The UnOfficial, Independent Source of Chicago to Mackinac Race Information
Distance Race Sailing Challenge - Sailing Simulator
New for 2003
Buy Distant Race Sailing Challenge Now In The Secure Online Torresen Sailing Store
PURPOSE: Experience ten different races of
70 to 350 miles in a variety of locations. You compete against a fleet of up to
20 wily competitors. You determine strategy and control course, sail selection,
and mainsail shape of your boat, which responds very realistically to your
commands. Improve your skills by simulated experience and by online, interactive
tutorials, which teach Strategy & Tactics and 2001-2004 Racing Rules.
FLEETS: Choose a one-design fleet from the
Options Menu:
- Offshore Racer: Hi tech, fast and very
responsive to course and sail changes.
- Sprit Boats: High performance boats with
bowsprits and asymmetrical spinnakers.
- Racer-Cruiser: Medium performance boats
means more tactical racing and deeper downwind angles.
- Catamarans: Very fast and very sensitive to
strategic decisions.
For each boat type, you can select length (30 ft to 50 ft), displacement
category, sail area and rig type (fractional or masthead).
Boat behavior is realistic in response to your steering and sail trim as well
as wind and waves. Behavior is based on extremely accurate performance
calculation models that determine leeway, speed through the water, heel angle,
etc.
THE RACES: . Selected for complex strategy
often involving land affected winds and variable currents. Winds are the result
of: Movement of weather systems, including frontal passages. Building and dying
sea breeze or lake breeze or land breeze. Shoreline effects of convergence,
divergence, and channeling. Every race is different every time!
- In the Southern New England / New York area:
Vineyard Race, Block Island Race, and Long Island Sound Triangle.
Variable, reversing, but predictable tidal currents. Land is often on two
sides causing changeable winds.
- In the New England / Nova Scotia area:
Marblehead to Halifax Race and Halifax to Gloucester Race.
Strong Bay of Fundy currents and a long race with significant weather
system movement.
- Chesapeake Bay area: Governor's Cup,
Annapolis to Bay Mouth, and Annapolis to Smith Point and Back.
Changeable, land affected winds and tricky currents.
- Great Lakes area: Chicago to Mackinac
Race. Localized lake breezes and significant weather system movement.
- Florida area: Ft Lauderdale to Key West
Race and Miami to Nassau Race. The mighty Gulf Stream and shifty
winds due to warm water.
REALISTIC 3D 360° "ROVING EYE" GRAPHICS: In
the zoomable 3D Sailing View, you see your boat and all sails in fine detail,
responding to adjustments and steering. You see the competition, nearby shores,
buoys and racing marks, whitecaps, puffs on the water, etc. You can easily look
in any direction and see your sails from any angle without turning your boat.
Optional windows can show a zoomable overhead view or a small, zoomable
navigation chart.
NAVIGATION CHART VIEW: The chart is
zoomable and slidable like electronic charts, so you can look at large area
charts or detailed charts of your racing area. It shows the position of your
boat. The Chart View can be full screen or you can watch your boat's progress in
a small chart window in the 3D Sailing View. Use the chart to avoid shoals and
to set up to nine waypoints for your GPS. With waypoints you can have range
& bearing information in the Sailing View.
Buy Distant Race Sailing Challenge Now In The Secure
Online Torresen Sailing Store
FEATURES THAT HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR RACING
ENJOYMENT:
- 15 Levels of difficulty keep you on
the learning curve and having fun. Difficulty impacts sailing conditions and
determines opponent abilities so that even the best racers will be challenged.
- Weather Forecast Display shows
predicted wind for today and tomorrow. Usually right but, as in the real
world, sea breezes can be a surprise. Also shown are times of current change
and a history of wind direction after the race starts.
- Current Chart (optional) shows
current vectors (arrows) over the racing area. You can zoom in for more
detail. You can page ahead in one-hour intervals to see future current.
- Wind Chart (optional) shows wind
vectors over the racing area. The arrows are color coded to show why the wind
at any point differs from the average. You can zoom in for more detail.
- Coach (optional) is always available
to critique your sail trim, sail selection, strategy and tactics.
- Instant Justice Protest Committee
penalizes all offenders, tells the 2001-2004 Rule violated and it's number.
- Reference manual e-book gets you
racing quickly. Racing suggestions e-book gives expert advice on boatspeed,
strategy, tactics, wind and weather patterns.
- Ease of Use Features - Optional, easy
mouse click steering. Optional tack, jibe, sail closehauled, and tack downwind
commands. Extensive Help Screens. Options to give some jobs, like mainsheet
control, to the computer. Hot keys and control buttons for frequently used
commands.
Enjoy thousands of miles of racing without losing
sleep!
Buy Distant Race Sailing Challenge Now In The Secure
Online Torresen Sailing Store
Requires Windows 95 or better or Power Macintosh with Power PC. Available on
CD-Rom.