flaming
Well-known member
The various models seem pretty aligned in terms of the basic breeze and direction right now. Gust strength is varying wildly though. 40 on a base of 22 feels somewhat out of kilter with the rest as it stands.
RTI this Saturday
- Thread starter flaming
- Start date
Boathook
Well-known member
When I was out a few weeks back, some of the gusts added 15 knots onto the average. Ideally I should have put in a second reef but then I wouldn't have anough sail area for the lulls.
Never Grumble
Well-known member
We're certainly going to go to Cowes on Friday monitor and probably start, see how the conditions are for the beat down to the Needles.
flaming
Well-known member
Not saying it can’t happen but right now UKV, the met office’s own model, is the only model pushing gusts into the 40s.
flaming
Well-known member
From the RTI website
We have an 0630 start, and in that breeze a 7 hour lap is expected, hopefully less. So roughly speaking expecting to be at the needles around 8, St Cats by 9:30, Bembridge by 11, then finish circa 1.
So might actually be back in the Solent before the biggest breeze comes through. Jib choice could be tricky, as the jib I'd want to get off a start line and hold a lane in a big fleet in 14-18, is not the jib I'd want to go out through the needles channel in 25+.
RACE DAY - Saturday 15th June
SW 14-18 gusting 25 kts for the start, veering WSW 22-27 gusting 34 kts at the Needles by 1000. By noon it should be strongest, WSW 25-30 gusting 36 kts past St Catherine's . It should ease a little by mid-afternoon, WSW 22-26 gusting 34 kts. By dusk the Solent should have WSW 15-20 gusting 25 kts. Expect a mixture of squall clusters & sunny patches through the day. Some of the squalls will be heavy, but thankfully will pass through quickly. Temperatures should be 14- 16°C on land, with wind chill & spray on the water this will feel like around 10°C, and the sea surface temperature should be 15-16°C. It is summer, after all.We have an 0630 start, and in that breeze a 7 hour lap is expected, hopefully less. So roughly speaking expecting to be at the needles around 8, St Cats by 9:30, Bembridge by 11, then finish circa 1.
So might actually be back in the Solent before the biggest breeze comes through. Jib choice could be tricky, as the jib I'd want to get off a start line and hold a lane in a big fleet in 14-18, is not the jib I'd want to go out through the needles channel in 25+.
Never Grumble
Well-known member
At Bramble Bank the UK met office were forecasting 26 knot gusts this morning but so far according to Brmablenet they haven't exceeded 19. I'm in a 33 ft cruising yacht so we wont be round in 7 hours and I reckon we would be approaching St Caths when the strongest gusts are due. still to make a decision as to whether we sail or not.
capnsensible
Well-known member
What's the tide doing for the beat to the Needles? Could be a bit sporty if it's ebbing against the breeze!
Never Grumble
Well-known member
West going tide starts at about 0600
flaming
Well-known member
Ebbing. Should be fun....
capnsensible
Well-known member
Enjoy yourselves!!
st599
Well-known member
Starts always seem to be timed so the cruisers arrive at the Needles with maximum wind against tide.
Last time it was this windy, half the RNLI were sat at the Needles, never seen so many upside catamarans in my life.
flaming
Well-known member
Whilst the thought of a full "send" down the back of the island is somewhat exciting, I'm very much looking forward to rounding Bembridge Ledge. Ideally in one piece.
Wandering Star
Well-known member
All sounds very exciting - never raced in my life but love watching and reading about the RTI. Hope everyone has a great day and there aren’t too many casualties!
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
Some multihullers seem not to have heard the maxim ‘to finish first, first you must finish’.
Never Grumble
Well-known member
I see the organisers have sent out a message about the string winds cancellations etc.
I'm close to giving it a miss.
I'm close to giving it a miss.
flaming
Well-known member
With the forecast as it is I suspect significant numbers will give it a miss.
We've been out in some pretty strong winds already this season and acquitted ourselves pretty well, which coupled with the fact that (unusually for RTI) I have a very experienced crew on board is giving me the confidence to think that the forecast is not outside of our capabilities. Outside of the comfort zone maybe, but not outside of what the boat and crew ought to be able to cope with.
The nice sails are staying at home though....
Mark-1
Well-known member
"We will only cancel fleets where there is a significant chance that the majority of the fleet could get into difficulties and risk injury to the crew"
Round the Island Race - Latest news
That's a weird test to apply. I'm all for not cancelling ever and letting individuals decide for themselves but if you're going to make decisions on behalf of competitors I'd have thought you'd want to cancel a fleet well before you reckon the "majority" will be in significant risk of difficulty and risking injury. 49% would already be too many.
Round the Island Race - Latest news
That's a weird test to apply. I'm all for not cancelling ever and letting individuals decide for themselves but if you're going to make decisions on behalf of competitors I'd have thought you'd want to cancel a fleet well before you reckon the "majority" will be in significant risk of difficulty and risking injury. 49% would already be too many.
flaming
Well-known member
I think that's badly worded.
If I was in a sportsboat or J70 etc I'd be making other plans for Saturday given that statement.
st599
Well-known member
I don't think you can have a policy of not cancelling ever, even though the Racing Rules of Sailing say it's up to competitors to decide, under UK law there's still a requirement on the organisers.
blush2
Active member
Down SW the Eddystone pursuit race on Saturday has been cancelled because of concern over wind against tide effects.
Other threads that may be of interest
