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Posted by 76Trombones ![]() |
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Low-altitude Montgolfier race from Newfoundland to France. 1nm finish line, race to be scored normally with rankings fixed via dtf at race close. Suggested race start for Fri//Sat with race close at midnight the following Sat. Limited ability to steer, but we're equipped with anchors and many other SOL necessities for use during unfavourable wind, or when close to the finish. Routing isn't impossible, but it's tricky. FAQ Q: This race opened on the 31st - Isn't April Fool's on Monday? A: Our mistake! Q: So it's a joke then? A: Oh, yes absolutely! It should be a fun race though. We have no idea how it will turn out. Q: Why is the finish line so small? Wouldn't it be easier to finish if it was really long? A: IRL Balloon racing is usually a test of accuracy instead of speed, trying to drop markers as close as possible to the goal. It's entirely likely that no boats will actually be able to cross the line, so it should really be considered the centre of a giant bull's-eye. Get as close as you can and then drop anchor. If the wind shifts you might be able to nudge closer. Maybe we could try a long-line race later - dateline in the Pacific always calls... Q: How do we steer this thing? A: There's limited ability to steer across the wind, but for big changes in direction you might need to wait for the wind to shift. Slow down or anchor. Q: Anchor? A: TWA=0 Q: Balloons can't steer! A: This one can. It's part boat. Q: Why can't we use winds at different altitudes? A: Have you seen the picture? It would be crazy to fly any higher than 10m. Q: "You can't get there from here!" A: That's entirely possible within the constraints of the race. Given enough time and enough rum nothing's impossible. Get as close as you can! Q: Can we fly over land? A: Just spits, sandbars and really thin islands. Standard SOL sailing applies. --- Last Edited by 76Trombones at 2013-04-08 13:37:09 --- |
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Posted by Tyger / Robert Neilson ![]() |
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That looks like a challenge. A bit of anchor time to get some sleep. I can imagine some weird tracks following boats/balloons. Got me. “We may have arrived on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now!” Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Posted by 76Trombones ![]() |
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Posted by RainbowChaser ![]() |
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Maybe we could make this a fun (non-SYC ranking) race and have a choice between the balloon and.... a type of boat that could be reasonably competitive with a ballon with a following wind?
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Posted by Tyger / Robert Neilson ![]() |
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OOOOOOH....I just ran the balloon flight forecasting tool. I don't think a UIM Class 1 powerboat would be able to keep up with the balloon. Low coeff of drag + jet stream speeds at altitude of 5K to 8K metres = HIGH SPEED!! This race may be long in distance but it could be over in 2 days. Is this right or have I missed something? “We may have arrived on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now!” Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Posted by 76Trombones ![]() |
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We're limited to 10m winds in SOL. It's still pretty fast
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Posted by RainbowChaser ![]() |
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I love the idea of a balloon BUT as SOL is a sailing site there may be objections to not having a sailing component, hence my suggestion of a "wessel choice" (balloon or boat)...
![]() Maybe the boat should be a regular Transat type... then those who want to sail a Transat can do that while erstwhile balloonists do their thing? How's that? --- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2013-01-17 10:20:37 --- |
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Posted by ShamrockPirate ![]() |
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Brilliant and innovative, 76T!!
Keeping things fresh and interesting is the goal and this is BOTH!! Well Done and count me in!! SP |
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Posted by RainbowChaser ![]() |
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I spotted this being mentioned in NYC-SFO race chat and... folks are right, we should "go for it" as a bit of a laugh.
When would be a good time to run it? After NYC-SFO is finished or does it not really matter as it is so off-the-wall? ![]() |
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Posted by Jawz ![]() |
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Great Idea! Now all we need is two sets of weather data, one for 0 - 5000m, another for 5000 - 8000m. This will really make it 3 dimensional and even bigger a challenge
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Races
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Current Races:
Garagiste's Test Lab

Race #1928
INFOby brainaid.de
PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ2 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
26 July at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Jul 13th 12:00 Registration will open soon
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Patricks Test

Race #1932
INFO by brainaid.de
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SSANZ - SYC
Race starts: Aug 03rd 08:00 Registration Open!
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Joanne's Test Race Zone
Race #1847
INFOby brainaid.de
Fareast 31R PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - RED
Race starts: Jul 25th 12:00 Registration Closed
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Marstrand to Cowes 2025

We invite you to another race, which will kick off the third quarter of our ARCH series. We'll set off from Marstrand, Sweden, which, along with Skagen, Denmark, marks the line commonly recognised as the border separating the Baltic Sea from the North Sea. The 650nm route will take our Ripitide 50 across the North Sea and the English Channel to Cowes, England. Watch out for the fast ferries crossing the Channel from Calais to Dover 😊.
Race #1935
INFO from brainaid.de
Riptide 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
ARQ3 - ARCH - SUPSOL – SYC
Race starts: Jul 21st 17:00 Registration Open!
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Nantucket Sprint 2025

Welcome to Nantucket, from whence Herman Melville’s Cap’n Ahab sailed round The Horn into the northern Pacific Ocean to hunt the gray whale - whose migrations are celebrated elsewhere in SOL’s Q4 schedule - he never to return. And whaling too, as the 19th C progressed, like Ahab disappeared from Nantucket as the harbour silted up and mainland Massachusetts whaling stations benefited from rail connections. But beach life, yachting and nostalgia has rescued the island from oblivion, so to celebrate leisure, SOL gives you the Nantucket Sprint - 25nm in 29er_XX’s from east of Tuckernuck Island across the sound to a finish just inside the mouth of the harbour. Enjoy!
Race 1936
INFO by brainaid.de
29er_XX PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SPRQ3 - SPRCH - SUPSOL – SYC
Race starts: Jul 19th 15:00 Registration Closed
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Puil's Practice Palaver
Nearly there; only 2500nm to go, round the Horn and up the Red Sea to Suez into what will more than likely be more headwinds for this sixth leg of our African circumnavigation, to be followed in September by a final sneaky dash up the canal back to where we started all those months ago. We’ll be sailing a not entirely appropriate-for-upwind-work 60ft Trimaran!
Race #1859
INFOby brainaid.de
60ft Trimaran PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - ABS
Race starts: Jun 03rd 11:30 Registration Open!
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Gulf of St Lawrence - test - Mirek
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Race starts: Apr 21st 17:00
Registration Open!
Stefan's Duck Pond

PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1900
INFO by brainaid.de
Orange 125 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ3 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Feb 06th 00:00 Registration Closed
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Trapped Camel
-
Race starts: Aug 21st 15:03
Registration Open!
Caravanserai
-
Race starts: Aug 08th 17:00
Registration Open!
Patrick's Playpen

Welcome to the legendary "Westcoaster," a race that has tested sailors for over 50 years. Spanning 435 nautical miles, this iconic journey takes racers from Melbourne, across the formidable Bass Strait, and around Tasmania's rugged west coast to the finish line in Hobart. Organized by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, the Westcoaster is renowned for its challenging conditions and adventurous spirit. This year, our SOLers will tackle the course in the swift and capable First 47.7, a yacht launched by Beneteau in 2000, built for speed and endurance in long ocean races. Get ready for an exhilarating ride in one of Australia’s most celebrated yacht races!
Race #1841
INFO by brainaid.de
First 47.7 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Aug 03rd 08:00 Registration Open!
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Mirek's Mess & Canteen
music deleted
Race starts: Apr 26th 18:00
Registration Closed
Antarctica 1 of 3
-
Race starts: Jan 27th 21:57
Registration Open!
Flinders Island TIMED Race 2024

Race #1776
INFO by brainaid.de
Ocean 50 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
27 January at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Jan 14th 12:00 Registration Open!
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Tasman Double 2023 - Hobart to Sydney
music deleted
Race starts: Jan 02nd 02:00
Registration Open!
John's Test Zone
It's time to test your ocean racing skills in a variety of weathers as we head the 6400 NM between Hong Kong and Auckland in a fast Super Maxi 100. We'll be heading from a northern summer to a southern winter so keep plenty of cold weather gear and warm rum on board!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1597
INFOby brainaid.de
Super Maxi 100 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
OCQ3-OCCH-SUPSOL-SYC
Race starts: Sep 01st 04:00
Registration Closed
calm's Practice Race
Last raced in 2021, we return to Boston for another race to Newport. And just like in 2021, the chosen boat is once again the speedy R/P 66. This is a TIMED race so pick your winds wisely and see how quickly you can complete this 132nm run! For reference, the winning time in 2021 was 6:12:28.
RE-REGISTER HERE to race again after finishing a run
Race #1700
INFO by brainaid.de
R/P 66 PARTICULARS
NAM_AWIP WX Updates:
0245 / 0845 / 1445 / 2045
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday, 18 August at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Aug 05th 12:00
Registration Closed
ZONA DE PRUEBA DE MANUEL

Please note the displayed course is provisional; the actual course will be set after the IRL course is announced at the skipper's briefing 48 hours before the start, and no later than 24 hours before the start.
Race #1561
INFOby brainaid.de
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC - NTR
Race starts: Jan 10th 14:00 Registration Closed
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San Sebastian to La Rochelle 2021
Once again, our SOL race will be shared with a group of Polish sailors, representing one of the stages of their Virtual Training Cruise around Europe. 171 nm in Delphia 47s across the not always calm Bay of Biscay from San Sebastian to La Rochelle will undoubtedly be one to test their skills. Welcome/Witajcie and we wish you all fair winds.
Race #1441
INFOby brainaid.de
Delphia 47 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: SYC
Race starts: Mar 05th 17:00
Registration Open!
Aland Sea TIMED Race
Norrtalje Segelsallskap, 70km NE of Stockholm was founded in 1920, and time was when the society’s season opened with a challenging offshore race from the club line off Flaten island at the mouth of the long and narrow Norrtaljeviken, out onto a triangular course around the Aland Sea, to finish at Simpnas slightly to the north on Bjorko island - some 78nm in total. A fine race that SOL, being from these parts, ran annually up until 2013. Last run in autumn 2018, we return here to race the course again in the form a TIMED RUN in spanking new Club Swan 50s.
RE-REGISTER HERE to race again after finishing a run.
Race #1444
INFO by brainaid.de
Club Swan 50 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
RANKING:
TRQ1 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Sunday, 28 February at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Feb 15th 12:00
Registration Closed
Bimmer's Test Zone
What about a speedy X-362 380nm race in the waters off S America, just to blow cobwebs away!!
Race #1415
INFOby brainaid.de
X-362 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SYC
ALT. CLIENT:Classic
Race starts: Dec 21st 16:00
Registration Open!
Antarctica 3 of 3
-
Race starts: Sep 16th 11:13
Registration Closed
BLANK POLAR
Race starts: Feb 16th 00:00
Registration Open!
SYC Ranking
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