Zezo forum:

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-17 | 18:58:44

Hi, as i misst the start of the race and left port 1 hour later than the rest I stood no chance to catch up with the front pack by following. So I had to look for a deferent route and hope the weather holds. I head up north right from the beginning riding the low as long as possible. Still on the remains of it as speaking.
The weather forecast for the north see keeps on changing drastically every six hour. so that my eta for Cuxhaven still varies up to 40 hours. At the moment the ETA for the front pack is in 125 hour. main in 95 hour. But, I do not trust the plotter. No insult Cvetan. Just hard for a plotter to compare with the little and changing data it is getting.
Is there anyone else up here in the cold. my position at 1900 UTC 60N 48 40: 008W 05 02.
Please contact me so that we can compare our times and data. At the moment it is really lonely up here and the game offers no why of seeing if there is any other boat in the proximity of my boat.

Stormy Winds and Squalls to all, Simon aka The Prodigy.

37 Comments

Post by zezo | 2018-07-17 | 19:35:59

There is an invisible gate. Two, actually. One at Lizard point and one at Dover, you have to leave both to port.

The router is perfectly capable of routing you North if you click the "Ignore gates" box, but you still be DNF/DSQ by VR standards.

Post by zezo | 2018-07-17 | 19:40:29

Post by zezo | 2018-07-17 | 20:07:08

BTW the gates come from the real-world sailing instructions:

GATE Lizard Point & Ile D'Ouessant Cr�ac'h

GATE Dover Admiralty Pier Extension & Cap Griz-Nez

VR must have some very special reason to keep them invisible.

Post by zezo | 2018-07-17 | 20:07:38

http://anniversary-regatta.com/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/Notice_of_Race/Atlantic_Anniversary_Regatta_-_Sailing_Instructions.pdf

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-17 | 20:38:59

Well, Well What do you know. Thanx Cvetan. What a bummer. But these are the Sailing rules for the real Regatta. Since when does VR care about what is happening in the real world.
Look at the last leg of VOR. 2 Legs in Clipper.... etc. If there are gates that have to be taken then they should show them as in next to all other races. This sucks. I had planned to stop playing after the last leg of the Clipper but this really pisses me of. I will try and get my money back for this an a few of the other legs. At no time did VR Refer to the official race Sailing instructions. I use to read the Sailing instructions for the VOR back in 2009 and 20013 but gave up as VR never followed there rules. Only once on the Leg to Cape Town in 2009 they pulled to Ice exclusions zone up 2 days later than in the real rece. This caused a lot of complaints as lots of boats were well south and Fucked by the late introduction.

As it is not apparent within the game I will not stop my route. I will post my Arrival time and VR can lick my Balls.

Sorry for the language, but I am really peed.
Best, Simon aka The Prodigy

PS: I know the function Ignore Gates. Otherwise i would not be able to get the zezo plotter to plot my time. I just thought these were intermediate timing gates and not gates that have to be taken. Like some invisible measuring points in other races.

Post by zezo | 2018-07-17 | 20:46:01

Well. You have the full right to be pissed. You can go for it, be first on the line and try to get a redress.

VR support will answer that the race "News" item contains the words "Leaving England to port". The item is still there. Go to the News icon and click the second entry.

A lot of players have been there already in one race or another.

Post by Marty6 | 2018-07-19 | 01:48:37

And they still have their standard excuse: Follow the white line (even if you lose places and a chance to win because others with more information take other options/shortcuts/...). Keeps VR save against complains.

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-17 | 21:08:15

News are not sailing instructions. I know I am not the first. i have witnessed a lot of frustration in the game.

Such a shame. There are so many fun people that really are good racers and the game could be so great, but....

Post by zezo | 2018-07-17 | 21:18:51

They are not. And what's even worse, there have been races for which the News mentioned non-existing gates.

The only way to be sure is to check the data source. Which you are prohibited doing by the rules.

But then even that does not work because the definitions change on the fly. Cost me a top 5 place in the last Normandy Channel Race IIRC.

Edit: It was during the Mini en Mai actually: http://zezo.org/forum.pl?tid=6462

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-17 | 21:28:21

Shure sucks. Will keep you posted. Have to see to it that I don't mess up the Tour De France as well. Great to have you here. Best Simon.

Post by zezo | 2018-07-17 | 21:31:07

No gates in the Tour. There are few, but you can't really miss Gibraltar even if you tried.

Post by nsp | 2018-07-18 | 11:42:07

Ask a refund saying that if you won't have a satisfatory answer from them in 24 hours you'll adress a Complaint to French Consumer authorities (DGCCR)

In case of lack of information, of course.

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-18 | 19:18:22

Have done. Will wait till tomorrow for an answer.

Post by Squalo | 2018-07-19 | 17:48:20

Where are the fucking gates/buoys?
In the same regatta there are three doors and only one in sight.

I have never paid, but I guess it was too much work to mark the buoys while they count the money.

I'm sorry for some sailor who has followed my route

The only instructions of the game about the course are these:

How do I know the route I need to follow?
The route you need to follow is represented by a white line on the map.
It begins at the start of the race and connects it to the finish line.
This plot is for reference only; it is not linked to any calculation. It represents the right course to follow, observing all course marks by passing on the right side of them, but not necessarily the best trajectory.
It does not take othodromy into account.

How do I sail around a buoy?
The course of the race is lined with buoys you need to pass. The direction of passage is indicated by the white line that shows the course, as well by the animated arrows circling around the buoy:

Post by zezo | 2018-07-19 | 17:52:26

It's just a matter of changing "display": "none" to "display": "buoy"

Hanlon's razor says "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity"

But I start having some doubts.

Post by Stormbringer | 2018-07-19 | 20:59:52

Arthur C Clarke said "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Which I'm sure is how VR would think of a game without bugs.

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-20 | 19:18:29

Hi Squalo. Nice to see that I am not alone. Anyone else out here?
Will sail into cuxhaven, make a screenshot and post it. Then I will head west through the channel till lizards end and back. Don't know if I will be able to do this and get back to Cuxhaven within the time limit, but will give it a go.
ETA Cuxhaven in 32 hours.

Post by Skyweed | 2018-07-21 | 12:58:30

You guys are not alone, and I'm a tiny bit less pissed to read your post. Just a tiny bit.

I chose that North route too like others. The official #1 boat is behind me, I'm now 14000th and started under 1000 when I chose that route.

I contacted tech support a few times
Answer was, follow the white line !!???!?! WTH??
No buoy? What's that new rule?
Why didn't VR simply drop a buoy like in all other races???

How can a boat follow a line anyway? It's a not a bike
And what's the tolerance? 1 nm? 2 nm? We tack too far away from the line and baaam disqualified?

Next Vendee if you sail down to cape town along the coast of africa do we get disqualified? But how far from the line do we get disqualified?
Makes no sense at all

It sounds like the end of VR for me after several years of fun. Nice app otherwise

Prodigy, what's your boat in the race? I looked for Prodigy and did not see it

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-21 | 15:14:08

Hi, look for "The Prodigy" ETA Cuxhaven 2018.07.22. 02:20 CET
As mentioned. I misst the start and left port 1 hour late and decided to take to the North from the beginning. Best ranking was 260 something. Will post screenshot at arrival. Best Simon, aka The Prodigy.

Post by Squalo | 2018-07-19 | 18:10:15

Interesting phrase, but Mr. Robert J.Hanlon didnt know the VR team.

My position was 159 when I decided the north course.

Thanks for your time.

Regards.

Post by zezo | 2018-07-19 | 18:29:52

See this thread for an instance of a change during the race. Possibly after the leading boats were already heading in the wrong direction.

http://zezo.org/forum.pl?tid=6462

Post by Cinquecento | 2018-07-19 | 18:59:14

Squalo...you have reached the top positions.. like 159, without paying? Hats off Sir, You made my day. claps and fingers up!

Post by Marty6 | 2018-07-20 | 07:54:32

Ranking doesn't matter till the final approach to the finish ;)

Post by Black Napkins | 2018-07-21 | 10:28:46

You're almost there Squalo, just around 180 nm.!

Post by Laughing Sally LRT | 2018-07-21 | 14:47:09

What a bunch of BS. I am going to cross the finish line take a photo, turn around and sail back to the 1st imaginary gate, turn around and sail back to the finish. I am so disappointed with this whole outfit. I joined to have fun and compete. Thank you for taking the fun out of the program. We should all be compensated for the past 2 weeks or so.

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-21 | 15:19:01

Hi. Can't find a boat called laughing Sally LRT?

Post by LaughingSallyLRT | 2018-07-24 | 14:33:08

Sorry LaughingSallyLRT. I finished the race on Sunday at about 18:00 EDT. I then hopped on the Frigate in the channel and I am passing boats for the second time. I will leave England to port.

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-24 | 19:45:41

Found you. I also took the frigat. as did quit a few others. Hope to finish within 5000. This after actually winning this race. Hey how.

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-21 | 15:39:28

"The Prodigy" ETA Cuxhaven 2018.07.22. 02:20 CET
https://twitter.com/SimonCoxGlaadt/status/1020698578040258561

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-22 | 05:16:59

So here I am.
https://twitter.com/SimonCoxGlaadt/status/1020899628336721920?s=19

Post by Squalo | 2018-07-22 | 16:08:48

"Squalo" ETA Cuxhaven 2018.07.22 16:05 CET

No response from VR Team.

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-22 | 17:38:03

Just taken the frigate to Lizards End. Watch out here I come again. Jumped from 14111 to 9780 in the Ranking. Will post my final ranking in about 5 days and 8 hours. Best to all.
I love sailing, but started a Hotel and Restaurant Business 5 Years ago and have no time to get out on a boat. So VR is all I am left with for the moment. Hope the VR Team read this forum an perhaps may get things sorted.

Fair Winds or as they say in Germany "break your mast and sheet". Sometimes I don't get them.

Post by Squalo | 2018-07-24 | 21:43:09

Two request and almost three days after my arrival in Cuxhaven we still have no signs of intelligent life on the other side.

I can not join the frigate, because I don�t have enough credits. I don�t lose hope of receiving any reply, even if it�s to laugh at me.
If I had paid, my anger would be quite serious.

Post by Squalo | 2018-07-24 | 22:51:39

I just received the reply, but I still don�t notice intelligent life on the other side.
Logically omits the comment that they forgot to put buoys and the paragraph of their instructions where it also says
"This plot is for reference only; it is not linked to any calculation."

At the point they tell me about "Why am I stranded on the finish line?", they have also forgotten to mention something about buoys, gates or course marks ...

Copied of his instructions.
Why am I stranded on the finish line?
If this happens, the first thing to do is to check whether you have correctly followed the circuit and, in particular, if you correctly passed the buoys and gates that appear on the map.

If you have not passed one or more course marks correctly, the race will not be validated and crossing the finish line will not end the race.

A real shame

-------
Hello,

Thank you for your message and please accept my apologies for the delay in our responding to you.

It is important to keep in mind that the route you need to follow is represented by a white line on the map.

How do I know the route I need to follow?

The white line represents the right course to follow, observing all course marks by passing on the right side of them, but not necessarily the best trajectory.

If you ever have any doubts, please be sure to check the News section of the game from the home screen that will provide some insight on the route the race/leg is taking as well.

Participants also received an email when registering for this race that stated "leaving England to port".

By not observing the correct course, you'll be stranded at the finish line as intended and not receive credit for finishing the race. Why am I stranded on the finish line?

If you have other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to let us know.

Best regards,

Post by LaughingSallyLRT | 2018-07-27 | 15:18:19

The white line answer is pure baloney. On the Clipper race from Panama to New York the �white line� went south of Cuba, some racers went around to the north. They were not DSQ. I think an apology is due and a free fully loaded boat for your choice of race. Unfortunately I didn�t see the buried leave England to port in the newsletter. As I write this I�m about 12 hours from crossing the finish line again. Thanks to all for their input. Hopefully they are listening.

Post by The Prodigy | 2018-07-27 | 20:18:11

Hi Sally Go. Thanx.
+

Post by camarro | 2018-08-10 | 10:53:37

Seems like VR "fixed" the problem with the Anniversary rout issue!

https://virtualregatta.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001442414-How-do-I-know-the-route-I-need-to-follow-