Please select your home edition
Edition
B&G Zeus SR AUS

2024 BYCMACK - Online weather seminar offering

by Bayview Mackinac Race 22 Jan 2024 04:10 AEDT March 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Bayview Mackinac Race 2021 © Bayview Yacht Club

Doing well in a long-distance race such as the Bayview Mack or Chicago Mac demands teamwork, endurance, and a routing strategy based on an accurate weather forecast.

Developing a competitive strategy requires an understanding of basic weather forecasting principles, a familiarity with weather resources, and a working knowledge of modern routing software.

This three-part webinar series is designed for sailors who are relatively new to long-distance racing or experienced competitors who would like to refresh their skills before the season begins.

Seminar Topics:

  • Finding and Interpreting Weather Maps
  • Weather Forecast Model Basics
  • Wind Forecasting
  • Forecasting Thunderstorms
  • Doppler Weather Radar Basics
  • Getting Weather Data
  • Measuring Forecast Model Accuracy
  • Weather Routing Essentials

Download the flyer for this series.

Recordings
Don't worry if you can't attend one of the live sessions. Each session will be recorded and made available to all registered attendees until July 15, 2024.

About the presenter

Mark Thornton has sailed for more than 30 years and currently owns Osprey, a Mainship 34 Pilot. His interest in weather forecasting grew from his experiences cruising and racing on the Great Lakes. Mark is a 2006 graduate of the Penn State University Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting, a two-year program that develops skills in general, tropical, and severe weather forecasting.

He is the president of LakeErieWX LLC, a company dedicated to providing marine weather education and forecasting resources for recreational boaters (www.lakeeriewx.com). Mark publishes a marine weather blog and teaches basic forecasting seminars to recreational boaters during the off-season. He has served as the Race Meteorologist for the Bayview Mackinac Race since 2014. Mark is also on the faculty of Annapolis Boat Shows - Cruiser University.

Live Webinar Series

  • When: March 14, 21 and 28, 2024
  • Time: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm (Eastern)
  • Cost: $80 for the entire series (and access to the recordings until July 15, 2024)
  • Registration: bit.ly/44kP446

Register now here

Related Articles

Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 2
Pieter-Jan Postma leads after the second day of racing in The Netherlands Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, is leading the fleet of 307 Finns from 27 countries after everyone sailed two more races at the 2025 Finn World Masters in Medemblik. France's Laurent Hay is second with Germany's Fabian Lemmel in third. Posted on 17 Jun
World Sailing launches the World Sailing Academy
A new online learning platform for the global sailing community World Sailing officially launched the World Sailing Academy, an innovative new online learning platform designed to provide comprehensive educational resources and training to sailors, coaches, officials, administrators, and the global sailing community. Posted on 17 Jun
Sailing and the summer solstice
Celebrating sailing and the longest day of the year If you love long evenings and early mornings, this is one of the best times of the whole year, as the summer solstice (Friday, June 20) and the entire rich expanse of summer are about to burst into bloom. Posted on 17 Jun
New Caledonia Groupama Race update
Rushour crew safely back in Noumea after capsize The boat was located and it was identified as capsized. All crew members were accounted for. Crew were transferred in the larger aircraft at Koumac and arrived back at Noumea at about 4pm local time. Posted on 17 Jun
Video Review: The Amazing Cure 55
Composite Construction meets Cruising Convenience It was two years ago at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that I talked to Dave Biggar about his ideas and plans for the Cure 55. At the 2025 show I got to step on board the yacht and see how his ideas became reality. Posted on 17 Jun
ASBA launches Touring Trophy Series
The new leadership team brings experience, enthusiasm, and strong focus on inclusivity and planning The Australian Sports Boat Association (ASBA) has announced a dynamic new initiative to enhance participation and connectivity within the sports boat community - the ASBA Touring Trophy series. Posted on 16 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 1
Eight races over two course areas in four groups with four different winners Racing at the 2025 Finn World Masters began in Medemblik, The Netherlands, on Monday with eight races over two course areas in four groups. Posted on 16 Jun
The Ocean Race will return to Itajaí, Brazil
During the 2027 and 2031 around the world races The Ocean Race confirms Itajaí, in Santa Catarina state, in Brazil will once again host the world's most iconic around-the-world yacht race in April, 2027 and again in 2031, in a two-edition hosting partnership. Posted on 16 Jun
IRC UK National Championships overall
Adam Gosling's JPK 1080 Yes! crowned overall champion The final day of the 2025 IRC National Championships, part of the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary Regatta, began on schedule, with a steady south-westerly breeze bringing yet another twist to the range of conditions experienced. Posted on 16 Jun
Royal Thames YC 250th Anniversary Regatta overall
Perfect Solent conditions and desperately tight racing for the conclusion Picture-perfect conditions of a building 8-18 knots from the south-west, bright sunshine and flat Solent conditions on the flood tide made for a glamorous conclusion to the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary Regatta on Sunday. Posted on 16 Jun
Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERSwitch One Design