Wind forecast for Sunferries Magnetic Island Race

'Day One Weather - Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week' Bureau of Meteorology

Big Smiles from an overflowing roomful of skippers, tacticians and crew at Peppers Blue on Blue at the weather briefing for the 2008 Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week fleet last night.

You can look forward to 'one of the best sea breezes of the year' announced Townsville Met Office meteorologist Greg Connor, talking about the first day's weather.

While the currently southerly will hold into late morning, after a brief transition, the wind will flick to the east north east and build to 15 knots with gusts into the 20's.

Race Director Denis Thompson is pleased with the forecast for the next four days racing. 'The forecast wind strengths will provide great racing. Today we will have to wait for the wind to swing. Just as it was last year, the start line for all the passage races this week will be just off the Nelly Bay Marina, so there is no problem holding the fleet ashore until the breeze settles.

'However for the balance of the series, the forecast is for easterlies from 10am, swinging north easterly and building to 15-20 knots and that is not too hard to take! '