Weather
Getting the timing right to get favourable winds as weather fronts move through will make all the difference between sailing at speed with the wind or spending hours beating into headwinds and waves which will cause wear and tear on Pegasus and high levels on fatigue on Alan.
Weather Routing
To assist in weather planning and weather advice during the challenge Fiona Campbell a well respected marine meteorologist who works with the GB Olympic sailing team has agreed to support the project and will provide vital weather routing advice. Fiona will be in touch with Alan by email as during the challenge Fiona will be in Valencia working with the Olympic sailing team. Fiona's job will be to make accurate weather predictions which will hopefully allow for a fast passage and help towards the correct tactics in course and sail selection. Weather forecasting will determine when Alan sets off from the Solway Firth as favourable south westerlies will speed the trip out to St Kilda and on northwards to Shetland.
Forecasts
During the challenge live weather links will be available on this page.
Here are some links to weather forecasting websites
Tides
Alan will be challenged with the strong tides in the North Channel once he rounds the Mull of Galloway. Tides can run at up to 5 knots between N. Ireland and the Mull of Kintyre, so timing the arrival of Pegasus in this area will be critical to getting a good start. Much will depend on the weather forecasts as a favourable patterns of winds over and extended period will be more favourable in the longer term rather than allowing tidal influences to dictate departure times from Balcary Point.
Strong tides will also influence Alan's progress coming back down from Shetland but routing may take Pegasus further out into the North sea for favourable winds and lighter tidal flows.
For latest tidal information and tidal predictions around the UK coast follow this link to the Admirality Easy Tide web-site
