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Board » General Discussion » Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL

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Posted by RainbowChaser Posts 2656 Registered at 2009-06-14 09:44:50	2010-09-20 12:05:32 - Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	In June SOL experienced a period of lighter race volume and this provoked a lot of discussion with people wanting more races. Three things have become apparent: Ocean racers want an ocean race pretty much all the time - with maybe a week/10 days max. between races. Those who work during the Mon-Fri workweek want races at weekends that are meant to be "complete-able"over a weekend. Those who can only SOL in the evenings Mon-Fri and/or who mostly have weekend commitments want races that are during the week. Consequently SOL has three SYC ranking categories for "week", "weekend" and "ocean" races. Building a race calendar is fun but can be difficult, especially when Aeolus chooses to muck around with anticipated finish times!! Oh and there must always be a race open for registration to permit newcomers to see what SOL is like!! Anyway... right now.. the way the calendar is.. please vote on your opinion of current race volume. In addition to voting, please also feel free to add comments!!! PLEASE NOTE IT IS THE CIRCLE ABOVE EACH QUESTION THAT APPLIES (some have said they checked the circle below)!! --- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2010-09-20 14:34:32 ---
Poll: What is your opinion of SOL's race volume right now? Far too many races Too many races Just about the right number of races Too few races Far too few races Show Results (You won't be able to vote.) You need to be logged in to vote.
Posted by theviking71 Posts 15 Registered at 2008-12-09 23:09:24	2010-09-20 13:08:23 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	Howdy! I do understand that this is a very difficult issue and to meet everyone's needs are probably quite impossible. My personal view of it all, is if the server allows it: 1) pretty much always try to have a "long race" on it´s way - that is, oceanraces spanning 2-3-4-5 weeks (in these races it´s often enough to check your boat once or maybe twice a day). ( ---> About 8-10 races/year) 2) Furthermore, weekraces (5-10 days duration) could be held say, twice a month. ( ---> About 20-25 races/year) 3) And weekend/sprint races could be held every weekend. ( ---> About 50 races/year) However, this is just my humble opinion - nothing is wrong and nothing is right, I think the important thing is that there should be races for all tastes and the different opportunity to spend the time, we all do this because it´s fun!.
Posted by Smo Posts 80 Registered at 2009-05-02 21:49:04	2010-09-20 13:52:52 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	I think sprint races should be held also on week as many people Sol on work or on week and try to holiday weekends.
Posted by Rod Posts 392 Registered at 2010-06-24 22:30:48	2010-09-20 14:33:03 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	I agree in general with 'theviking71' but would like to suggest an additional aspect. Most races become almost pure geometry--I would like to see races with more navigation around islands and in channels. This should be in short races, spaced in time for people at other places around the world, and mostly on evenings and weekends. I would also like more realistic running starts, particularly in short races.Timed starts from a point do not match the reality of starting problems, which are a major part of yacht racing. If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by Rod Posts 392 Registered at 2010-06-24 22:30:48	2010-09-21 02:06:15 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	Having read the comments (or lack of...)I would like to suggest the addition of some aspects of the 'Racing Rules of Sailing' ( R.R.S ) as additions to the short course races. Of course, this will have to involve the possibility of actual collisions and the adjudication of Challenges to the the adjudication, all of which are REALLY part of sailing. If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by Schakel Posts 183 Registered at 2008-12-19 09:19:00	2010-09-21 06:52:22 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	Rod said @ 2010-09-21 02:06:15: Of course, this will have to involve the possibility of actual collisions and the adjudication of Challenges to the the adjudication, all of which are REALLY part of sailing. I don't think that is a viable option, really, since all boats start from the same coordinate. For your idea to work, a starting line that is long enough to accomodate 300+ boats and room for manouevring would be required. More importantly, it would make it impossible to start or even sail on dc. Philip
Posted by NZL_PaulR Posts 311 Registered at 2008-07-22 12:21:30	2010-09-21 09:02:39 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	There would need to be a period of time after the start and possibly before the finish when the RRS (Racing Rules) do NOT apply, because all the boats are too close together. In ocean races, this may be the first 24 hours. After that time, RRS apply for Port v Starboard situations. Unfortunately any software development would be wasted because I may be at work, asleep, away IRL sailing and so never realise I was in a close Port v Starboard situation(s). This could be solved by having a "log book" generation report for each race. It would record times aground as well. Another aspect could be wind shadowing, tacking to "cover" another yacht. If it breaks, it's not strong enough!
Posted by NZL_PaulR Posts 311 Registered at 2008-07-22 12:21:30	2010-09-21 09:11:15 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	START TIMES: If the SOL race is being held at the same time as the "REAL LIFE" race, then the start times should be identical and this is the same as SoL's stated aim to be realistic as possible. Yes this is hard on the many Europeans when races start from ports in India, China, Singapore etc. The reverse applies equally to the Americans (West coast more so), Australian & New Zealanders. We have to set DC's for starts whilst we are asleep, or starting halfway through our weekends, rather than Friday "nights". A suggestion would be to have two or three starts for different divisions about 2 or 3 hours behind the previous race. Equally I could debate that a series of delayed divisional starts would eventually reduce the attractiveness of the current SoL racing as one fleet. If it breaks, it's not strong enough!
Posted by NZL_PaulR Posts 311 Registered at 2008-07-22 12:21:30	2010-09-21 09:17:41 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	USE of SAIL PROGRAMS. I enjoyed using Sail Planner on a free test basis and learnt about their effectiveness. Currently I am NOT using any special planning programs. I would like to Enter races with an option of : "Do you use sail planning tools YES or NO" This could seperate boats into two different divisions. Yes it is not policeable and some may cheat, but as in IRL sailing, I do NOT use my motor for propulsion whilst racing. Certainly Brainaid does really well and his program works for him. WELL DONE Eddie. I would like to see how I am going against those who are NOT using those sail planning tools as well. If it breaks, it's not strong enough!
Posted by NZL_PaulR Posts 311 Registered at 2008-07-22 12:21:30	2010-09-21 09:22:12 - Re: Poll / Discussion on Number of Races on SOL
	QUANTITY OF RACES. I try and do as many as possible but as I race IRL 3 days a week in winter (in NZ now) and can race 7 days a week in NZ summer, short races around many islands will mean I will run aground often. So I favour the longer ocean races where a morning and evening online check is all that is needed, well for a lot of time for longer races. e.g. current Maui - Mazatklan race. If it breaks, it's not strong enough!

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