America's Cup observations from PredictWind
by Predictwind 7 Feb 2021 02:41 UTC

New AC Weather Stations © Predictwind.com
PredictWind is the Weather Data Supplier of the 36th America's Cup presented by Prada. The America's Cup is the most prestigious sailing event in the world, and its 36th edition will take place in Auckland, New Zealand in March 2021. Our PredictWind customers now have access to the same world leading wind forecasts & Observations as the America's Cup teams with PredictWind.
Weather Stations
The America's Cup Event Ltd and the Challenger of Record selected PredictWind to install 14 weather stations for the America's Cup event. The America's Cup teams monitor the wind in real time using this extremely dense weather network to give them an edge to win races. The same data is also available for all PredictWind customers on the Basic package or above.
Weather Forecasts
Many of the America's Cup team members are regular PredictWind users. They rely heavily on PredictWind forecasts for race day and training decisions.
"I have been using PredictWind's forecast and observations over many years. The tools provide a great understanding of what is likely to happen during the day and how it is tracking. During our America's Cup training we use the PredictWind observations a lot in the Hauraki Gulf for any changes, trends and to get the most out of the day. I would definitely recommend PredictWind to anyone heading out on the water." - Peter Burling
"I really enjoy using the PredictWind app wherever I'm racing around the World. The weather models and predictions are extremely accurate whilst the app itself is intuitive." - Sir Ben Ainslie
"I have been using PredictWind for many years now and rely on the information for all the racing I do. Having access to the different weather models gives an immediate understanding of how a day will likely play out, and gives you confidence in a lot of decisions for the day. The different graphical features are also really helpful to visualise wind patterns in venues that we haven't been to very often." - Dean Barker
"Sailing, foiling, surfing, fishing, paddling, hunting.... any time I do an outdoor activity the first thing I do is look at PredictWind. Great tool and technology, has been really beneficial for all my activities - I highly recommend it." - Jimmy Spithill
Race Committee
The Race Committee uses PredictWind forecasts, observations, and a new PredictWind tidal current model for the Hauraki Gulf to give competitors the true wind speed adjusted for tidal currents.
"America's Cup 36 Race Management fully utilize the services of PredictWind for high resolution local forecasting on the five Americas Cup designated areas. Quality information is required 24 hours before racing for initial planning of the next days racing and PredictWind delivers. On race day PredictWind's reliable solutions in combination with easy to read local observations provides us with the necessary tools to make the right choices in setting precise courses for the extreme performance of the AC36 yachts." - Iain Murray, Regatta Director for the America's Cup
Data for the Host Broadcaster
The host TV broadcaster for the America's Cup uses PredictWind for the TV coverage including all available PredictWind forecast data, a real time wind field based on the observations, and tidal currents.
Spectator Boats
The PredictWind App now has an "America's Cup" menu, where spectator boats can check their position relative to the course area, and the spectator boundary areas. The spectator area is automatically updated using the GPS units in the spectator boundary marks. This feature was requested by the America's Cup Race Committee.