Virtual sailing
Sailors are now turning to the virtual world to get their sailing fix, following the cancellation of regattas around the world.
Written by Jack O'Rourke
Photography by Virtual Regatta
24 March 2020
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In this new era of lockdowns and social distancing, owners and crews who want to take the boat out racing are finding it more and more difficult, as sailing clubs around the world cancel and postponed their regattas.
While getting out on the water has not yet been banned, many boat owners are wisely practising caution by acting on the guidelines issued by health services.
With the closure of many state borders in Australia, this has made it more difficult to host rallies up and down the coast, and cruising interstate will now become a challenge, with advice changing day-to-day.
As an alternative, many in the sailing community are finding new ways get that does of adrenaline, turning to the world of virtual sailing to stay engaged with the sport.
Following the cancellation of the SailGP event in San Francisco, organisers have developed an eSailGP program. The weekend of the 21 March saw them host a Qualifier Final.
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The top 8 competitors qualified for the final and to the world championship playoffs.
Competitors completed three races back to back, with the top two competing in a match race final to determine the ultimate winner.
The eF50 compete on a simulated course created by Virtual Regatta, the world’s leading digital sailing platform. Started in 2010, it has created one of the most popular sailing games in the world, with more than one million players each year. Virtual Regatta has also partnered with World Sailing and the eSailing World Championship.
As well as hosting the eSailGP championships, Virtual regatta allows sailors to take part in online simulations of the most famous sailing races, including the Volvo Ocean Race, Vendée Globe, Transat Jacques Vabre, Fastnet, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Route du Rhum and Clipper Race.
Virtual Regatta recently launched The Great Escape, a virtual race from La Rochelle, France to Curaçao in the Caribbean.
Professional offshore sailors such as Sam Davies, Armel Le Cléac’h, Boris Hermann, and Jérémie Beyou are participating in the race along with thousands of e-sailors.
Participants were able to choose from one of four well known offshore boats – the Ultim, IMOCA, Class 40, and the Figaro 3. The weather conditions within the game will replicate the real-life conditions across the route and the estimated time of arrival for the first boat is 31 March.
Meanwhile, Sail Newport in America has hosted an entertaining virtual regatta series called the Quahog Cup, which started on 22 March.
The first race was around Narragansett Bay using one design Farr 30s. Organisers of the race see it as a great alternative, with no registration fee, no entry fee, no one getting a sunburn, and no need to leave the house.
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