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 » Race proposals » Bora experience

Posted by
Zorba777


Users avatar

Posts
67
Registered at
2020-06-06 08:22:54
2020-10-12 06:49:24 - Bora experience
Just a thought. There could be some races that introduce SOLers to very specific types of local winds. As an example I made a little course in the Adriatic sea, which is well known for its bora winds.

There is a long list of local winds that could be used as the theme for similar races:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_local_winds

***

Bora tends to blow most strongly during the winter months and can reach speeds above 200 km/h. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bora_(wind)

This proposed race starts in Venice, turns around Cres island in front of Rijeka, and finishes at the seaport town of Ploče.
Something for SOLers that like to navigate between islands.

The course is about 270 NM. Could be done as a weekend race. Or as a timed race with a fast catamaran. Catching the right time window when bora winds set in would not be easy and some really fast times could be set in the right wind conditions.
Attachments
Posted by
SimeMali


Users avatar

Posts
26
Registered at
2014-05-21 07:14:19
2021-01-03 10:26:50 - Re: Bora experience
Zorba, thanks for proposal and thanks for made it virtual.
IRL, no one really wants "bora experience" :-)

Yes, there are stronger winds and much higher seas in the world, but what's specific here is nearly 2000 m high mountain range separating warm Mediterranean coast line from much colder inland.
Thus, especially in winter, when Genoa Low has passed eastward and cold Arctic air comes behind, it rushes down hillsides with gale force.
But the most dangerous is 'reful', a wind blast that falls from all the way above, hits surface and spreads in any direction from NW to SE, without any warning or sign. In 150-160 km/h NE 'bura', such blast can easily reach over 200 km/h. On sea, that rip off sails, break mast or capsize boat.
So, the only reasonable action IRL, when hurricane 'bura' is forecasted, is to find a good shelter along SW coast of some island, double and secure your moorings, go down to the galley and open a bottle of some excelent Dalmatian red wine, and for the next 24-48 hours listen the wind screaming through shrouds.
Virtually, this should be fun, with just one more thing...

I'm strongly suggesting to move finish line from Ploče (not so exciting port town) to the other side of Pelješac peninsula and a bit further, in front of Dubrovnik city walls.
That way we got a race that also connects two jewels of the Adriatic!
Ibis redibis numquam in mare peribis
Posted by
Zorba777


Users avatar

Posts
67
Registered at
2020-06-06 08:22:54
2021-01-04 13:43:30 - Re: Bora experience
Excellent suggestion for Dubrovnik finish. That's where more local knowledge is useful. I will adapt the route accordingly.
As for real Bora experience, I have seen some videos and it looks really rough. But that's one of the advantages of virtual sailing races, we can do routes that would be highly dangerous, if not impossible to do, IRL.

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Chesapeake and Potomac TIMED Race 2026

Welcome to the Chesapeake Bay, the sailing capital of the United States. Feast on Maryland crab cakes or crabs seasoned with Old Bay spice before sailing down the Bay aboard a Formula 18 catamaran on a 128 nm course that will take you up the Potomac River finishing at Quantico, Virginia. 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 #2032
INFOby brainaid.de
Formula 18 catamaran Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
23 May at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: May 10th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Tobruk to Iskenderun 2026

Welcome to the fourth of our nine races across the length and breadth of the Magical Mediterranean Sea, and the second that is not in partnership with a real-life event, this time for good reason, which we won’t get into here. From Tobruk to Iskenderun it’s 670nm in length, with the added complication that the island of Cyprus will be in your way. Hoping, possibly forlornly, for plenty of downwind sailing, we’ll take the Lagoon 55 for the voyage!
Race #1976
INFO by brainaid.de
Lagoon 55 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SYC
Race starts: May 05th 15:00 Registration Closed

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Tasmania to Kamchatka 2026

Welcome to yet another all-new route. Tasmania to Kamchatka, part of our Ocean Championship and also the third leg of the ROW (Round the Old World) series. Be aware of the obstacles on the way, likely to split the fleet. It's like X:mas to X:mas, crossing the same waters, navigating the same archipelagos. This second race of OCQ2 2026 will be sailed in our revised 'version 2' Imoca 60 Foil. Race #2031
INFO by brainaid.de
Imoca 60 Foil v2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - ROW - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: May 04th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member sassy63

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client