Competitors set for slingshot to Boston in Volvo Ocean Race

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 21 Apr 2009
Competitors on Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race to Boston are expected to face some rough weather before the finish on Saturday.

Currently (20 April at 1500hrs, local time) the www.predictwind.com!PredictWind model show the fleet on a beam reach in 14-16kt winds from a NE direction. With Telefonica Blue 30-40nm ahead of a bunch comprising Ericssons 3 & 4 and Puma Racing.

In around three days time they will pass between two strong weather systems, with winds in one hitting 25kts and in the other over 35kts - with an increase in wind strength of about 20% in gusts above these predictions.

Winds in the second stronger system swing south to the SE and will push the fleet quickly towards Boston, before easing to just eight knots two days out from the finish.

Based on the www.predictwind.com!PredictWind prognosis, the www.iexpedition.org!Expedition prediction is that there will not be a change in the lead, and Telefonica Blue should hold her advantage through the fresh weather pattern, and then split away from the rest of the fleet to increase her lead out to the 40nm she enjoys at present. Behind her the Ericssons and Puma Racing are expected to continue their close battle all the way to Boston.

At this stage we are expecting a race finish at around 1400hrs on 25 April, local time or 1800hrs UTC on 25 April.

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The images used in this story have been generated by www.iexpedition.org!Expedition which is a tactical and navigation software application which has been developed by veteran Volvo Ocean Race navigator and Whitbread winner, physicist Nick White, initially for his use in the 2001-2 Volvo Ocean Race with Team News Corp and the Stars & Stripes Americas Cup team.

Since then, www.iexpedition.org!Expedition has been continually refined by a core group of world-renowned navigators and two-time America’s Cup winning navigator Peter Isler has consulted closely in the development of the system. Expedition supports more instrument systems, is easier to use and has the most powerful and useful functions for the racing navigator.

Expedition is now has PredictWind integrated into the application as an option for PredictWind subscribers.

The wind data and prognosis used to produce these images also uses software developed by www.predictwind.com!PredictWind, an application developed by Jon Bilger a top NZ youth and Olympic sailor who turned his hand to wind and weather prediction, and helped Alinghi to their outstanding victories in the last two America's Cups.

Now that same technology is available to the weekend sailing and club racers, the cruising fraternity or professional sailors around the world. Select any region in the world of interest to you and www.predictwind.com!PredictWind will monitor the area for you and provide updated predictions on demand.

PredictWind is a subscription system, with a number of options. While some may feel the wind is free, the ability to get a five day detailed wind forecast for an area of interest creates great peace of mind, allowing forward planning and decision making to be made with some certainty. The time and money saved through being able to work with a high degree of confidence, is more than offset by the relatively small cost of the subscription.

But don't take our word for it, get www.predictwind.com!PredictWind now and have a 30 day trial for free, and see for yourself.