Strong headwinds hit Noumea race fleet off Cape Reinga

11:02 PM Sat 27 Jun 2009 GMT

'Alan Briety's Limit seen here at Skandia race Week, is currently leading the Auckland to Noumea race' Teri Dodds &copy

The Australian yacht Limit (Alan Brierty) is leading the Auckland Noumea fleet into strong headwinds off Cape Reinga at the top of New Zealand.

Winds in the area have peaked at 37kts and are easing slightly, but an advancing area of low pressure will be centred off the western side of the Cape around 0100hrs tomorrow morning 30 June. This low cause the winds to shift more to the west, allowing the fleet to ease sheets and sail directly to Noumea.

The second placed yacht V5 (Simon Hull) is taking a more westerly course to get some shelter from Cape Reinga before heading out into the Tasman Sea.

Fleet Positions as at 0900hrs on 28 June

Race fleet positions at 0900hrs on 28 June 2009 in the Auckland Noumea Race. Limit (AUS0 is leading with V5 taking a turn to the west. - Click Here to view large photo

PredictWind's prognosis for the Cape Reinga and offshore area as at 1000hrs on 28 June 2009

PredictWind's prognosis for Cape Reinga at 1000hrs on 28 June 2009 showing a strong co-relation with the actual readings at the same point -

Actual wind readings at Cape Reinga at 1000hrs on 28 June 2009 showing average and peak recorded winds and the trend by wind.co.nz

Actual wind readings and the trend at Cape Reinga at 1000hrs on 28 June 2009, showing quite a modest average wind strength but with gusts of 37kts - Click Here to view large photo

PredictWind's prognosis for the Tasman Sea area shown in Expedition routing application as at 1800hrs on 29 June 2009

Wind feed from PredictWind using in the routing application shows the strong winds and direction expected in the wider Tasman Sea area at 18800hrs tonight - 28 June at 1800hrs - Click Here to view large photo

Predict Wind's prognosis for the Cape Reinga area at 0100hrs on 29 June showing the tight low pressure area (centre of winds) just to the west of Cape Reinga

PredictWind showing the low pressure system with its tight centre just to the west of the tip of Cape Reinga at 0100hrs on 30 June 2009 -

The wind data and prognosis used to produce these images uses software developed by PredictWind, an application developed by Jon Bilger a top NZ youth and Olympic sailor who turned his hand to wind and weather prediction, and helped Alinghi to their outstanding victories in the last two America's Cups.

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