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13 May 2013

It is with great happiness that I wish to announce a new future for Sailonline (SOL). In a matter of weeks, ownership of SOL will be transferred to a newly created not-for-profit company owned by the SOL community (New Company).

Not many get to see a childhood dream become a reality, but thanks to the initiative of RainbowChaser, svein and WINSTON_4 in response to a request from me, that is what is now happening.

When I was a boy, growing up sailing and first experimenting with a basic computer, I conceived of a computer-based sailing simulator. Many years later, having become a professor of naval architecture, I created my first sim in Matlab so that my students could test their designs. In 2006, one of my students, Kalle, suggested that we work together to update and improve on my basic format, and so it was that SOL came into being. SOL developed into a small but strong community of virtual sailors around the globe, and in significant contrast to the more commercial enterprises developed two fundamental philosophies.

1. Sailonline would always be free to sail
2. Sailonline would be accessible to all

In 2009 a lot changed – the original financial backers left, Kalle was headhunted to work in California, and my own life became more hectic and did not permit me time to spend with SOL – it was clear that a new way forward was needed.

Through RainbowChaser I approached svein and WINSTON_4 and in 2012 invited them to secure a future for SOL in harmony with its founding principles, and this they have now done, after undertaking a thorough review, from auditing SOL to envisaging its future development and even arranging the necessary funds to set up New Company, organised in Sweden. I wanted them to be assisted by a small group of SOLers who vetted their work throughout, and now the project is ready for delivery to the wider SOL community – the intended future owners of New Company.

To all those of you participating in this new venture, may I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am retaining a 10% participation, so will never be far away, but to know that my childhood dream is now free to develop its full potential is truly joyous.

Tack så mycket

/Jakob
_________________________

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Races

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Current Races:

Magical Mediterranean 2026 - Benghazi to Korcula

We return to Antiquity’s Middle Sea for a seventh celebration of all things Mediterranean - fickle winds, history and olive oil. This time we will sail from ancient Benghazi, whence once grain shipped continuously to feed Rome’s urban masses, to the medieval Venetian thalassocracy’s port of Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo; 700nm in classy Club Swan 50s!
Race #1978
INFO by brainaid.de
Club Swan 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SYC
Race starts: Jul 27th 15:00 Registration Open!

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Red Eye 2026 - Georgian Bay

Welcome to the sensational scenic Georgian Bay of northern Lake Huron, the first area of the Great Lakes to be visited by Europeans in 1615, so former SOLer A2R informed us when he designed this geometrically tortuous course of 317nm criss-cross through its island maze. Originally known as Lake Manitoulin, in 1822 the bay was renamed after King George IV after his succession to the throne. This time we’ll take the very flashy Fareast 31R, which hopefully should keep you wide awake!
Race #2051
INFOby brainaid.de
Fareast 31R PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: RED - SYC
Race starts: Jul 26th 08:00 Registration Open!
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Tall Ships 2026 - Stavanger to Aalborg


Welcome to the fourth of four virtual Tall Ships Races in European waters which are concurrently being organized in-real-life by Sail Training International . This fourth race is from Stavanger in Norway into the Skaggerak to a finish off Denmark’s Aalborg and perhaps an Aquavit to toast the adventure afterwards – a final circa 250nm in Sailonline’s classic Clipper 240.
NOTE: Starts and Finishes in tall ships racing are always offshore to avoid conflict with shipping and shipping lanes; online and real-life may not match exactly.
Race #1995
INFO by brainaid.de
Clipper 240 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: TSI - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Jul 25th 16:00 Registration Open!
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Chinook Salmon - Canada to Andreanovs


A year after spawning in the upper reaches of the rivers of British Columbia, Chinook Salmon develop the age-old urge, so familiar to SOLers, to go to sea, heading for different parts of the northern Pacific Ocean. This race catches up with a particular school with an instinctive memory for the Andreanov Islands far west on the Aleutian Islands chain, as they depart the Salian Sea between Vancouver Island and the San Juans. It’s 2200nm and we’re taking the 60ft Trimaran, in the hope we can keep up!
Race #2048
INFOby brainaid.de
60ft Trimaran PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
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Ranking: MIG - SYC
Race starts: Jul 21st 11:00 Registration Open!
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Juventud TIMED Race 2026

Welcome to Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth), Cuba’s second largest island after mainland Cuba. Known as a haven for pirates, the island was the inspiration for novels “Treasure Island” and “Peter Pan”. The circa 120nm course runs clockwise around the island.
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 #2049
INFOby brainaid.de
The boat for this race is the sporty Mini 6.5p Foil PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
1 August at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Jul 19th 12:00 Registration Open!
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Alaska to Easter Island 2026

Welcome to yet another all-new series. The initial leg of the RNW (Round the New World), Alaska to Easter Island, also part of our Ocean Championship. The first race of OCQ3 2026. This race will be sailed in our revised 'version 2' Imoca 60 Foil. Race #2042
INFO by brainaid.de
Imoca 60 Foil v2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ3 - RNW - OCCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
August 1 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jul 06th 11:00 Registration Closed
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