I have been tracking the wind predictions according the various weather web sites. Clearly I am not using technology anywhere nearly as sophisticated as Larry and Ernie so take this with a large grain of salt.
The thing that does seem clear is that wind predictions have been dropping slightly in the last 48 hours. The last time I looked it was calling for 8-10kts at 10 am local time. According to this site, the winds are likely to be 7 kts at 10 am. These lighter conditions would seem to favor Alinghi 5 especially if its keeps trending the same way but…
…The truth is we won’t know till we know. There was a great technical article on SAIL magazine’s web site that Scuttlebutt published, suggesting that USA aka BMO can fly a hull in 8 kts and will out sail Alinghi 5 by 20 secs a mile in 8 kts.
If the wind keeps dropping, A5 may still be favored but anything above 7 kts and USA could win by huge margins. If SAIL is correct, it will be 1988 all over again.
It’s one more insane thing about this DOG Race. Both teams have spent 10s of millions of dollars to build the most technically sophisticated racing yachts ever but it could be decided by the difference of a few knots of breeze. Above 7 kts and USA should win big. Below 7 kts, could be victory to A5.
Thanks for the links: should be an interesting match – much better than the 1988 one sided affair.
BMW / Oracles solid wing does sound (and look) impressive but the truth is no one knows till we see them go head to head.
Key question though is how distracting the live feed will be tomorrow during work!
this is the only way to solve these kind problems so keep goig, and never give up.
Thanks for sharing the links. I am watching them now.