danfoley
New member
The Volvo Ocean Race is due to start on the 4th October with an in-port race. Scuttlebutters have joined two online games which allow you to race against thousands of others alongside the real life participants in their Volvo Open 70's
Essentially it is a navigation race, where we must instruct our virtual boats around the world issuing instructions in course changes. The skill comes in reading the real weather forecasts (overlayed on the chart in the game) requiring you to choose the most efficient course around the globe, this isn't always the shortest course as there is significant speed differences depending on the wind angle, just as in real life.
The "official" volvo ocean racing game is taking the race one step further with the ability to purchase various add-ons for a nominal sum. Scuttlebutters have chosen to level the field in the group with a Gentlemen's agreement to not purchase any add-ons. However, should the shop become free then we will re-evaluate that agreement.
For us mere mortals who wish to join in with the race from the comfort of our armchair/sofa/office desk the two options are:
http://www.volvooceanracegame.org - this is completely online within a web browser
YBW forums have a group called Scuttlebutt - to join please send me (Fireball) a PM here with your boat name.
Please remember to activate your account before requesting an invitation to the group.
and
http://sailonline.org/ - this currently requires a client download, a web based version should be out soon.
There is currently no group facility, as an alternative we are adopting a prefix "YBW" in front of our boat names.
All that remains is a wish of Fair winds to all!
Fireball
PS Thanks to Fireball for organising this, and you can follow the real Volvo Oceans Race at Yachting World
Essentially it is a navigation race, where we must instruct our virtual boats around the world issuing instructions in course changes. The skill comes in reading the real weather forecasts (overlayed on the chart in the game) requiring you to choose the most efficient course around the globe, this isn't always the shortest course as there is significant speed differences depending on the wind angle, just as in real life.
The "official" volvo ocean racing game is taking the race one step further with the ability to purchase various add-ons for a nominal sum. Scuttlebutters have chosen to level the field in the group with a Gentlemen's agreement to not purchase any add-ons. However, should the shop become free then we will re-evaluate that agreement.
For us mere mortals who wish to join in with the race from the comfort of our armchair/sofa/office desk the two options are:
http://www.volvooceanracegame.org - this is completely online within a web browser
YBW forums have a group called Scuttlebutt - to join please send me (Fireball) a PM here with your boat name.
Please remember to activate your account before requesting an invitation to the group.
and
http://sailonline.org/ - this currently requires a client download, a web based version should be out soon.
There is currently no group facility, as an alternative we are adopting a prefix "YBW" in front of our boat names.
All that remains is a wish of Fair winds to all!
Fireball
PS Thanks to Fireball for organising this, and you can follow the real Volvo Oceans Race at Yachting World
