1:15 PM Fri 24 Apr 2009 GMT
 | | 'Skipper Bouwe Bekking checking the weather models, using the same software as we are at Sail-World, generating similar images as those below, onboard Telefonica Blue, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston'
Gabriele Olivo/Telefonica Blue/Volvo Ocean Race © |
Ericsson 4 is predicted to win Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race when it finishes in Boston on Sunday afternoon, local time.
Both feeds used by PredictWindseem to be much closer aligned than 24 hours ago and the Expeditionroute optimisation application is predicting the same arrival time at the final turning point of the Exclusion Zone.
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Once around the imaginary or virtual mark, the fleet will turn and run down the Massachusetts coast for the final 100nm.
The final stretch will be in 20kt plus headwinds - not a strong point of sailing for the Volvo 70's.
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At the final turning point, Ericsson 4 if predicted to have a lead of about 55nm, from Ericsson 3 and previous leg leader Telefonica Blue. The US Entry, Puma Racing is predicted to be just under 90nm astern of Ericsson 4.
Currently the fleet is sailing in 20kt headwinds, which will slowly swing south as the near the Exclusion Zone.
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Around 0500hrs on the 25 April, local time, the leaders will tack onto port and should eventually be able to start to ease sheets two sail reach for the Exclusion Zone in light 8kt winds from the SW or further south.
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The images used in this story have been generated by Expeditionwhich 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, Expeditionhas 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 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 PredictWindwill 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 PredictWindnow and have a 30 day trial for free, and see for yourself.
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:
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