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Posted by NZL_Scotsman |
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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. |
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Posted by NZL_Scotsman |
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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. |
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Posted by NZL_Scotsman |
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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. |
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Posted by NZL_Scotsman |
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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. |
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Posted by NZL_Scotsman |
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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!
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Posted by A2 ![]() |
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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 |
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Posted by AGage ![]() |
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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... __/)/)_/)__ |
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Posted by Rod |
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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. |
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Posted by ShamrockPirate ![]() |
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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
![]() 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 |
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Posted by Rod |
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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. |
Races
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Current Races:
Garagiste's Test Lab

Race #1939
INFOby brainaid.de
RC 44 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
23 August at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Aug 10th 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!
GO TO RACE
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
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Race starts: Aug 21st 15:03
Registration Open!
Caravanserai
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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!
GO TO RACE
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
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Race starts: Sep 16th 11:13
Registration Closed
BLANK POLAR
Race starts: Feb 16th 00:00
Registration Open!
SYC Ranking
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- 2013 SSANZ B&G Simrad
- 2013 Capt Anderson
- 2012 W Australia Regatta
- 2012 Tall Ships
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- 2012 Global Challenge
- 2012 Ecker Cup
- 2012 Black Sea
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- 2011 Vancouver Island
- 2011 Tasman Double
- 2011 SSANZ B&G Simrad
- 2011 SOL Global Challenge
- 2011 SJORA Series
- 2011 Scandinavian Tour
- 2011 Round North Island
- 2011 Asian Sprints
- 2011-2012 SOL World Race
- 2010 Tasman Double
- 2010 Ouzo Rally
- 2010 Iberian Tour
- 2010 Auckland Regional
- 2009 French SOLo
- 2009 Bosphore - Bretagne
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- 2008 -2013 SYC Ocean Race Championship
- 2008-2009 Sailonline Ocean Race
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