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 » General Discussion » RESPECT FOR VOLUNTEERS

Hi SOLers !

Sailonline Management have seen, during the recent past, a sizeable surge of criticism addressed to those who run the platform behind the scenes. SRC has seen the vast majority of such criticism - too many times as utterly inappropriate; I have decided to address the matter.

I take it for granted that everyone at SOL is aware that the Teams working behind the scenes do so in total volunteer mode and only for passion. This does not mean that judgements are always right or that mistakes are impossible, but surely does mean that they deserve our complete respect for what they do.

Constructive criticism is one thing and has always been welcome. Good examples are changes to the rules regarding DC-able starts and finishes during Ocean races and some modifications to the platform features that have come from constructive comments.

Criticism like: “This race has been badly organized because there is no wind” …. OR ….” this boat is too slow for a race with light wind like this one “…. are NON constructive comments, and as such are unacceptable criticism.

Races are planned several months in advance and, with few exceptions (e.g. trade winds) no such long-term prediction of Wx can be assessed in advance. (Our volunteers are neither computers, nor meteorologists).

I have personally seen such sarcastic and disrespectful comments and criticism appearing in race chat.

The objective of this message is to alert that this lack of respect will no longer be accepted, and appropriate action will be taken to preserve the rights of those that want to offer this virtual sailing on SOL waters, to be able to do so in happiness, like those who enjoy the platform.

I will not lose even one volunteer because he/she has been offended on such grounds and I would add that such a public lack of respect also acts to deter any new volunteers who are now, and will forever be, needed for the future.

Piero
Sailonline COO

PS: this thread remains open for comments. The more the better.
Hi Piero and the rest of the admin team.

As a long term Soler, since 2009, let me be the first to say Thank You for the tireless efforts put in to keep my online hobby/stress distraction platform going strong for so many years.

Although I could comment further regarding the matter and only in support of the team. Let me just leave it on a positive note.

I appreciate you all

George (Jawz)
Dear Piero and team of volunteers: I am new and I come from another virtual regatta platform. First of all, I congratulate you for the great task you are doing and of course I fully agree that you should navigate (virtually) with respect and honesty. Thank you Sailonline!!!!!!!!!!!! (Google Translator).

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m


Current Races:

Doha Basra TIMED Race 2026

Welcome to Kuwait for a short 78 nm TIMED race from the port of Doha (not to be confused with Doha, Qatar) to Basra, Iraq. Jazirat Light on Auha Island is the only mark to observe, leaving it to port. The Beneteau First 40.7v2 racer-cruiser is our ride this month. 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 #2008
INFOby brainaid.de
First 40.7v2 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
28 February at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Feb 15th 12:00 Registration will open soon
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

San Diego Islands Race 2026


Sailonline is proud to once again partner with the San Diego Yacht Club for the annual Islands Race! This iconic offshore challenge spans approximately 140 nautical miles, starting in Long Beach, rounding the Catalina Islands, and finishing in San Diego. Shifting coastal winds and tactical island roundings will test every sailor’s judgment and nerve.

This year, our SOLers will race the Ker 40, a proven high-performance design by Jason Ker and built by McConaghy Boats. Fast, responsive, and demanding, the Ker 40 rewards precision and smart strategy. The competition will be tight. Every decision will count. See you on the start line!
Race #2009
INFO by brainaid.de
Ker 40 PARTICULARS
NAM_AWIP WX Updates:
0245 / 0845 / 1445 / 2045
Ranking:
SUPBUD - SYC
Race starts: Feb 13th 20:00 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 Closed
▶ 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 Closed
▶ 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 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 Panpyc
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client