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Board » General Discussion » RESPECT FOR VOLUNTEERS

Hi SOLers !

Sailonline Management have seen, during the recent past, a sizeable surge of criticism addressed to those who run the platform behind the scenes. SRC has seen the vast majority of such criticism - too many times as utterly inappropriate; I have decided to address the matter.

I take it for granted that everyone at SOL is aware that the Teams working behind the scenes do so in total volunteer mode and only for passion. This does not mean that judgements are always right or that mistakes are impossible, but surely does mean that they deserve our complete respect for what they do.

Constructive criticism is one thing and has always been welcome. Good examples are changes to the rules regarding DC-able starts and finishes during Ocean races and some modifications to the platform features that have come from constructive comments.

Criticism like: “This race has been badly organized because there is no wind” …. OR ….” this boat is too slow for a race with light wind like this one “…. are NON constructive comments, and as such are unacceptable criticism.

Races are planned several months in advance and, with few exceptions (e.g. trade winds) no such long-term prediction of Wx can be assessed in advance. (Our volunteers are neither computers, nor meteorologists).

I have personally seen such sarcastic and disrespectful comments and criticism appearing in race chat.

The objective of this message is to alert that this lack of respect will no longer be accepted, and appropriate action will be taken to preserve the rights of those that want to offer this virtual sailing on SOL waters, to be able to do so in happiness, like those who enjoy the platform.

I will not lose even one volunteer because he/she has been offended on such grounds and I would add that such a public lack of respect also acts to deter any new volunteers who are now, and will forever be, needed for the future.

Piero
Sailonline COO

PS: this thread remains open for comments. The more the better.
Hi Piero and the rest of the admin team.

As a long term Soler, since 2009, let me be the first to say Thank You for the tireless efforts put in to keep my online hobby/stress distraction platform going strong for so many years.

Although I could comment further regarding the matter and only in support of the team. Let me just leave it on a positive note.

I appreciate you all

George (Jawz)
Dear Piero and team of volunteers: I am new and I come from another virtual regatta platform. First of all, I congratulate you for the great task you are doing and of course I fully agree that you should navigate (virtually) with respect and honesty. Thank you Sailonline!!!!!!!!!!!! (Google Translator).

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Races

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Current Races:

Beketov by Balloon 2026 - In Siberia


Way-back-when France and England, and Spain as well, were squabbling about who should control what of North America, only to lose the most of it to their own insurging colonists, their eastern European neighbour empire, Russia, was quietly assimilating vast, thinly nomadically populated territory of its own – Siberia! Amongst the many explorers and adventurers that served Russia so well in these conquests was the Cossack hetman Pyotr Beketov. Let’s pretend we’re he and eschewing horseback, let’s travel by balloon from Yekaterinberg to Krasnoyarsk – just a short 2000km (1100nm) section of the Trans-Siberian Express’ 9289km!
Race #1972
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: BOL - SYC
Race starts: Feb 03rd 13:00 Registration Open!
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West Papua to Oregon 2026

Our next race in our Ocean Championships is the first of a series of great natural migrations we will track in 2026. The leatherback turtle is the most widely distributed marine reptile on planet Earth, and chooses to breed in warm tropical waters, but prefers to forage in more temperate habitats, travelling thousands and thousands of miles effortlessly annually to maintain this way of life. Our race will follow one of the typical trips of this turtle, from breeding grounds in the seas off West Papua to the coast of Oregon. It’s only 5900nm, so to keep up, but in comfort, we’ll follow in our Gunboat 90.
Race #2006
INFO by brainaid.de
GB 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ1 - OCCH - MIG - SYC
Race starts: Feb 02nd 11:00 Registration Open!
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Race to Up Helly Aa 2026

A-OI!!! The fiery spirit of Shetland’s legendary Up Helly Aa returns, and Sailonline’s annual race to Lerwick is once again upon us. Covering 383 nautical miles from Aberdeen, SOLers will tackle winter waters steeped in Viking tradition. This year, we race the classic Frers 33, a proven cruiser-racer born from the golden era of offshore racing and still a sturdy performer both on the virtual and real water. Can you master the course and reach Lerwick in time for the flames?

SAILING NOTE: Gruney may be approached from any direction but must be passed for rounding purposes as indicated on the chart.
Race #2005
INFO by brainaid.de
Frers 33 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SYC
Race starts: Jan 30th 17:00 Registration Open!
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Red Eye - Hobart Convict Run 2026

Back in 2010, one of our SOLers of the first hour, AUS_Scott76, came up with this ‘Convict Run’ out from Hobart, past Cape Raoul and the penal colony of Port Arthur, round Tasman Island, up and back down the east coast of Tasmania, to finish with a tight technical run – so Scott called it – up the picturesque D'entrecasteaux Channel, home to Hobart once again. It’s 250nm, ideal for a bit of ‘Red Eye’ in comfortable Finngulf 43’s, and if the original idea was to pick up some convicts on the way for a bit of R&R and sea air, you may always drop’m back before returning to Hobart!
Race #2002
INFOby brainaid.de
FG 43 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: RED - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Monday,
February 2 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jan 27th 12:00 Registration Open!
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New Ice Age 2026 - Longyearbyen to Browerville


Although we have by no means exhausted the possibilities of ice boating on lakes at high latitudes or high altitudes, it was noticeable that as our 2025 Series progressed, there were calls from time to time for longer-distance challenges, and so in response to these calls we will pretend that global warming has reversed and as a result the coastal waters of Antarctica and Russia and Canada have fully (and smoothly!) frozen over offering us the possibility of a 4-race New Ice Age series in our trusted no-PL DN machines. Our first leg takes us 2600nm from Svalbard’s Longyearbyen east to North Alaska’s Browerville. You’ll be a few days on the ice, so dress warmly and take some provisions; go!
Race #1968
INFOby brainaid.de
DN PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: NIA - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Monday,
February 2 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jan 22nd 07:00 Registration Closed
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