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 » Starting points for races and practice races

May I suggest a change in the choices of the locations of race starts. Instead of starts in the open ocean, could they be located reasonably close to the obvious port or harbour?
I realize that some sailors are starting on DCs, at times when they cannot be at their computers, and therefore have objected to "in harbour" starts, and I am not suggesting this.
Starting in the open ocean impacts the practice races, as it reduces the PR courses to pure geometric exercises. Usually there are no islands or channels that can be included in the PR courses, and this is frankly a bit boring. Merely setting a course from mark to mark results often in processions of boats on the same track.
The current Hawai PR course is an example of this problem--it gives little choice of course, and therefore little exercise to the mind.....
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
With all due respect to Rod & other Practice Racers who may hold this point of view let me say that this would be an example of the Tail wagging the Dog.

In the particular case of no obvious obstacles to fashion courses from the opportunity does exist to utilize the weather as the key element of the course.

I am suggesting a triangular Olympic style course that emphasizes Upwind/Downwind legs which does offer competitive racing.

The orientation of the marks to the wind direction could be deferred until the most recent Wx update is in place. The starting point could be predetermined & the course aligned as needed. The distance of the legs could then accommodate whatever wind speed is available to yield the desired duration.

None so blind

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

Aeolian Cruise 2025


This is the final race of the ARCH 2025 series and your last chance to improve your ranking. It promises to be an exciting 210nm slalom through the beautiful landscapes of the Aeolian Islands. Our Moody S38's will take off from Tropea and sail west between successive islands to reach the finish line in the Gulf of Palermo.
Fair Winds.
Race #1991
INFO from brainaid.de
Moody S38 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
ARQ4 - ARCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Dec 15th 17:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Chatham Island TIMED Chase 2025

The final TIMED race of 2025 takes us to the isolated and mysterious Chatham Islands archipelago 430 nm east of New Zealand’s South Island. There promises to be plenty of breeze from every point on the compass as we sail the Farr 38 around Chatham Island, Pitt Island, and The Forty Fours on this 124 nm course. This is 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 #1990
INFOby brainaid.de
Farr 38 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ4 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
27 December at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Dec 14th 12:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Great Bear Ice Race 2025


You can fly to Great Bear Lake Airport, but if the ice is good, instead hire a pick-up truck, load your disassembled DN into the cargo bed and drive, first following the McKenzie River north, and then straight across the lake to the start of our final Ice Boat series race of roughly 100nm in length. The Airport authorities have agreed to leave all lights on, so you should just about be able to see where you are going as you zing and rumble, PL-free over the ice!
Race #1853
INFOby brainaid.de
DN PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: DN - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Friday,
December 12 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Dec 07th 09:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Christmas to Christmas Island 2025

Two waypoints, start and finish, and between them 5827 NM of two oceans. Not much time if we want to sit at the Christmas Eve table. You will need to maintain an average speed of over 10 knots, maybe quite possible with this Maxi Trimaran, but prepare your vessel well and choose the best of the many possible routes. Hands up everyone who knew there were TWO Christmas Islands?! OK, maybe you have sailed this Sailonline course before... but it's time to get ready for the 2025 challenge of racing between Christmas Island in the Pacific to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean! It also marks the conclusion of our prestigious Ocean Race Championship 2025. Please have fun! Fair winds!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1967
INFO by brainaid.de
Maxi Trimaran PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ4 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Dec 01st 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 CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member sassy63
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client