solution to this problem. Different solution(s) will need to come to solve this specific problem, solutions like JB is describing.

--- Last Edited by kroppyer at 2017-01-02 00:51:52 ---
Happy new year to y'all.
quick thoughts, again I really don't share Joao's concerns...

1. All I see in Joao's PDFs is boats sailing VMG on TWA which is perfectly normal. Plus some noise from hmm's weather being sourced differently.

2. If you want to show foul play, use "compare stats". Robot sailing should be really obvious on that one.

3. Again I don't see how data logging would be particularly useful. Simply because pretty much everything can be easily extrapolated.

4. And amazing tactical analytics would be effort. Time spent on the go-fast problem, worth it. Monumental time spent on letting the computer do tactics? I wouldn't, benefits would be dubious, and tactics is the gameplay for me anyhow.

5. One could ask whether the forecast wind should be absolute... I say it should, because that's the requirement for set-and-forget router use, and having actual wind different from forecast would make a (now illegal) steering robot necessary.

6. One could ask what's the difference between follow and cover... Cover is a legit tactic, and to follow is frowned upon, but where is the difference? There is a difference, but it's somewhat ill defined.
Viva Huib and outlaw,

Good morning.

New Year and old problems.

For Huib.

Is it possible to establish the logging procedure to hmm’s live data as mentioned in my previous com?

For outlaw.

Do you ever asked yourself why IRL is forbidden to have live access to the other boats data - even with different boats in the same fleet, not mention with One Design classes?

Talking about tactics. You missed (as you don’t n know) the boats relative positions context where/when the RTW live race data was picked, meaning the unique “TWA” conclusion is … somehow reductive.

Knowing that someone is “looking” to your boat, not to mention, monitoring her, is different than not knowing it. Easily you wonder why.
Anyhow, extrapolations on boat data are also different from getting live precise infos from those same boats.

To better feel this issues, please try to make some SOL Sprint races where top 10 arrivals are measured in a few seconds. Try it, and then we can talk again.

A Big Hug to both

João / psail
Sail Fair.
Of course you can force users to log in with sol credential before the get access to hmm's sollog, but
- hmm might not have the time to implement it
- everyone can use sol (or any other anonymous boat)
- computer savy people don't need hmm's sollog to get the data

if you would log who gets the data from the sol server in the first place, you'll see that everyone who's racing gets your boat data. Most people just won't look at the numbers but at the graphical representation of them.

I think the better option would be for sol (the actual source of the data) to only supply data from other boats that is less precise:
- reduce update intervals,
- reduce precision of course,
- reduce precision of position.
Some may be easy to implement, some may be hard to implement, some may have side effects, not all may be needed to achieve the goal.
Viva Huib and all.

Good afternoon.

I see, and quite agree with you.
The former update time (1 hour) was correct and enough, not the actual “almost” live and public data we have.

So, some random induced “noise” on the HDG and BS data (I don’t think the boats positions needs to be “worked”) and increasing the actual period (1 minute) for the boats data update, could be an acceptable provisory solution - at least 15 minutes - if it is (?) doable.

A Big Hug
João / psail
Sail Fair.
gone

--- Last Edited by sol at 2017-12-22 16:08:23 ---
Is the flash-client only receiving and the sol-server indiscriminating sending every 20 seconds all data?
No.

Would it not be possible to build a communication-initiating query into the flash-swf-client on which sol-server starts sending the data only to that logged in client. Not logged in? no data are send about this 'boat'.
This is already the case.

Once an hour all data is broadcasted to all like it is done now.
That's not how it works now.

It would imply a site like hmm's "sol race data centre" would not function anymore.
Being logged in as sol counts.

Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

Regata dell’Accademia Navale 2025

Welcome to Sailonline’s first partnership with the City of Livorno, in cooperation with the local yacht clubs and the Italian Navy, to offer you the online opportunity to race the Regata dell’Accademia Navale. 630nm in length, starting and finishing in Livorno, the race takes you the length and breadth of the Tyrrhenian Sea via Porto Cervo and Capri. Online, you will be sailing a Class 40, which should keep you well in with the top of the real-life fleet which we will be tracking on screen!
Race #1902
INFO by brainaid.de
Class 40 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Apr 25th 16:00 Registration will open soon

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Transat à Deux 2025

Above you see a single-handed sailor semi-foiling his Beneteau Figaro III to the horizon. It is in fact Ireland’s Sailor of the Year and the overall winner of last year’s Solitaire du Figaro, Tom Dolan. Somehow, we got our hands on a polar for the Class, and rather than trying to surreptitiously track Tom and his mates in the 2025 edition of the Solitaire, sailing rather-short, single-handed legs across the Celtic Sea and Biscay, we thought we’d see how our virtual craft would fare on the Class’s double-handed 3900nm Trans-Atlantic, from somewhere in Brittanny to somewhere in the Caribbean via somewhere in the Canaries. Allez, mes braves!
Race #1901
INFOby brainaid.de
Figaro III foil PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Apr 20th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race 2025


Sailonline is thrilled to partner with the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club for the 2025 Gladstone Ports Corporation Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. This 308 nautical mile offshore classic takes our fleet from Brisbane to Gladstone along Australia's stunning east coast. Racing in high-performance Cookson 50s, SOLers will face shifting winds and tactical decisions at every turn. It’s time to test your skills in one of Australia’s most iconic yacht races. See you on the start line!
Race #1904
INFO by brainaid.de
Cookson 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Apr 18th 01:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Bahamas and Back TIMED Race 2025

Welcome to sunny South Florida for this race that has us crossing the Gulf Stream twice. We depart from Palm Beach for a short run over to Freeport, Bahamas then it’s on to Miami before heading to the finish line back in Palm Beach. This is a TIMED race, so you may RE-REGISTER HERE to 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 #1911
INFO by brainaid.de
Santa Cruz 70 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
26 April at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Apr 13th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Sinbad by Balloon 2025 - Toamasina to Baia de l'Oiseau


You may recall that when last we visited Madagascar in the company of Sinbad, the Sultan commanded our intrepid inspirator to seek out fabled islands where in Summer the sun barely set. We did and we returned but the Sultan wasn’t happy with Sinbad’s report, so here we go again, now by SOL Balloon instead of sailing vessel. Expect to be in the air for at least 2100nm and depending on how the wind brings us, anything between two weeks and two months before we shall descend at the Sultan’s given coordinates!
Race #1884
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - SBB
Race starts: Apr 09th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Valparaiso to San Francisco 2025

Get ready for an exhilarating new challenge as we set sail on the fourth leg of the 2025 Ocean Championship Series! Following in the 19th century footsteps of Isabel Allende's heroine, Eliza Sommers, 'Daughter of Fortune', this all-new route takes us across the vast eastern Pacific, from Valparaíso, Chile, to San Francisco, California - a 3500nm journey of endurance, strategy, and pure sailing adrenaline. This leg will be raced aboard the powerful Rapido 60, pushing sailors to their limits as they navigate the open ocean. Do you have what it takes to conquer the Pacific? Join us and put your skills to the ultimate test!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1900
INFO by brainaid.de
Rapido 60 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Apr 07th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

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 CLOSE: Wednesday,
April 23 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Mar 16th 06:00 Registration Closed

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Patrick70119
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member FreyjaUSA
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client