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 » Match Racing

Page: 1 2 Next

Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


Users avatar

Posts
251
Registered at
2008-10-04 07:59:40
2011-12-22 01:05:13 - Match Racing
I've an idea for how to run a match racing series that hopefully would not add much to admin or server requirements. Please comment on what you think. The key points will be:
1) How much interest there is amongst us
2) How can we get it to work without adding to the valuable workload of our volunteers.

I'll explain my idea in a few posts, so that each one is not too long.
Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


Users avatar

Posts
251
Registered at
2008-10-04 07:59:40
2011-12-22 01:08:42 - Re: Match Racing
First point about when and how to run the races. My main idea for this is to piggy back off the existing practice races and/or timed races. Another possibilty would be to add short windows of races specifically for match racing run very much like the timed races.

The way the match racing would work, is two boats decide to go head to head, arranged mutually through the forums or chat in another race. They agree a start time. Similar to a timed race or practice race, they start at the agreed time, sail the agreed course and whoever crosses the finish first wins that race. So they score the win.

Points would need to reflect number of races entered as well as wins, say 3 points for a win and 1 for a loss.
Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


Users avatar

Posts
251
Registered at
2008-10-04 07:59:40
2011-12-22 01:11:17 - Re: Match Racing
To make it easier to organise with the couple of hundred keen sailors we have here:
1) SYC members only
2) arrange in divisions, initial by ranking, then by performance - up to 20 in each division but depends on what is managable
3) divisions run over a set period, say 3 months, which gives time for the races to be held
4) promotion / relegation after that period
5) next period (season) starts

We could have an end of year finals series, or something similar, if that adds to the interest.
Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


Users avatar

Posts
251
Registered at
2008-10-04 07:59:40
2011-12-22 01:16:12 - Re: Match Racing
Some of the challenges - please comment if you know about these issues.

1) Accuracy of timing. Practice races may be too approximate for this. Is there a way of logging start and finish times more accurately that would suit?

2) Length of race. Most of our races (except the practice ones) are more than 4 hours long. Is this too long for this format?

3) Any admin or organisation issues, or would we be happy with this being reasonably informal.
Posted by
NZL_Scotsman


Users avatar

Posts
251
Registered at
2008-10-04 07:59:40
2011-12-22 01:17:51 - Re: Match Racing
PS, this was inspired by losing to sadlersailing by 8 seconds after 5 hours going around the Isle of White. That felt like a match race!
Posted by
A2


Users avatar

Posts
347
Registered at
2009-10-26 00:39:42
2011-12-23 10:58:23 - Re: Match Racing
76T had proposed a conceptual 8 Metre Rule Class event that had similar aims or could be well adapted to this particular discussion.

read here
None so blind
Posted by
AGage


Users avatar

Posts
411
Registered at
2008-12-27 10:31:57
2011-12-29 09:31:02 - Re: Match Racing
Main problem is match racing is not possible on SOL....
There is no enforcement of ISAF rules

And I don't quite see what 1 on 1 would add to SOL.
There are some good ideas in terms of a 'season' and divisions etc, but again I cannot see what 1on1 adds here?
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2012-01-19 16:27:42 - Re: Match Racing
May I suggest that some thought be given to the idea of a "start line" as in IRL racing? Boats could leave the "docking point" 1 hour prior to the start, BUT twa=0 would not be allowed until after the start (so the boat MUST be constantly in motion.) I realize that this could penalize those who cannot be at their computers at the start, but that too corresponds to IRL. (Calculate the time from dock to start line, set DC time and course, and go---if over early, must re-start, again as IRL)
'Starting' is usually considered to be a significant part of IRL sailboat racing---to neglect it here is somewhat un-realistic.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
ShamrockPirate


Users avatar

Posts
189
Registered at
2010-12-03 17:49:57
2012-01-20 01:06:00 - Re: Match Racing
Interesting idea Rod, though I am hard pressed to figure how and afternoon local-time start and a middle-of-the-night start in the same race mirrors IRL. In the current format, I have the same start in the same wind in the same boat as the Big Boys. (My talent is then applied and I either creep or vault to the back of the pack :)) Since many races appear to be won/lost in the first few hours, it feels like an underway-start would penalize more people than benefit.

Also not sure how the server would identify and then notify of an early-over start. A DC off by even one second would essentially result in just going for a virtual sail for the several hundred miles or more. I suppose you could set a close DC and then go TWA=0.01 and have a reasonable chance, but I believe your point is that to be able to compete effectively, you MUST be at your computer at the designated start time or the race is a toss.

Only other alteration I can think of would be to have multiple start times (this goes back to a "Divisions" conversation) but then you are only racing against those choosing that start time and I don't see how the all-important rankings would then be managed.

I'm sure others may have a more learned perspective and will look forward to reading more on this thread.

SP
Posted by
Rod


Users avatar

Posts
392
Registered at
2010-06-24 22:30:48
2012-01-20 04:01:52 - Re: Match Racing
Start time would be same for all, and could be done on DCs. 'Over early' would be seen as a position number which would rapidly get larger. It would add the requirement to chose a tack, and to choose which end of the line. It would spread out the fleet much like IRL.
Among other things, it would help to make SOL into an 'off-season' practice for those who also race IRL, even if radio-sailing such as I do.

--- Last Edited by Rod at 2012-01-20 04:04:08 ---
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.

Page: 1 2 Next

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Carib Rum Run 2026


Ahoy, ye landlubbers and seasoned salts! Welcome back to Sailonline’s legendary Carib Rum Run, perfectly timed to kick off on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, 19 September!

This year, we command the magnificent Falkun—the ultimate high-tech superyacht modeled after the iconic Maltese Falcon. This 1759nm slalom takes us through the Caribbean’s rum islands to plunder barrels from local distilleries and deliver them to the rum-parched sands of Cancun.

Join SYC before the finish to disguise yer boat with a pirate name for this race only. Hoist the sails, sharpen yer cutlasses, and plot your winning course!
Race #2060
INFO by brainaid.de
Falkun PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Sep 19th 05:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Silverrudder 2026


Ahoy, SOLers! Welcome to the 2026 edition of the Silver Rudder – Challenge of the Sea! This epic 125nm single-handed race around Denmark’s island of Funen is back!

Shallow waters and shifting winds await in the world’s largest solo regatta. This year, we return to the popular First 27 solo. This superlight, water-ballasted planing machine features twin rudders and weighs a full tonne lighter than her older stepsisters. Will you master her power where precision counts most?!

It is imperative that you read AND understand these special Starting Conditions for SILVERRUDDER 2026:
Starting Conditions!!

Race #2059
INFO by brainaid.de
First 27 Solo PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - SUPBUD - RED
RACE CLOSE: Friday,
September 25 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Sep 18th 08:30 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Isle of Mull TIMED Race 2026

Welcome to the west coast of Scotland for an 80 nm race around the Isle of Mull. Mull is home to castles, distilleries, and the Highland Games. The race begins just north of Oban in the shadow of Dunstaffnage Castle and after rounding the island finishes down the coast at Crinan. The Twister 28 with its classic long keel is the boat for this race.
This is 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 #2057
INFOby brainaid.de
PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
26 September at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Sep 13th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Cross the Convergence 2026 - Cocos to Sagar Island


Kapil Muni, incarnation of Lord Vishnu, founder of the Samkhya school of philosophy, disturbed from his meditation, in his wrath reduced the 60,000 sons of Sagar to ashes, as they dug the earth to retrieve the sacrificial horse that Lord Indra, the king of the Gods, stole off Sagar, thus creating the Sagara (ocean). Aeons later, Bhagiratha, a descendant of Sagara, asked Ganga to cleanse the ashes of the 60,000 princes, and her resultant torrential fall from heaven created the great river and where it met the ocean, the princes’ souls were washed and raised to heaven and Gangasagar (Sagar Island) was formed. So, let us join the pilgrimages to Kapi Muni’s Temple (see above) and race 2400nm from Cocos Island deep in the Sagara thence, in rather rapid Rapido 60s.
Race #1987
INFOby brainaid.de
Rapido 60PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: CCZ - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
September 26 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Sep 11th 18:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Shearwater - Rio de la Plata to Irish Sea 2026

Welcome to the fourth leg of our MIG series. This time we're racing the Sooty Shearwater on their migration from the breeding grounds in South America to the northern Atlantic. This is also part of our Ocean Championship, and as such the third race of OCQ3 2026. This race will be sailed in our Gunboat 90. Race #2055
INFO by brainaid.de
GunBoat 90 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
OCQ3 - OCCH - SYC - MIG
RACE CLOSE: Thursday,
October 1 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Sep 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 CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Panpyc
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member cdhinman
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rthinman
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

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

The mobile client