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Board » General Discussion » RTW 2017/18 Courses

Just a question as I know there has been some discussion around this but the course for the first leg seemed to be very protracted in comparison to the IRL course. Whilst I fully appreciate legal variations need to be implemented im not sure that it needed to be quite as protracted as it was. Is it possible to indicate if the next legs and following ones will (even if our start is delayed) be more following the IRL race or additional variations will be added. SOl is great and I will do every race but this leg rather put a dampner on something I was looking forward to doing. Many thanks Tim (Pocket Rocket)
I believe leg 1 of SWR was inspired by an IRL course that was in fact never sailed, I think because the race organisers opted for a different course based on the weather forecast. In my own opinion, our SWR leg 1 wasn't really the typical ocean race leg, but having seen the course for leg 2 (admin perks :) ), the next leg will definitely be the typical Southern Europe to South Africa ocean race. And although I'm not part of SRC, I'm pretty sure the other longer legs of our SWR will be implemented as round the world races are typically done. For the shorter legs I'm sure SRC will also look around for IRL course designs, but since start and finish may not be that far apart, there may not be one single 'typical' course, and SRC will need to make a choice as to what sort of course they want to design before things like weather forecasts are available. This is where we are different from IRL race organisers: we can't do last minute changes (based on weather or whatever), because there are just too many sailors on our races, and almost none have sol as their full time job.
Dear Pocket Rocket and all the rest of you.
I have voluntered to set up all the legs of this SWR 17/18 race. and I can assure you that the rest of the legs in this race will follow the IRL legs as close as possible, and I mean Ice barriers, way points and all. The reason that Leg 1 was constructed as it was, was that the IRL organisers had set up 4 different courses to choose from, following the weather conditions on the start day. I (and the SRC) couldn't in anyway know which one would be chosen, so the decision was, that we made our own.. It is my hope that we will not be in this situation again, and as I mentioned, I will do anything in my power to make the rest of this race as close to reality as possible.
Hi all and many thanks for the replies and the detailed info given and I can fully understand the dilema that was faced before the start. Please dont see my comments as a moan as it was not I (and im sure I speak for all SOLERS) are very very grateful for the time and dedication that you give to make sure we have a SOL and without you it would not exist. It was however as im sure you agree a horrible leg where the weather just went against going anywhere. Great news on the balance of the legs and I look forward to the usual fun and competitive racing. Thanks again for all that you do. PR

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