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 » Ocean Race starts

Posted by
Dingo


Users avatar

Posts
94
Registered at
2013-03-09 04:23:58
2020-03-05 03:19:22 - Ocean Race starts
Hi SRC. Just a comment on the ocean race starts. Some time ago there was a ruling on SRC designed ocean races that: 'The start will be placed in such a way as to enable a clear and uncomplicated start to the race.'

I'm writing in reference to the upcoming Lisbon Capetown race, though my comments could also be applied to a number of other recent races. Most races start somewhere between 17:00 and 19:00 (unless tied to real race times) which for many of us around the world (N and S hemispheres) is the middle of the night.

Regardless of start time, people somewhere around the world will not be able to check the WX before the race start. This I assume is the reason behind the ruling about 'clear and uncomplicated' race starts.

The Lisbon race course positions the start some 5nm up a narrow harbour entrance only 0.6 nm wide. This will be virtually impossible to navigate in a fast catamaran, especially if into a head wind, by DCs off an outdated WX.

For the sake of 5nms in a 5000nm race, it would make a huge difference to many SOLers if it had been moved just 5nm down the channel.
No doubt too late for change now, but to encourage participation in these races it would help if these ocean races started according to the racing criteria.

cheers
Dingo

--- Last Edited by Dingo at 2020-03-05 03:20:28 ---

--- Last Edited by Dingo at 2020-03-05 03:28:11 ---

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

PIC Coastal Classic Yacht Race 2026

Kia Ora, SOLers! Welcome back to Auckland for the 2026 PIC Coastal Classic! In partnership with the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club, Sailonline is thrilled to bring you this iconic 118nm legendary sprint to Russell.

Expect the unexpected on this tricky course up the North Island's East Coast—from adrenaline-fueled spinnaker rides to nail-biting pre-dawn lulls. This year, we take on the elements in the highly popular Seacart 30. Designed by Marc Lombard, this nimble trimaran features a challenging polar that rewards pure tactical precision.

Chart your course, conquer the coastal currents, and race for ultimate bragging rights! Upon crossing the finish line in scenic Russell, the traditional reward of bacon butties and rum awaits!
Race #2067
INFO by brainaid.de
Seacart 30 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - SUPBUD - RED
Race starts: Oct 23rd 22:30 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Mad Max by Balloon 2026 - Across the Outback


Mad Max Rockatansky doesn’t get to go in a balloon in any of the Legends of the Wasteland, and the Wasteland is not necessarily the Outback of Australia, but Mel Gibson and film director George Miller indubitably are… of Australia, and ballooning as reconnaissance is a main feature of the Mad Max spin-off video game, so here goes: 1500nm in a balloon from somewhere on the edge of the Outback, Goondiwindi, to cross a finish line at Fitzroy Crossing, somewhere on the edge of the Outback!
Race #1974
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: BOL - SYC
Race starts: Oct 14th 13:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Valdes Peninsula TIMED Race 2026

October finds us on the Argentina coast for the Valdes Peninsula race. A UNESCO World Heritage Site the peninsula is a breeding ground for southern right whales. Sail the luxurious blue water Delphia 47 around a 160 nm course in an attempt to turn in the fastest time.
This is 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 #2066
INFOby brainaid.de
PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ4 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
24 October at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Oct 11th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Arctic Tern - Greenland to Antarctica 2025

Welcome to the fifth leg of our MIG series. Now it's time to race the Arctic Terns, on their migration from Greenland to Antarctica, 8300 NM. This is also part of our monthly Ocean Championship, and as such the first race of OCQ4 2026. This race will be sailed in our Maxi Trimaran. Race #2061
INFO by brainaid.de
Maxi Trimaran PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230 Ranking:
OCQ4 - OCCH - SYC - MIG
Race starts: Oct 05th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rthinman
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member ita10267

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client