Virtual Regatta – how it all works!

1. Name and registration: In the top left of the screen you will find your personal ID. If you are logged in as a guest, this will be a fairly long number. Otherwise, you should see the user name that you have selected. Please note: To avoid losing your progress in the regatta when switching devices, you must set up an account. Without an account, you may only play the game on the same browser on the same device, should you want to take a break at any time. If you would like to create an account, click on the banner "Guest_xxxx..." and select "Create your account".
    
2. Shop: Here you have the opportunity to exchange real money for certain advantages in the game. Credits can be exchanged for equipment. As a VIP subscriber, you have additional features such as more programmable waypoints, radar and special routing options available to you. Please note: The subscription renews automatically. As the name suggests, a full pack provides all the available features for your virtual boat and can be used for one race. Sailing the race fully equipped offer advantages but will incur costs.
    
3. Available races: Here you can see all races that are currently underway or about to start. You can move further down the list by clicking on the arrow.
    
4. Help: This section will give you a hand if you get stuck. The tutorial will support you with your first virtual steps, the lifebelt will take you to an FAQ area, and VIP subscribers can also access live support.
    
5. News: The virtual boat landing also offers all kinds of news from the world of sailing. Click here to find the most recent messages from the developers.
    
6. Upcoming races: This overview will help if you are unable to find a race in the main overview (3). Here you will find all upcoming races with start times and information about the course.
    
7. Regatta history: Here you will find any previous regatta achievements.
    
8. Player search: If you know any other players, you can search for them here and view their profiles.
    
9. Messages: Other players or team mates can send you short messages. You will find these by clicking on the envelope icon on the bottom right.
    
10. Teams: You can find out which players are sailing on a given team under this menu item. You also have the option of starting your own team and setting the criteria for interested players to join.
     
11. Your network: If you would like to connect with other players during the game, you can see whose successes you're chasing and who's been nipping at your digital heels. The principle is similar to any common social network.
     
12. Private races: Here you will find special races that are not publicly listed. Please do not confuse this with our YACHT special competition. You must enter a partner code for this.

When you select the Pantaenius Rund Skagen race on your start screen, you have the option of entering the code right at the start of the race. In the bottom left, you will see a red field. After entering the code, click on "OK" to confirm.

If you have already started the race, you can click on the home button on the top right and enter the partner code retroactively. To do this, select the button with the handshake icon.

When you have selected a regatta, you will then be prompted to equip your boat. Clicking on the green button "Prepare my boat" will take you to the virtual equipment supplier. In the next section, you can change the appearance of the yacht. This is a purely visual change and will not impact the performance of the yacht. It's best to just skip this and click the green "OK" button on the bottom right. On the right you should now see a full range of available equipment. Clicking on a piece of equipment will tell you what it does. Use the arrow on the top right to return to the overview. Take note of your virtual credits; the costs of the individual elements vary.

Not interested in purchasing equipment? When prompted to purchase a full pack (the complete set of equipment), you can simply click next to the pop-up window to click the green play button in the bottom centre again.

It's time to start!

1. Your ID: As on the start screen, you will find your user name or guest ID in the top left.
    
2. Ranking: Underneath you will see the current ranking. To apply regional filters, you must be logged in with an account.
    
3. 3D animation: Can you already feel the spray on your skin? In this really quite nifty 3D animation, you can examine your yacht in all its glory. Click on the water, hold the mouse down and move the camera with it. You can go back by clicking on the map on the top right.
    
4. Sail: Depending on the sails that are available for your yacht, you can adjust your cloth to the current conditions here. The current recommendation from the game is highlighted in green.
    
5. Routing: As a VIP subscriber or full-pack purchaser you can use up to 15 waypoints. As a standard user, there are two or more waypoints at your disposal. You will receive the third and subsequent waypoints, rather less charmingly, in return for your willingness to watch a short advertising clip or by investing 50 of your virtual credits. To select a routing goal, you must click on the transparent grey button underneath the red crosshair, hold down the mouse button and move it to your desired position on the map. Then click on the green button "Routing". After a brief calculation time, your options will appear. You can confirm your desired option by clicking on "OK".
    
6. Centre the map around your yacht.
    
7. Heading: This is the direction in which your yacht is currently sailing.
    
8. Course: Where should I be going? With the help of the gauge below on the left, you can set your course. Hold down the mouse button to change course and confirm your desired course by clicking on the green arrow. If you have activated routing, your yacht will continue to sail towards the waypoints you have selected.
    
9. Speed regulator: Allows you to keep the current angle to the wind by clicking on the lock.
    
10. Knots: Your current speed.
     
11. Wind: The current wind strength.
     
12. Player search: Here you can search for other players and get information about their progress in the race.
     
13. Radar: As a full-pack purchaser or VIP subscriber or in exchange for 50 credits, you can activate the radar to identify boats that are in your immediate vicinity. We wouldn't necessarily want to call this copying; after all, a little inspiration can't hurt now and then.
     
14. Messages: Personal messages from friends or your team.
     
15. Social network: Who's doing what right now? Players that you follow or who follow you can communicate with you here.
     
16. Expert settings: You can plot your course manually here without using automatic routing. Set specific course changes to occur at set times, so that you can stay on course without having to constantly watch the race. In addition, here you will also find information about the performance of your yacht in different wind conditions (VPP velocity prediction programme). Something for the real aficionados!
     
17. Weather forecast: You can't have a successful race without a proper marine weather forecast. Here you can check current forecasts and get information about the weather over the next few hours.
     
18. Display options: Define what you want to see on the map. For example, only the participants of the private competition from YACHT and Pantaenius Yacht Insurance.
     
19. Home: Back to the main menu. Here you have the option to change settings or enter your partner code. To do this, select the "Partner Code" button with the handshake icon.