It seems to me that the wx source became an issue only because a utc-nite update didn't come on time, thus "forcing" skippers to loose sleep that was not anticipated.
Hi def. is fine, provided it comes when it's supposed to. Whether 6hr or 12 hr update cycle is irrelevant in this case. A late wx update messes up everyone's plans.

Why not use GFS, then?
Spoken from minimal knowledge of wx fcst

Dear fellow SOL-skippers:
I have today donated £10 to the cause and hereby challenge all other SOL-skippers to do the same.

Considering that you don't have time for this, and that you don't like what's happening, and that you're not in this to win - I'd be tempted to say that you're doing rather well - LOL

Whooaa SWE54 - wait a minute now!
I did not/do not want to "get rid of you" - YOU are opting out, or?
And, actually, please don't leave because in your limited time SOL is the best learning device around

I interpret your "objections" as "too few emulations of/simultaneous runs with" IRL-races, frustration added by "lack of time/more important things to do" as well as by "increasingly tougher competition". IMO a bit of "sour grapes" to turn that against "SOL not being as SOL used to be".

Basically sad to say good bye to a sharp competitor, but good riddance AFAIC, and good luck!

Now, whether correspondence with IRL-races has been a major objective of SOL is not in my database, and has not (AFAIK) been explicitly announced by SOL-gods.
I've been wondering why a race "in the archives" i.e. already planned ones has priority over IRL and other races, but I personally get no added pleasure from racing against IRL-boats (maybe even au contraire). IMO it's a total fallacy to imagine that simultaneity with IRL-races is any indicator of skill or otherwise in the real or virtual world.

SOL is a developing organism and RC together with the "reference group" runs SOL with the occasional course correction of the GODs.

BTW - I also feel the pressure from the skills of newcomers (old and new) - it's getting more and more difficult to reach the podium. However, all don't participate in SOL to win a podium, but for whatever reason they have.

Best regards
Svein

I'm OK with your proposal, but quite indifferent to points 1) and 2), because the quintessence for me is formulated in the last section.
at 24hrs pre-race NO MORE CHANGES TO ANYTHING.
Skippers must learn to sail what's put before them, and therefore to check what's put before them.

RC - keep up the good work and don't let single voices rattle your cage

Not checking for new info is always skipper error, IMO.
Also I think the should be a quota of e.g. 24 posts/24hrs in chat

I believe there ought to be a third alternative, viz. e.g. "a SOL race with or without sponsor". IMO SOL should not run a race sponsored by or associated with competing virtual operations

*****
Svein - VERY good point - the attractions of the additional info provided by an IRL race has blinded SOL to its own possiblities!! Unfortunately the poll cannot be amended BUT hopefully voting and comments will come up with a sense of what SOLers would prefer

--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2011-05-02 19:48:57 ---

A Swedish departure point would entail more than three days, IMO.

PS
Watch a handball game between Denmark and Sweden and you might reconsider