Winning yachts use Tidetech GRIB files for Rolex Sydney-Hobart

by Infront Communications on 30 Dec 2008 Some of Australia's top racing yachts in the 64th Rolex Sydney Hobart gained a competitive edge from a cutting-edge new service that presented ocean currents and sea temperatures in conjunction with their navigational charts.

Three of the top four champions after handicap used GRIB data from Tidetech (www.tidetech.org) including overall winner Quest, third place-getter Wot Now and fourth placed Yendys.

Navigator on Quest, Bruce Baker said Tidetech's technology helped them achieve their win.

'We have been testing Tidetech's GRIB files with data from the CSIRO for the last month now and have found it to be pretty accurate. This meant that on this Sydney to Hobart race we could use them in our tactical routing software with confidence and we believe that the information made a difference to our overall result.'

Navigator on Quantum Racing (which won their division and came sixth after handicap overall), Bryan Northcote said the current GRIB file provided by Tidetech is the most accurate he has used.

'I was able run the Optimum route using Expedition software for Quantum Racing using the Current GRIB in combination with four different Wind GRIB files. In reality the SST and current position & direction enabled us to confidently make tactical decisions regarding wind speed & direction that are more susceptible to change.

'At sea, the information contained in the current GRIB was very accurate. Any navigator or tactician using routing software such as Expedition could not confidently use the Optimum route program without using a current GRIB file produced by Tidetech when comparing effects of wind and current to produce an optimum route.'

The new service, www.tidetech.org provided this ocean information, prior the event, in an easy-to-use GRIB format and director Penny Haire said that the results speak for themselves.

'Of the 17 yachts in the event which used the technology, 10 of them placed in the top 20. We presented details on ocean currents and temperatures as well as some analysis right up to the morning of race start and the beauty of the system is that when laid over the navigational charts in a GRIB format, the guesswork is essentially removed,' she said.

'Wild Oats XI used the data to achieve line honours, Quest placed first in IRC Division 1, Quantum Racing placed first in Division 0 (and sixth in IRC Division 1) and Wedgetail and Ragtime placed second and third in IRC Division 2.'

The next race on the Australian' calendar that is being serviced by Tidetech is the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour event. The latest sea surface current data is available for $110 and a package of the latest sea surface current data and the sea surface temperature information plus analysis is available for $220.

To subscribe, please contact penny.haire(at)tidetech.org or visit www.tidetech.org.