11:46 AM Thu 21 May 2009 GMT
According to current projections the Volvo Ocean Race fleet should have a very fast trip across the Atlantic and are expected to finish around 0900hrs on Sunday, local time.
Already in the grips of one 30kt front, the system looks like it will extend for most of the trip across the to Galway, Ireland. After moderating for a time, a second system will move in for the final push to coast of the Emerald Isle.
While the fleet is beginning to stretch out a little at present, Expeditionand PredictWindexpect that situation to change as the fleet exits the first strong wind system, and concertinas together as they near Ireland.
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A second weather feed sees a more significant gap between the two systems, meaning that the fleet is likely to only finish in winds of around 15kts, ahead of the second front.
In terms of finish position while Ericsson 4 currently enjoys a handy lead of seven miles over Telefonica Black with Telefonica Blue 22 nm astern, this lead is projected to collapse by the time they reach Galway and the winner is too close to call at this stage.
Part of the reason for this bunching of the fleet is that no-one is making any major moves away from the group at this stage.
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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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