6:04 AM Sun 26 Apr 2009 GMT
 | | 'Telefonica Blue skipper Bouwe Bekking checking the weather models, the same as used by Sail-World to generate the images used in this story, onboard Telefonica Blue, on Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston'
Gabriele Olivo/Telefonica Blue/Volvo Ocean Race © |
Sail-World in conjunction with PredictWindwill post regular updates in this story as the fleet sail the last 100 nm or so as the Volvo Ocean race fleet head for the finish of Leg 6 at Boston.
Update 26 April at 0400hrs:
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Ericsson 4 was 16nm from the turning point of the Exclusion Zone. Four yachts were sailing up the northern edge of the Exclusion Zone, with Ericsson 3 in second place about 10nm behind Ericsson 4. The fleet have made faster than expected progress to the next turning point and were now expected to sail the final 100nm initially in 20kt headwinds, which are still expected the veer to the north later in the day.
The order at this point is Ericsson 4, followed by Ericsson 3 11nm astern, with Puma Racing a further 11nm back and Telefonica Blue just 1nm astern of Puma.
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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
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