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

Posted by
SKOVSER


Users avatar

Posts
56
Registered at
2008-12-15 21:00:20
2019-05-10 18:08:45 - 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
Posted by
Bimmer


Users avatar

Posts
447
Registered at
2015-02-23 15:38:27
2019-05-11 13:55:49 - Re: Tokyo - San Francisco 2019
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 :-)
Posted by
SKOVSER


Users avatar

Posts
56
Registered at
2008-12-15 21:00:20
2019-05-26 14:27:51 - Re: Tokyo - San Francisco 2019
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
Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2019-06-17 13:48:37 - Re: Tokyo - San Francisco 2019
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.
Posted by
Bimmer


Users avatar

Posts
447
Registered at
2015-02-23 15:38:27
2019-06-18 02:46:55 - Re: Tokyo - San Francisco 2019
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:

Tall Ships 2026 - Aarhus to Harlingen


Welcome to the first of four virtual Tall Ships Races in European waters which are concurrently being organized in-real-life by Sail Training International . The course for this first race is from Aarhus in Denmark, through the Skaggerak and down the North Sea to Friesland’s Harlingen – a proper tall ship training adventure of circa 450nm, which online this year you will race in Sailonline’s classic Clipper 240.
NOTE: Starts and Finishes in tall ships racing are always offshore to avoid conflict with shipping and shipping lanes; online and real-life may not match exactly.
Race #1992
INFO by brainaid.de
Clipper 240 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: TSI - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Jun 27th 16:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Viareggio Bastia Viareggio 2026

Our sixth race of nine to celebrate all things Mediterranean - fickle winds, history and olive oil - was planned to be our third buddy-up with another incredible Italian event, the Viareggio Bastia Viareggio (or BVR for short). Unfortunately, in-real-life the BVR has been cancelled this year. But online we shall race it never the less. It’s a quickie – a 160nm roundtrip there-and-back in classic Class 40. Have fun, and if you’re planning a BBQ, piccola isola Capraia halfway across is simply lovely!
Race #2041
INFO by brainaid.de
Class 40 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Jun 24th 12:00 Registration Open!

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Shetland Race 2026 - Leg 2


After the thrill of the first leg, we don't linger long in Lerwick, Shetland. Following brief but joyous celebrations, it's time to set sail back across the North Sea to Bergen, Norway, for the gripping second leg of the Shetland Race 2026!

Covering another unpredictable 190 nautical miles, tactical depth and fierce competition await. This year, we take the helm of the Linjett 33. Designed by Mats Gustavsson in 1994 for Sweden's historic Rosättra Båtvarv, this sturdy, quality cruiser-racer has been a Sailonline favourite in northern waters since 2010. Whether you are chasing victory or savoring the voyage, hoist your sails and let the journey home begin!
Race #2040
INFO by brainaid.de
Linjett 33 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SHE - RED - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Jun 20th 16:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race 2026


When the winter weather turns cool in southern Australia, sailors head up to the warmer tropics. Sailors from all over the world make their way to The Great Barrier Reef for the big winter regattas at Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach and Magnetic Island.
This year's B2K will start on 20 June to offer an event suited to a broader range of boats. Sailonline is, once again, joining with the racers from RQYS to race the 343 nautical miles from Brisbane to Keppel Island, this time in our First 44.7. It might be winter down under, but all you will need is shorts and t-shirts.
Race #2026
INFO by brainaid.de
First 44.7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday,
June 28 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jun 20th 01:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Newport Bermuda Race 2026


The 636-mile Newport Bermuda Race is one of the oldest regularly scheduled ocean races, and with the Fastnet and the Sydney Hobart Race, it is one of the three great classic races of the yachting world. First raced in 1906, now in its 54th biennial, the Race can again also be participated in online. In real life, the race is open to entry in four different division – Double-Handed, St. David's Lighthouse, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, and Finisterre Division – which in the past we have also offered online. This year, however, our online race will be all-in one-design in silky swift Club Swan 50 yachts, so that your results can count towards SOL’s SUPerBUDdy title, whilst hopefully still giving you a chance of overall line honours against the fastest yachts of the real-life Gibbs Hill Division, especially if you can find some forecast winds that don’t quite work out that way on the real water!
Race #2038
INFOby brainaid.de
Club Swan 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
July 1 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jun 19th 17:05 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Shetland Race 2026 - Leg 1


Get ready to tackle the North Sea as we sail from Norway’s stunning outer Korsfjorden to the rugged Shetland Isles! Welcome to an exciting new chapter for this classic 190-nautical-mile ocean route, bringing our global community together for a true test of strategy and seamanship.

This year, the race is a proud stop in Sailonline's 2026 Super Buddy Championship, which features our real-life racing partnerships over the calendar year. We are stepping aboard the Linjett 33, a sturdy Swedish cruiser-racer designed by Mats Gustavsson and built by Rosättra Båtvarv. Seasoned veteran or eager newcomer, prepare for intense competition.

Plot your course and see you at the start line!
Race #2039
INFO by brainaid.de
Linjett 33 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SHE - RED - SUPBUD - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
June 24 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jun 17th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

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 CLOSE: Saturday,
July 4 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Jun 08th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ 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 bonknhoot
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member HoratioPugwash
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member YANN
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member ms0689

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client