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 » Start times

Posted by
Dingo


Users avatar

Posts
94
Registered at
2013-03-09 04:23:58
2017-10-06 00:14:29 - Start times
Hi, I am seeking your thoughts on start times. Whilst I understand that some start times are set by a buddy-up, and perhaps logistically with the Timed Races, I am wondering why some other races start some 30 minutes before a WX update (eg The Valetta race).

Given that we have SOLers spread across many many time zones, this practice almost certainly ensures quite a few SOLers need to not only get up at two or three in the morning, but further, have to stay awake for another half an hour and re-do all their DCs to cope with the new WX.

If however the race started 30 minutes after the WX, the problem would disappear. Maybe there is some other reason for races to start 30 minutes before a WX and I have missed it.

cheers
Dingo
Posted by
JB


Users avatar

Posts
305
Registered at
2013-03-07 08:54:34
2017-10-06 07:37:41 - Re: Start times
Good morning John and all.

I understand quite well John’s claim about some SOL races Start times and If I may, I’ll extend it to all SOL races that (eventually) Start 0,5 hr before the next programed WF releases (in UTC: 10:30 hrs; 16.30 hrs; 22:30 hrs and 04:30 hrs).

Without any reasonable reason/s for scheduling SOL Start races for those hours - again, 0,5 hr before the next programed WF - the recommendable would be to delay the Start to 0,5 hr after the WF's release hours, at least.

That is my suggestion.
Now, if it is doable, I really don’t know.
Anyhow, I expect from SRC a statement about it, please.

João/psail
Sail Fair.
Posted by
Go4iT


Users avatar

Posts
130
Registered at
2011-03-14 23:58:15
2017-10-10 09:13:28 - Re: Start times
Thank you for raising the matter of start times with respect to Wx times. I will refer it to SRC as we develop the programme for 2018.
Posted by
Dingo


Users avatar

Posts
94
Registered at
2013-03-09 04:23:58
2017-10-10 10:42:00 - Re: Start times
Thanks Richard.
Posted by
SimeMali


Users avatar

Posts
26
Registered at
2014-05-21 07:14:19
2017-10-14 08:51:16 - Re: Start times
Hi SOLers!

I'd like to offer somehow different view on this. With start 0.5 hr before new WX, skipper have 5.5 hrs window for routing, confusion, rerouting, decisions, DC setting, a cup of coffee with doubts, DC re-setting etc. Or simply set DCs and go to work/bed, returning to race for new WX. However, he/she can be sure for boat's course for the first 0.5 hr of the race, even with DCs set 5 hrs earlier, with no unpleasant surprises.

We all have to get up at least once in the night for the new WX anyway (in longer races), but with start time 0.5 hr after WX, skippers get only that 0.5 hr for all mentioned above, and all prior considerations and DCs already set would become useless.

Me think it's rather to have known accurate WX conditions on start 5.5 hrs before than only 0.5 hr, while have to check new WX anyhow. And that leaves more opportunity for SOLers to find the time and set start DCs, if needed.

With start right after new WX, that opportunity is limited, and if skipper is unable to go online inside this 0.5 hr window before the start, that can be major handicap in this crucial part of race.

Fair winds all!

Mladen/SimeMali
Ibis redibis numquam in mare peribis
Posted by
JB


Users avatar

Posts
305
Registered at
2013-03-07 08:54:34
2017-10-17 10:45:09 - Re: Start times
Good morning Mladen and all.

To my mind the “routing” purposes doesn’t exhausts in the unique, if not ultimate task of establishing “DC’s”.
Far from it and, even more IRL.

Not all SOLers (most probably, the majority) wake up in the middle of their “nights”/sleeps for re-routing in function of new WF’s releases. I included.
Off course, there’s a natural and self-accepted reduction in what concerns the level of competitiveness - for routers and non-ones that sleep.
Even so, you can still win (some) races.

Speaking from my own experience.
In a normal race preps (and when time is available) I’ll make at least #4 routings for each of “my” daytime WF release hours (10:30 hrs and 18:30 hrs, both UTC) to cover aprox. the last 48 hrs pre-race moments.
For obvious reasons, those routings very rarely define the effective “Start” DC’s to be used.

One thing, independently of day/night time, is to mobilize yourself two times in a short period of 0,5-1 hr for the task of, routing, and/or define and input DC’s.
The other, with just one intervention, knowing also you have some “stability” in your choices till the next WF in 5-6 hrs to come.

Exception made to light Wind race conditions, usually there’s some continuity in what concerns successive WF’s and corresponding routings results, i.e., there aren’t “step jumps” happening on the HDG’s you’ll have to sail. Anyhow, there’s always the TWA option for those situations, which seems to be an extended preference for SOLers, namely for reaching/keeping VMG, Up & Down targets, and also for “Start” purposes when there’s open waters in the course to be sailed.

João/psail
Sail Fair.
Posted by
Dingo


Users avatar

Posts
94
Registered at
2013-03-09 04:23:58
2017-10-19 10:17:40 - Re: Start times
I think Simemali has made some good points. :)

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Sinbad by Balloon 2025 - Carnarvon to Dondra


From here, our home in Bharatavarṣa is now north west of us – said Sinbad to his fellow balloonists. Perhaps we can ride the wind first further north, and then catch the winds that every year bring the rain, perhaps not. It’s 2600nm and we could be aloft awhile, so, Master el-Quarters, victuals only, no sandbags, provisioning the giant hamper. It will be not a picnic!
Race #1886
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - SBB
Race starts: Oct 15th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Alicante TIMED Race 2025

Welcome to beautiful Alicante on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Dine on some local tapas and paella before racing your America’s Cup foiling winged-sail AC72 catamaran on this 208nm race out to and around Isla de Formentera returning to Alicante after rounding the mark at Cap de la Nau. There should be some very fast times! This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto 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 #1958
INFOby brainaid.de
AC72v2 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ4 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
25 October at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Oct 12th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Marion Island to Fernando de Noronha 2025

The adventure continues as we launch the next to last leg of the RWW series. This leg takes us from Marion Island to Fernando de Noronha, an island in the world heritage archipelago with the same name, 220 nm off the coast of Brazil. This race doubles up as #7 of RWW and #10 of OCCH. A 4400 nm journey of endurance, strategy and pure adrenaline. The RWW series is as whole, part of the 2025 ocean championship. Get ready for this exhilarating challenge as we set sail on the third to last leg of the 2025 Ocean Championship Series! This leg will be raced aboard the Judel Vrolijk 62, pushing sailors to their limits as they navigate the open ocean. Do you have what it takes to conquer the Southern Atlantic? Join us and put your skills to the ultimate test!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1955
INFO by brainaid.de
JV 62 PARTICULARS    
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230    
Ranking: OCQ4 - RWW - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Oct 06th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Camel or Balloon - Khartoum to N'Djamena


As there is a lull in the calendar, your PRO has decided to risk an experiment – a balloon race over land, using a workaround to eliminate the recognition of water/land transitions. If it fails, the server may crash, and we abandon PDQ, hopefully after leg 7 of the ABS race to Suez has been decided, and before the start of the 1st OCC of Q4. Camel or Balloon – c 1000 nm from a field on the north bank of the Blue Nile at Khartoum to a field on the north bank of the Chari River at N'Djamena!
Race #1956
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: none
RACE CLOSE: Sunday,
October 26 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Sep 28th 09:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client