Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Rolex Sydney Hobart- Back markers in for a pummeling as front hits

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz on 28 Dec 2014
Pretty Fly III encounters big sea approaching Tasman Island - 2013 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Rolex/Daniel Forster http://www.regattanews.com
With the front runners in the Rolex Sydney Hobart expected to sneak through in light to moderate tail winds, the weather prognosis for the remainder of the fleet is, well, interesting.

An advancing cold front, mentioned by Roger 'Clouds' Badham in his weather preview (see earlier story) will give the middle and tail end a hurry-up.

The simple analysis is that fresh northerly winds will give the fleet a fast ride on Sunday and during the daylight hours of Monday.

Off Tasman Island, the last major turning point for the finish in the Derwent River, the breeze will be 18-25kts from the north today, Sunday, and will then start to build to just under 40kts on Monday, again from the north.

Those unfortunate to be still racing on Monday evening will experience a wind swinging to the SW around 6.00pm on Monday eventing and gusting over 30kts.

Those winds will stay for Tuesday and will increase to over 40kts on Tuesday afternoon, but beginning to swing to the NW.

With light winds prevailing for most of Saturday, the boats at the tail of the fleet have over 400nm to sail as of Sunday at 0830hrs local time, and will almost certainly be caught in the strong head winds and big seas.

Whangarei Marina 1 (728 x 90px) BOTTOMVetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERHALLSPARS_BOOMS_SW_728X99MILLIUS-65 BOTTOM

Related Articles

59th Congressional Cup at Long Beach Day 2
First four advance to quarter-finals Closing out the opening round-robin stage of the 59th Congressional Cup today in Long Beach, the top four teams - Ian Williams/ GBR, Jeppe Borch/ DEN, Dave Hood/ USA and Gavin Brady/ USA, each advance to the Quarter-final stage of the event.
Posted today at 3:40 am
Finns and French finish Ocean Globe Race
Galiana WithSecure and Evrika excape the windhole 40nm from the finish line It was a long, painfully slow final two days to complete their circumnavigation. But, finally, Galiana WithSecure FI (06) and Evrika FR (07) crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron finish line in a moody windless, moonlight Cowes arrival.
Posted on 25 Apr
No major fears for Sunday's Transat CIC start
There will be no initial gales to contend with, rather a relatively light winds start As all of the Transat CIC skippers convened this morning at Lorient's La Base for the main briefing before Sunday's start of the 3,500 miles solo race across the North Atlantic to New York, ideas about the weather are the main topic of discussion.
Posted on 25 Apr
Last Chance Regatta at Hyères, France Day 5
Sister act seals Olympic spot in windsurfing Czech sisters Katerina and Barbora Svikova took gold and silver in the three-rider final of the women's windsurfing competition on day five of the Last Chance Regatta in the south of France.
Posted on 25 Apr
PlanetSail Episode 8: Human Power
It's a simple question - How do you power an AC75? It's a simple question - How do you power an AC75? This time around for the third generation Cup boats the answer is different depending on whether you're talking about above or below the waterline. And this time around cycling looks set to be the answer.
Posted on 25 Apr
The must-do Rolex Middle Sea Race
The start of 45th edition is six months away Starting from Grand Harbour, Valletta, the Mediterranean's premier 600-mile classic promises much and always over delivers for participants and spectators alike.
Posted on 25 Apr
American Magic's AC75 Race Boat Uncloaked
Commissioning of B3 continues in Barcelona New York Yacht Club American Magic, Challenger for the 37th America's Cup, uncloaked its AC75 race boat, "B3," as commissioning continues in Barcelona.
Posted on 25 Apr
RS Tera Worlds 2024 already breaking records
Selling out more than 3 months in advance of the event In a record-breaking first for the International RS Tera Class, the RS Tera World Championship 2024 registration has reached maximum capacity - selling out more than 3 months in advance of the event.
Posted on 25 Apr
Lunven and Soudée on the dockside in Lorient
Preparing for a classic north Atlantic passage in the Transat CIC Once again La Base marina in Lorient, Brittany – the main home of the IMOCA fleet – is a hive of activity as 33 boats and their skippers prepare for the daunting challenge of the North Atlantic alone.
Posted on 25 Apr
Antigua Sailing Week 2024 Preview
All set to deliver sensational racing and amazing parties in a beautiful setting Antigua Sailing Week is back for the 55th edition with 13 racing classes filled to the brim with sailors from all over the world. Teams from over 20 different nations are set for the Caribbean's famous regatta.
Posted on 25 Apr