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 » Balloon Transat

Page: 1 2 3 Next

Posted by
76Trombones


Users avatar

Posts
362
Registered at
2009-08-03 18:04:56
2013-01-15 17:35:16 - Balloon Transat


Low-altitude Montgolfier race from Newfoundland to France. 1nm finish line, race to be scored normally with rankings fixed via dtf at race close.

Suggested race start for Fri//Sat with race close at midnight the following Sat.



Limited ability to steer, but we're equipped with anchors and many other SOL necessities for use during unfavourable wind, or when close to the finish. Routing isn't impossible, but it's tricky.

FAQ
Q: This race opened on the 31st - Isn't April Fool's on Monday?
A: Our mistake!

Q: So it's a joke then?
A: Oh, yes absolutely! It should be a fun race though. We have no idea how it will turn out.

Q: Why is the finish line so small? Wouldn't it be easier to finish if it was really long?
A: IRL Balloon racing is usually a test of accuracy instead of speed, trying to drop markers as close as possible to the goal. It's entirely likely that no boats will actually be able to cross the line, so it should really be considered the centre of a giant bull's-eye. Get as close as you can and then drop anchor. If the wind shifts you might be able to nudge closer. Maybe we could try a long-line race later - dateline in the Pacific always calls...

Q: How do we steer this thing?
A: There's limited ability to steer across the wind, but for big changes in direction you might need to wait for the wind to shift. Slow down or anchor.

Q: Anchor?
A: TWA=0

Q: Balloons can't steer!
A: This one can. It's part boat.

Q: Why can't we use winds at different altitudes?
A: Have you seen the picture? It would be crazy to fly any higher than 10m.

Q: "You can't get there from here!"
A: That's entirely possible within the constraints of the race. Given enough time and enough rum nothing's impossible. Get as close as you can!

Q: Can we fly over land?
A: Just spits, sandbars and really thin islands. Standard SOL sailing applies.


--- Last Edited by 76Trombones at 2013-04-08 13:37:09 ---
Attachments
Posted by
Tyger / Robert Neilson


Users avatar

Posts
108
Registered at
2012-05-28 15:07:00
2013-01-15 23:47:27 - Re: Balloon Transat
That looks like a challenge. A bit of anchor time to get some sleep. I can imagine some weird tracks following boats/balloons. Got me.
“We may have arrived on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now!” Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted by
76Trombones


Users avatar

Posts
362
Registered at
2009-08-03 18:04:56
2013-01-16 16:51:46 - Re: Balloon Transat
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2013-01-16 17:41:44 - Re: Balloon Transat
Maybe we could make this a fun (non-SYC ranking) race and have a choice between the balloon and.... a type of boat that could be reasonably competitive with a ballon with a following wind?
Posted by
Tyger / Robert Neilson


Users avatar

Posts
108
Registered at
2012-05-28 15:07:00
2013-01-17 00:59:49 - Re: Balloon Transat
OOOOOOH....I just ran the balloon flight forecasting tool. I don't think a UIM Class 1 powerboat would be able to keep up with the balloon. Low coeff of drag + jet stream speeds at altitude of 5K to 8K metres = HIGH SPEED!! This race may be long in distance but it could be over in 2 days. Is this right or have I missed something?
“We may have arrived on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now!” Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted by
76Trombones


Users avatar

Posts
362
Registered at
2009-08-03 18:04:56
2013-01-17 01:29:19 - Re: Balloon Transat
We're limited to 10m winds in SOL. It's still pretty fast :-D
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2013-01-17 10:19:03 - Re: Balloon Transat
I love the idea of a balloon BUT as SOL is a sailing site there may be objections to not having a sailing component, hence my suggestion of a "wessel choice" (balloon or boat)... :-D

Maybe the boat should be a regular Transat type... then those who want to sail a Transat can do that while erstwhile balloonists do their thing? How's that?

--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2013-01-17 10:20:37 ---
Posted by
ShamrockPirate


Users avatar

Posts
189
Registered at
2010-12-03 17:49:57
2013-01-21 02:12:20 - Re: Balloon Transat
Brilliant and innovative, 76T!!
Keeping things fresh and interesting is the goal and this is BOTH!!

Well Done and count me in!!

SP
Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
2009-06-14 09:44:50
2013-03-26 08:24:34 - Re: Balloon Transat
I spotted this being mentioned in NYC-SFO race chat and... folks are right, we should "go for it" as a bit of a laugh.

When would be a good time to run it? After NYC-SFO is finished or does it not really matter as it is so off-the-wall?

:-)
Posted by
Jawz


Users avatar

Posts
154
Registered at
2009-07-21 09:51:19
2013-03-26 09:28:58 - Re: Balloon Transat
Great Idea! Now all we need is two sets of weather data, one for 0 - 5000m, another for 5000 - 8000m. This will really make it 3 dimensional and even bigger a challenge :)

Page: 1 2 3 Next

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

The British Isles Circumnavigation 2026


The British Isles Circumnavigation is here! Inviting skippers to take on an epic 1,720nm clockwise voyage around Britain and Ireland! Starting and finishing in Cowes, the course passes some of the most iconic landmarks in offshore sailing, including Fastnet Rock, Tearaght Lighthouse, Black Rock, St. Kilda and Muckle Flugga before the long run home. Racing in our fast and versatile TP52, this Super-Buddy Championship race will reward smart routing, changing weather strategy and sustained concentration over every mile. Good luck!
Race #2052
INFO by brainaid.de
TP-52 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Aug 09th 10:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

SSANZ Triple Series 2026 - Race 2

Welcome back to race two of the SSANZ Triple Series—it's time for the Lewmar 100! Our dynamic fleet of Young 88s returns for another exhilarating 65 nautical mile battle across the stunning waters off Auckland, New Zealand. Once again, our skilled Sailonline racers will test their strategic minds and endurance. With intense competition, shifting conditions, and plenty of tactical decision-making, this race promises high-energy sailing and edge-of-your-seat excitement from start to finish!
Race #2047
INFO by brainaid.de
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SSANZ - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Aug 08th 21:15 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Lake Vättern PYOC 2026


Back in 2013, longstanding SOLer Musigny and his friend xthyra invited us for a three race tour of beautiful Lake Vättern in the heart of southern Sweden. After many years, we return there for a quick sprint from a start in front of the village of Brandstorp, either way around Visingso island in the middle of the lake, but PORT HAND ROUND a buoy off the Granna piers on the eastern shore and back, once again avoiding Visingso as best you can. At least 20nm in trusty Scandinavian 11m One Designs; good luck!
Race #2046
INFO by brainaid.de
11m OD PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SPQ3 - SPCH - SYC
Race starts: Aug 08th 21:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Easter Island to Tristan da Cunha 2026

Welcome to the second leg of our RNW series, rounding Cape Horn. This middle-most leg Round the New World, from Easter Island to Tristan da Cunha, is also part of our Ocean Championship, and as such the second race of OCQ3 2026. This race, like the previous race in the RNW series, will be sailed in our revised 'version 2' Imoca 60 Foil. Race #2050
INFO by brainaid.de
Imoca 60 Foil v2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ3 - RNW - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: Aug 03rd 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

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 CLOSE: Friday,
August 7 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jul 27th 15:00 Registration Closed

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

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:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MIG - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Thursday,
August 6 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jul 21st 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rthinman
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member ms0689
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client