Virtual Skipper 2 released in Australia

by Rob Kothe on 10 Jun 2003 Finally someone got it right. Virtual Skipper 2 has brought reality to the computer sailing world - realistic yachts, weather and seas make this game the best racing Simulator on the market to date. Available to purchase here in Australia, from Getaway Sailing in Sydney.

It’s the game of games. You can choose your boat, your conditions, the course and the competition, match or fleet race...it’s got it all!! From the Hauraki Gulf to Cowes, La Trinite to San Francisco, international locations set the scene for the most realistic racing available of the water. Match races or up to 8 players fleet races let you race the computer or go online and test yourself against the rest of the world.

Andrew Lygo, Director of Getaway, found the game whilst surfing online. Once he started playing, he was hooked. So much so that he contacted the importer and placed an order for 30 sets. ' it’s a great teaching aid for us here at the Sailing School. It’s so realistic it helps students understand the wind, racing and the importance of good tactics. The only problem is that the staff here are all younger than me, and sadly a lot better than me!' said Andrew; 'We had a BBQ night last month where students came over for a VS2 night. Match racing on San Francisco Bay - it was a hoot. A few punch ups at the top mark but who cares when you don’t have to fix the gel-coat'.

Four boats are available varying in size from the pocket rocket Melges 24™ to the monstrous Ocean Trimaran. Fleet racing 8 Americas Cup™ yachts around a short windward/Leeward course is chaotic and intensely real. The Computer knows all the rules and their interpretations, infringe on a windward boat, or the 2 boat length rule at the mark and you are sure to be hit with a 360°. It will even explain why you were penalised, if you wish to take the time mid-race to find out.

Conditions also dictate how you race. Choose from force 1 to force 6, and select the right sails for the conditions, to big and you are overpowered (with convincing weather helm), to small and you drop out the back of the fleet. Stronger breezes produce larger swells allowing for great surfing downwind, you can even take the Open 60 up to 32 knots!! Pick which side of the course the wind will shift before the start and you are off to a flyer.

The navigation comes with all the instruments you would expect from a modern racing yacht, Trues and Apparents, VMG, Speed, heel and efficiency gauges and targets are all there.

Just as in life, keeping track of all of them is headache in itself!

Virtual Skipper 2 is now available from Getaway Sailing Adventures for $69.95. Go online to www.getaway-sailing.com or call (02) 91 811 911.