Qualifier - currents and winds

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Dirk Visser 166
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Re: Qualifier - currents and winds

Post by Dirk Visser 166 »

As race day approaches some heavy hitters are weighing in with informed perspectives on weather observations, patterns, and forecasts for the race territory.

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread. ... laska-2015!

The self-reliance, microlocal conditions, and regional knowledge learning curve point of view is emerging beautifully..which is inspiring to watch take shape as an amalgam of years of practical expererience discussing a dynamic, basically unsolvable challenge.
There are also some impressive sensor and tech links in recent posts on the thread.

As a developing thought relating to Leg 1, and the lack of safe havens, for future editions of the race it might be worth considering a US waters check in point, before the Haro Strait crossing.. This would provide a lot more complexity and safety to the Qualifier..
Dirk Visser 166
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Posts: 159
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2015 11:47 am
Location: Fremont, Ca.
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Re: Qualifier - currents and winds

Post by Dirk Visser 166 »

Now with 42 hours remaining before the first boats are scheduled to leave Point Hudson on the first of a long ebb tide, the larger weather picture finally has some real relevance.
What say the experts and pundits? Has anyone looked out a window up there?
But really my inquiry was more about the offshore and continental
pressure ridges and troughs, how the gradients are configuring, any anomalies likely to throw something at the fleet on Thursday?
Or will it all be blown down, foggy and calm?
Dirk Visser 166
Regular Contributor
Posts: 159
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2015 11:47 am
Location: Fremont, Ca.
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Re: Qualifier - currents and winds

Post by Dirk Visser 166 »

Now with only a matter of a few weeks until the upcoming 2016 R2AK starting line and Juan de Fuca strait crossing, it might be instructive to review this year's weather history and prospects.

New skippers and crew might gain confidence with some kind of read on the expectations for this season's race character.

My personal hunch is that it will be a whole different set of conditions compared to last year's exhibition, particularly south of Johnstone.

That post-solstice starting date could be a VERY significant factor !
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