2014 Melbourne to Vanuatu Virtual Race
For the first time, "stay at home sailors" can join others from around the world to test their navigation skills in the virtual version of the ORCV's Melbourne to Vanuatu 2014.
Online sail-racing navigation simulation Sailonline.org is partnering with the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, to bring a virtual version of the Melbourne to Vanuatu Race to armchair navigators around the world. Race start is at the same time as the real race on Saturday, 29th June 2014 at 09:00 local time (Friday, 28th June at 23:00 UTC) and follows the same course.
Sailonline.org is a non-profit, non-commercial sail-racing navigation simulation run entirely by volunteers. All races are free to join and each Soler (one who sails on Sailonline) gets exactly the same boat. The challenge is navigating through the weather. Sailonline uses almost real-time weather downloaded from NOAA every six hours and the boat physics are considered to be the most life-like of any online simulation.
The Beneteau First 47.7 is the boat chosen from the Sailonline fleet to compete against the actual yachts in the race.
To add to the realism, Sailonline.org has arranged with OceanTrackto overlay the positions of the real fleet onto the virtual race screen so armchair navigators can see how they are faring against the real yachts in the race as they make their way to Vanuatu.
Whether you are a seasoned old salt or a newbie, all are welcome and there is always someone willing to help with questions in the online race chatroom.
Registration for the virtual Melbourne to Vanuatu Race will open on Saturday 21st June 2014 at 09:00 Melbourne time (Friday 20th June 23:00 UTC) giving plenty of time to learn the ropes of armchair navigation before the race starts.
For more details please go to the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sailonlineorg/151732058212110
https://www.facebook.com/OceanRacingClub?fref=ts
http://www.orcv.org.au/index.php/sailing/races/long-distance-events/vanuatu
