Researchers from one of the UK’s foremost atmospheric research institute are helping Sir Ben Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR sailing team in their bid to win the America’s Cup sailing competition for Britain.
The researchers, from the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS), are helping the Land Rover BAR meteorologists to use a complex weather prediction system to its full potential. The flexible and efficient computer model will provide accurate weather forecasts over the Bermuda venue for the America’s Cup challenge in summer 2017.
Director of NCAS, Professor Stephen Mobbs says: ‘Our researchers are experts at using this particular model, which means they know exactly how to tweak it so it’s as accurate as possible. We hope this collaboration allows the race team to maximise their chances in this year’s America’s Cup’.
NCAS’s world-class expertise in weather forecasting will aid Land Rover BAR as they prepare the team to be pushed to their limits out on the water. Knowledge of a range of atmospheric variables is essential for the whole team out in Bermuda, and the tailored weather prediction system will give up-to-date and high resolution forecasts of wind direction, wind speed, storms and the state of the sea. They’ll know what to expect from the weather, and this information will be used to ensure they are fully prepared.
Land Rover BAR meteorologist Jessica Sweeney commented: “The expertise of NCAS has been key to our understanding the weather of Bermuda. Together we have conducted experiments on optimising a high-resolution atmospheric model for this small and isolated subtropical island. The results gives us an excellent picture of the race course, that help us with critical decisions such as the daggerboard choice and our tactical strategy.”
NCAS are pleased to announce their partnership with Land Rover BAR today, ahead of the Louis Vuitton Americas Cup Qualifiers that start on May 26th. Land Rover BAR will compete, with support from NCAS in head-to-head match races against their rivals in their bid to bring the America’s Cup home to Britain.