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 » Start times

Posted by
Dingo


Users avatar

Posts
94
Registered at
2013-03-09 04:23:58
2017-10-06 00:14:29 - Start times
Hi, I am seeking your thoughts on start times. Whilst I understand that some start times are set by a buddy-up, and perhaps logistically with the Timed Races, I am wondering why some other races start some 30 minutes before a WX update (eg The Valetta race).

Given that we have SOLers spread across many many time zones, this practice almost certainly ensures quite a few SOLers need to not only get up at two or three in the morning, but further, have to stay awake for another half an hour and re-do all their DCs to cope with the new WX.

If however the race started 30 minutes after the WX, the problem would disappear. Maybe there is some other reason for races to start 30 minutes before a WX and I have missed it.

cheers
Dingo
Posted by
JB


Users avatar

Posts
305
Registered at
2013-03-07 08:54:34
2017-10-06 07:37:41 - Re: Start times
Good morning John and all.

I understand quite well John’s claim about some SOL races Start times and If I may, I’ll extend it to all SOL races that (eventually) Start 0,5 hr before the next programed WF releases (in UTC: 10:30 hrs; 16.30 hrs; 22:30 hrs and 04:30 hrs).

Without any reasonable reason/s for scheduling SOL Start races for those hours - again, 0,5 hr before the next programed WF - the recommendable would be to delay the Start to 0,5 hr after the WF's release hours, at least.

That is my suggestion.
Now, if it is doable, I really don’t know.
Anyhow, I expect from SRC a statement about it, please.

João/psail
Sail Fair.
Posted by
Go4iT


Users avatar

Posts
130
Registered at
2011-03-14 23:58:15
2017-10-10 09:13:28 - Re: Start times
Thank you for raising the matter of start times with respect to Wx times. I will refer it to SRC as we develop the programme for 2018.
Posted by
Dingo


Users avatar

Posts
94
Registered at
2013-03-09 04:23:58
2017-10-10 10:42:00 - Re: Start times
Thanks Richard.
Posted by
SimeMali


Users avatar

Posts
26
Registered at
2014-05-21 07:14:19
2017-10-14 08:51:16 - Re: Start times
Hi SOLers!

I'd like to offer somehow different view on this. With start 0.5 hr before new WX, skipper have 5.5 hrs window for routing, confusion, rerouting, decisions, DC setting, a cup of coffee with doubts, DC re-setting etc. Or simply set DCs and go to work/bed, returning to race for new WX. However, he/she can be sure for boat's course for the first 0.5 hr of the race, even with DCs set 5 hrs earlier, with no unpleasant surprises.

We all have to get up at least once in the night for the new WX anyway (in longer races), but with start time 0.5 hr after WX, skippers get only that 0.5 hr for all mentioned above, and all prior considerations and DCs already set would become useless.

Me think it's rather to have known accurate WX conditions on start 5.5 hrs before than only 0.5 hr, while have to check new WX anyhow. And that leaves more opportunity for SOLers to find the time and set start DCs, if needed.

With start right after new WX, that opportunity is limited, and if skipper is unable to go online inside this 0.5 hr window before the start, that can be major handicap in this crucial part of race.

Fair winds all!

Mladen/SimeMali
Ibis redibis numquam in mare peribis
Posted by
JB


Users avatar

Posts
305
Registered at
2013-03-07 08:54:34
2017-10-17 10:45:09 - Re: Start times
Good morning Mladen and all.

To my mind the “routing” purposes doesn’t exhausts in the unique, if not ultimate task of establishing “DC’s”.
Far from it and, even more IRL.

Not all SOLers (most probably, the majority) wake up in the middle of their “nights”/sleeps for re-routing in function of new WF’s releases. I included.
Off course, there’s a natural and self-accepted reduction in what concerns the level of competitiveness - for routers and non-ones that sleep.
Even so, you can still win (some) races.

Speaking from my own experience.
In a normal race preps (and when time is available) I’ll make at least #4 routings for each of “my” daytime WF release hours (10:30 hrs and 18:30 hrs, both UTC) to cover aprox. the last 48 hrs pre-race moments.
For obvious reasons, those routings very rarely define the effective “Start” DC’s to be used.

One thing, independently of day/night time, is to mobilize yourself two times in a short period of 0,5-1 hr for the task of, routing, and/or define and input DC’s.
The other, with just one intervention, knowing also you have some “stability” in your choices till the next WF in 5-6 hrs to come.

Exception made to light Wind race conditions, usually there’s some continuity in what concerns successive WF’s and corresponding routings results, i.e., there aren’t “step jumps” happening on the HDG’s you’ll have to sail. Anyhow, there’s always the TWA option for those situations, which seems to be an extended preference for SOLers, namely for reaching/keeping VMG, Up & Down targets, and also for “Start” purposes when there’s open waters in the course to be sailed.

João/psail
Sail Fair.
Posted by
Dingo


Users avatar

Posts
94
Registered at
2013-03-09 04:23:58
2017-10-19 10:17:40 - Re: Start times
I think Simemali has made some good points. :)

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Los Roques 2026


It's winter but not in the Caribbean, so welcome to Venezuela's Islas Los Roques archipelago for a 20nm sprint through these beautiful islands. Take care with your mutinous crew, they may be tempted to BBQ and snorkel!
Race #2007
INFO by brainaid.de
SOTO 30 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
RANKING:
SPQ1 - SPCH - SYC
Race starts: Feb 07th 13:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Cross the Convergence 2026 - Samoa to Hawaii


The second race of our new series of ocean voyages across the World’s convergence zones, takes us northward again up the Pacific Ocean, now from Samoa at 13.5 degrees South, across the Equator to Hawaii, famed for its breaking surf and active volcanoes, on the edge of the Tropic of Cancer at 19.5 degrees North. It’s 2300nm, so we’ll take our very steady Steinlager II. Race #1982
INFOby brainaid.de
Steinlager IIPARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: CCZ - SYC
Race starts: Feb 06th 18:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Beketov by Balloon 2026 - In Siberia


Way-back-when France and England, and Spain as well, were squabbling about who should control what of North America, only to lose the most of it to their own insurging colonists, their eastern European neighbour empire, Russia, was quietly assimilating vast, thinly nomadically populated territory of its own – Siberia! Amongst the many explorers and adventurers that served Russia so well in these conquests was the Cossack hetman Pyotr Beketov. Let’s pretend we’re he and eschewing horseback, let’s travel by balloon from Yekaterinberg to Krasnoyarsk – just a short 2000km (1100nm) section of the Trans-Siberian Express’ 9289km!
Race #1972
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: BOL - SYC
Race starts: Feb 03rd 13:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

West Papua to Oregon 2026

Our next race in our Ocean Championships is the first of a series of great natural migrations we will track in 2026. The leatherback turtle is the most widely distributed marine reptile on planet Earth, and chooses to breed in warm tropical waters, but prefers to forage in more temperate habitats, travelling thousands and thousands of miles effortlessly annually to maintain this way of life. Our race will follow one of the typical trips of this turtle, from breeding grounds in the seas off West Papua to the coast of Oregon. It’s only 5900nm, so to keep up, but in comfort, we’ll follow in our Gunboat 90.
Race #2006
INFO by brainaid.de
GB 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ1 - OCCH - MIG - SYC
Race starts: Feb 02nd 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Race to Up Helly Aa 2026

A-OI!!! The fiery spirit of Shetland’s legendary Up Helly Aa returns, and Sailonline’s annual race to Lerwick is once again upon us. Covering 383 nautical miles from Aberdeen, SOLers will tackle winter waters steeped in Viking tradition. This year, we race the classic Frers 33, a proven cruiser-racer born from the golden era of offshore racing and still a sturdy performer both on the virtual and real water. Can you master the course and reach Lerwick in time for the flames?

SAILING NOTE: Gruney may be approached from any direction but must be passed for rounding purposes as indicated on the chart.
Race #2005
INFO by brainaid.de
Frers 33 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
RACE CLOSE: Friday,
February 6 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jan 30th 17:00 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 rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client