Volvo Ocean Race fleet splits in two racing in very strong winds

11:17 PM Thu 21 May 2009 GMT

'Justin Slattery checks the sails, onboard Green Dragon, on leg 7 from Boston to Galway' Guo Chuan/Green Dragon Racing/Volvo Ocean Race &copy

Over the past nine hours, the Volvo Ocean Race fleet have split into two groups, and are now separated laterally by 75 nm.

The westernmost group comprises the former leg and current race leader, Ericsson 4, followed the the two yachts trailing the fleet - Ericsson 3 and Green Dragon.

The easternmost group comprises the current leg leader, Delta Lloyd, Telefonicas Black and Blue, and Puma Racing.

Latest position reports at 1200 (NZT) on 22 May showing the 75nm split between the two groups in the Volvo Ocean Race, along with projected course expected to be sailed to the finish in Galway Bay, Ireland. The red area indicates the advancing front, which is expected to be a big influence on the next two days’ racing. - Predictwind.com-iexpedition.org Click Here to view large photo

Conditions in the race area are still averaging over 30knots (gusting 20% more) from 290 degrees (westerly). On this direction and wind strength the yachts should be fast reaching in the new front.

Projections from Expeditionand PredictWindindicate that there will be little change in the earlier prognosis - that the yachts will regroup further up the course, and will be very close together on the final stages to Galway Bay in Ireland.

Latest position reports at 1200 (NZT) on 22 May showing the 75nm split between the two groups in the Volvo Ocean Race. Wind strength is around 30kts average - hence the red background - Predictwind.com-iexpedition.org Click Here to view large photo

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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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