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 » ESRW - a proper RTW race

Posted by
sol


Users avatar

Posts
299
Registered at
2008-08-14 11:08:14
2020-05-02 09:39:40 - ESRW - a proper RTW race
SRC probably has enough race proposals to last a lifetime, but, if we agree that long distance ocean races are the lifeblood of SOL, then perhaps we could do with some more variety in this category.

I am no fan of Google Earth as a route-creating tool, but, when I came across GEPath1_4_6.exe to make life easier, it motivated me enough to want to convert my ideas into .kml files.

There are a number of them. I'll deal with the first one now.

For a long time, I have felt that these races down the Atlantic, around that southern island and back up are badly described as "round-the-world". Round Antarctic seems more accurate with a leg to get there and another to get home again (if you're French).

A proper round-the-world race surely should attempt to circumnavigate the globe there where it is wide, so either a round hugging equatorial latitudes, or a spin hugging one or other meridian from North to South and another back from South to North, or the other way around.

The stumbling block of course is that made-up races are not 'real' races, but does that really matter?

Also I am conscious of a certain distaste for in-course marks among sections of our ocean racing community, so my first proposal, a race in six legs chasing the setting sun, has none. This results in some finish lines being far from square to the line of approach from final coastal obstacles, but with legs of on average around 3500nm that hardly matters, and, a plus point, it makes life easy for the course planner as well.

Here then I give you the ESRW, the Equatorial SOL Round-The-World Race.

ESRW-I - Haifa to Sao Vicente - 3400nm
ESRW-II - Sao Vicente to Colon - 3200nm
ESRW-III - Panama to Honolulu - 4600nm
ESRW-IV - Honolulu to Port Noumea - 3350nm
ESRW-V - Port Noumea to Singapore - 3950nm
ESRW-VI - Singapore to Kuwait - 3600nm

Some highlights.
The race starts off the coast that is home to the world's first monotheistic religion and finishes off a coast where the world's most recent monotheistic religion is the dominant faith.
I considered Port Said at the entrance to the Suez Canal as the final destination, but felt that we would have more fun sailing up the Persian Gulf than dito up the Red Sea. As a result, the circumnavigation is slightly less complete.
The furthest South of the equator our course takes us Port Noumea on New Caledonia.
The furthest North is Haifa, our departure point.
Three of our ports of call lie within 10 degrees either side of the Equator.
Colon and Panama, either side of the Canal (we will not sail the canal), and Singapore.

Pick a fast boat. I suspect the wind will be all over the place, so a Mono 90 or a Maxi 100 perhaps, for both up- and downwind performance.

bonk(ers)

PS As before this attaching files isn't going terribly well, so 'bear with'
Attachments
Posted by
sol


Users avatar

Posts
299
Registered at
2008-08-14 11:08:14
2020-05-02 09:43:11 - Re: ESRW - a proper RTW race
more legs
Attachments
Posted by
sol


Users avatar

Posts
299
Registered at
2008-08-14 11:08:14
2020-05-02 09:45:02 - Re: ESRW - a proper RTW race
'last legs'
Attachments
Posted by
bonknhoot


Users avatar

Posts
109
Registered at
2013-08-06 21:35:15
2020-05-07 14:26:47 - Re: ESRW - a proper RTW race
sol on this occasion was I, bonknhoot. I recommend this race to SRC.
Clipping along
Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2020-05-12 13:39:04 - Re: ESRW - a proper RTW race
Other than the Suez and Panama Canals, why not a 'real' RTW Race? Three legs---long, yes, but so is an IRL RTW! It would give a "Great" choice of actual route to the SOL competitors!
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
bonknhoot


Users avatar

Posts
109
Registered at
2013-08-06 21:35:15
2020-05-26 19:59:08 - Re: ESRW - a proper RTW race
Yes indeed, definitely an option - Israel to Panama, Panama to Indonesia, Indonesia to Egypt or Iraq.
Clipping along

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Tasmania to Kamchatka 2026

Welcome to yet another all-new route. Tasmania to Kamchatka, part of our Ocean Championship and also the third leg of the ROW (Round the Old World) series. Be aware of the obstacles on the way, likely to split the fleet. It's like X:mas to X:mas, crossing the same waters, navigating the same archipelagos. This second race of OCQ2 2026 will be sailed in our revised 'version 2' Imoca 60 Foil. Race #2031
INFO by brainaid.de
Imoca 60 Foil v2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - ROW - OCCH - SYC
Race starts: May 04th 11:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Bay to Bay 2026 - Leg 2

After a thrilling opener, the 2026 edition of the Bay to Bay Yacht Race continues with Leg 2, bringing even more adrenaline and tactical excitement to the waters of the Great Sandy Marine Park. Our SOLers will once again take the helm of their ILCA 7, this time tackling a 24-nautical-mile course through shifting breezes and tight competition.
With fresh legs, sharper tactics, and everything to race for, it’s anyone’s game! See you on the start line for the grand finale!
Race #2024
INFO from brainaid.de
ILCA 7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
RED - B2B - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: May 02nd 21:30 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Bay to Bay 2026 - Leg 1

Prepare for an electrifying start to the 2026 Bay to Bay Yacht Race! This first leg will see our SOLers take on a fast-paced, 16-nautical-mile sprint through the stunning waters of the Great Sandy Marine Park, weaving past the breathtaking landscapes of the Great Sandy National Park. Racing in ILCA 7, the fleet will battle shifting winds, tricky tactics, and fierce competition—all in pursuit of victory! With the thrill of the race and an unforgettable sailing experience ahead, we can’t wait to see you on the start line!
Race #2023
INFO from brainaid.de
ILCA 7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SPQ2-SPCH-B2B-SUPBUD-SYC
Race starts: May 02nd 02:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Regata dell’Accademia Navale 2026

Welcome to Sailonline’s partnership with the City of Livorno (Leghorn say the English) in cooperation with the local yacht clubs and the Italian Navy, offering all the online opportunity to race the famous Regata dell’Accademia Navale - 630nm in length. Starting and finishing in Livorno, this year the race takes you the length and breadth of the Tyrrhenian Sea via little Mortorio (Mortoriotto) off Sardinia to Capri and home again to Livorno. This race also counts towards Sailonline’s Magical Mediterranean Series and the SuperBuddy title. Online, you will be sailing a Mini 6.50, to give you a match against several of the real-life entrants, which you will be able to track on-screen!
Race #2020
INFO by brainaid.de
Mini 6.50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: MED - SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Apr 25th 10:00 Registration Open!

▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Guess Gotland TIMED Race 2026

The Guess about Gotland is do we helm our First 27 solo east or west of the island in this 140 nm race. 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 #2030
INFOby brainaid.de
First 27 solo Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
2 May at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Apr 19th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Rommel by Balloon 2026 - Through the Sahara


Generalfeldmarschall Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel may have been that chivalrous, gallant tank commander of legend, led astray by the Prussian military traditions of loyalty and chain of command, but one thing he wasn’t, was mad. So, let’s do it anyway – not stick to the coast and the battle for logistical superiority – but depart the oases of Siwa south west into the desert for Agadez and its uranium. And let’s go by balloon, it’s only 2500km (1250nm)!
Race #1973
INFOby brainaid.de
SOL Balloon PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: BOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday,
May 3 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Apr 07th 13:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Falklands to Tasmania 2026

Welcome to yet another all-new route. This next race is part of our Ocean Championship as well as the ROW series. Falklands to Tasmania, is like last year's island to island. It’s one of the longer ones 6400nm, more than half way around the world (and the Antarctica). It starts the 2026 OCQ2, and will be sailed in our Steinlager 2, contrary to prior notice.
Race #2021
INFO by brainaid.de
Steinlager 2 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ2 - ROW - OCCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Thursday,
May 7 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Apr 06th 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 rumskib
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CollegeFund
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member sassy63
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  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