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 » Races » SWR Leg 7

Page: 1 2 Next

The last of the ocean legs of this year's SWR. 3590nm crossing the North Atlantic from Miami to Lisbon. The start and finish are further south than the traditional Atlantic cross ports - will this result in different routes across the pond?

The attached plot was taken 10 hours after the race start. We can see part of the VO70 polar clearly in the fleet which has mostly spread out between N and NE. Those heading north are trying to speed north and are not concerned with the rhumb line (which is ENE).

Traditionally this is the fastest route, where the coast of North America is hugged before heading east towards the UK. Whilst we do not have the advantage of the gulf stream here, this route is still likely to be have faster speeds - but a longer distance.
Attachments
After 30 hours of racing we can see why so many boats were keen to get north as quickly as possible with the attached plot. The cyclone is clearly seen to the NW of the fleet.

Part of the fleet has been left behind, when some light winds ensnared those who were too far east and therefore too slow.

Those who made it this far - and it is quite a large pack - have gybed and are continuing NE. The cyclone is moving in an unpredictable way though, which caught out the real boats with Camper the further north and the worst affected. They lost 25nm on the others in less than 6 hours.

A similar effect has happened here. I gybed slightly too late and have lost some miles on those further south. Those near the centre of the cyclone will lose many more.
Attachments
The leading pack is still relatively tightly bunched after 3 days racing. The cyclone has eased and headed north. This seems to have disrupted the normal weather patterns of the whole North Atlantic.

There are no large depressions crossing the ocean. Indeed, there is little sign of them developing. The cyclone must have sucked out a huge amount of energy.

However, there is a very large front ahead of the fleet. We are all desperately trying to stay in the front, as the wind strength and angle is very favourable. Fall out the back, then you will be forced to gybe north or drift south and will lose ground.

But staying in the wind is not easy as the system is moving fast. This requires sailing at near maximum boat speed and sacrificing any thought of heading north.

This is risky, they further south you drop out of the front, the worse the position you will be in. It is like being in the balloon that climbs ever higher. Jump early and you may survive the fall. The longer you wait...
Attachments
Day 4: Most boats have now lost touch with the large weather system than was conveying the fleet to the east. Only a few boats furthest south are still in it. The system is also breaking up which will make it very challenging for 76trombones and company to find a fast way to the finish.

The rewards could be great, my router suggested they would finish over a day ahead even though I was less than an hour behind them when I gybed.

I've highlighted sadlersailing. We were in the same position when I gybed. This will be a useful comparison for the rest of the race to see who made the better choice. He is just within touch of the front - but needs a lot of luck find good winds.

Many of the pre-race favourites are to my north. Whilst their stronger wind looks good, I have better wind direction - so we are even at the moment. However, when the wind forces us to tack they will be ahead. I'll need a lot of luck to finish high up the rankings. My southerly adventure has cost me dearly.

--- Last Edited by NZL Scotsman at 2012-05-25 07:57:18 ---
Attachments
SOL paths (ita 10267 and 76Trombones) vs irl.
Attachments
Day 5
Attachments
Day 7
Attachments
Day 8


--- Last Edited by NZL Scotsman at 2012-06-01 04:51:58 ---
Attachments
Day 9
Attachments
Sorry I didn't keep up the thread during the race. I posted the screen shots I took during the race.

Page: 1 2 Next

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

Africa by Sea - Swakopmund to Maputo 2025


Time again to continue our exploration of Africa by Sea, which now takes us around the tip of the continent at Cape Agulhas and up the coast of South Africa to Mozambique’s marvellous Maputo, where we should find good anchorage in the bend of the Rio Espirito Santo (Umbuluzi) once we’ve cleared the 60m high Maputo - Katembe suspension bridge. It’s 1900nm and we’ll be glad to be sailing our comfortable and sturdy Xp-55, as we will certainly experience more headwinds!
Race #1857
INFOby brainaid.de
Xp-55 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - ABC
Race starts: Jun 11th 17:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Isle of Wight RTI Sprint 2025


Welcome to the Isle of Wight in the British Isles. A past home to Queen Victoria and the foundation of the America's Cup when yacht racing became popular in the 1800's. This particular race was last raced on SOL in 2012 to follow Soler JuJu sailing around the island. We return, long overdue, to race our final Q2 sprint around the island.
Race 1918
INFO by brainaid.de
Ker 40 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SPRQ2 - SPRCH - SUPSOL – SYC
Race starts: Jun 07th 09:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Marquesas to Young Island 2025

The adventure continues as we launch this fourth leg of the RWW series, racing from Marquesas to Young Island in the Balleny Islands, a group of islands in the Southern Ocean only 62 nm from Antarctica. Get ready for a chilling new challenge as we set sail on the sixth leg of the 2025 Ocean Championship Series! A 4100nm journey of endurance, strategy, and pure sailing excitement. This leg will be pursued aboard the race machine RP66, pushing sailors to their limits. Do you have what it takes to conquer the Southern Ocean? Join us and put your skills to the ultimate test!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1909
INFO by brainaid.de
Raichel/Pugh 66 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - RWW - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Jun 02nd 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

TuziTekwini TIMED Race 2025

Sailonline is delighted to have been invited to partner with the King Shaka Yacht Club (KSYC) of South Africa to bring a virtual version of the Tuzi Tekwini Ocean Raceto our online community.
The Tuzi Tekwini Ocean Race is a near 90 nautical mile race down the east coast of South Africa from the port of Richards Bay to the port of Durban. Achievable in a single day and seen by some as an easy mile-builder, the course is more tactical than some think and should not be underestimated. This iconic race promises to be an unforgettable experience for yachting enthusiasts.
Our online version of the race will be a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have 13 days and 11 hours to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #1916
INFOby brainaid.de
Sailonline’s virtual yacht for all your runs will be our much-loved Farr 38 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
14 June at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Jun 01st 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ 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 KaSToR
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member FreyjaUSA
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Patrick70119
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Smo
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client