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Board » Flag Officers » Start times

Posted by
Dingo


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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


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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


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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


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2017-10-10 10:42:00 - Re: Start times
Thanks Richard.
Posted by
SimeMali


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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


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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


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

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