Macquarie Speed Sailing Team
Since commencing our World Record attempt in October 2008, we have been fortunate enough to have access to the PredictWind website and the PredictWind Professional services associated with this site. For three months while on World Record standby, we have been analysing the PredictWind output and comparing it to other web based competitors producing forecasts for the Shallow Inlet region. While initially sceptical about PredictWind’s capacity to deliver on its promised accuracy, the facts are indisputable and lead us to confidently state that there is no better web based weather prediction service available for our location.
The design of our craft, Macquarie Innovation (MI), is directed towards maximum efficiency and high speed. It is capable of achieving speeds over 50 knots in winds of less than 20 knots. Even in 15 knots of wind it has averaged over 45 knots along the 500m course. But in 12 -14 knot winds, MI will struggle to exceed 6 knots and calling the team in to have them watch a speed sailing craft sail at 6 knots is not conducive to good morale ! As a result, weather prediction accuracy takes on a new significance when confronted with such extreme performance outcomes. It is vital to the performance of our team and craft that we know in advance the expected wind speed to within a few knots and the wind direction to within several degrees of what is actually experienced.
Having confidence in the weather forecast enables the team to function more efficiently, reducing the number of days spent waiting on the beach with no wind as well as eliminating the most dreaded of days when the wind arrives and no-one is on site to make use of it ! In the past, these detailed accuracy demands have been challenging for other web based forecasting services to provide. With the arrival of PredictWind, this is no longer the case. PredictWind services now play a vital role within our weather forecasting armoury and we never make an assessment on the weather, without consulting the numerous PredictWind resources. In a contest like ours where accuracy and precision are often the difference between success and failure, it is comforting to know that we share with companies like PredictWind, a common vision – to be the best in the world.