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 » Tokyo - San Francisco 2019

Was it really that hard to put the starting line outside Tokyo Bay so everyone gets a fair start! It is supposed to be an offshore race ….


/SKOVSER
Hi SKOVSER :-)

Response from SRC:

"SKOVSER - This point was raised to OPS by SRC when the race was previewed some three weeks ago.

The response from OPS was – “This race was raced as-is in 2014 .... so, if SRC needs the start to be relocated, Finn, just a reminder that you will need to create a new Tokyo Offshore waypoint and a new TOK_SFO race course .. otherwise info about the old race is skewed!”

SRC did not require the start to be relocated by OPS. (It would have created a duplicate course which SOL tries to avoid.)"

Response from OPS:

"Dear SKOVSER,
Thank you for raising this very valid point.
It is in fact one which SRC considered prior to setting up this re-run of a 2014 race, which on the day attracted a large fleet and more than likely invited a few comments of a similar nature to yours of today. However, as the race was long, the outcome of the dash through the bay out to sea, proved to have no bearing on the results. So, to avoid having to create a duplicate course departing from a new waypoint, thus adding more data to our ever-growing database, it was considered fair enough to leave the race as first designed. The fact that a new tool known as 'AGL' allows racers to pretty accurately plan a series of DCs to safely route through restricted waters was a further consideration in deciding to leave the race 'as was'.
Finally, we take this opportunity to reflect on the hypothetical situation that the finish originally might have been inside San Francisco Bay, in which case that definitely would have been changed, as we adjudge it is far more important that long races do not run the risk of ending in disaster for competitors not able to attend to their boat as they approach the finish."

I hope that covers your question :-)
Thanks for your reply.

I do not agree with your answer and have the following comments:

Your explanation that you want to avoid further data for the database can be fixed by replacing the existing race with a new one - and not just copying a new one!

Your arguments about the start procedure contradict you in your arguments about a hypothetical finish inside SF Bay. IRL sailors think it is just as important to get a good and fair start!
Generally speaking, I do not think SOL should design its races, based on what is found by external aids on other web pages, eg. AGL, so I do not buy that argument.

Personally, I think an offshore race should be between 2 open points (start/finish)!

Overall, there will be fewer and fewer participants for SOL so I would encourage more SOL’ers to participate in the debate on the continued development….
I can recommend making a small study of what SOL’ers think about the races, possibly wishes for new initiatives etc.

Regards,
/SKOVSER
Bimmer:- What is AGL and where do I find it? I'm not a router user, but sometimes getting out of a restricted start area can be a real chore late at night.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Hi Rod.
AGL (AutoGribLoader) or DC Checker as it's also called is made by Kipper1258.
You can find it here : Version 3.1.3

Be sure to read the manual very carefully.

Problems? Write to finn@sailonline.org

--- Last Edited by Bimmer at 2019-06-18 02:49:55 ---

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

Bluefin Tuna - Mexico Gulf to North Sea 2026

Join us and follow the Bluefin Tuna, as they migrate from their spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico to their feeding grounds in the North Sea off the coast of Norway. This 4300 nm race is part of our Ocean Championship and the final race of OCQ2 2026, and also the second leg of our Migration series. We will be sailing in our Gunboat 90. Race #2035
INFO by brainaid.de
Gunboat 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - MIG - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: Jun 08th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Thessaloniki to Port Said 2026

Welcome back to the Eastern Mediterranean for the fifth race of our Magical Mediterranean Series. Only marginally less unlikely to be ever raced in real life during SOL’s lifetime than our previous race from Tobruk to Iskenderun, this 710nm race takes us from Greece’s ancient northern port of Thessaloniki through the Aegean island maze, south east into the Levantine Sea to a finish in modern Port Said, in splendid Swan 65s!
Race #1977
INFO by brainaid.de
Swan 65 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SYC
Race starts: Jun 06th 15:00 Registration Open!

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

TuziTekwini TIMED Race 2026

Sailonline is delighted to have been invited again to partner with the King Shaka Yacht Club (KSYC) of South Africa to bring a virtual version of the Tuzi Tekwini Ocean Raceto our online community.
The Tuzi Tekwini Ocean Race is a near 90 nautical mile race down the east coast of South Africa from the port of Richards Bay to the port of Durban. Achievable in a single day and seen by some as an easy mile-builder, the course is more tactical than some think and should not be underestimated. This iconic race promises to be an unforgettable experience for yachting enthusiasts.
Our online version of the race will be 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 #2037
INFOby brainaid.de
Sailonline’s virtual yacht for all your runs will be our much-loved Farr 38 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
13 June at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: May 31st 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member bonknhoot
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member HoratioPugwash
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member sassy63

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client