Weather Routing For Long Distance Racing

Weather Routing For Long Distance Racing

Doing well in a long distance race such as the Bayview Mack, Chicago Mac, or TransSuperior demands teamwork, endurance, and a routing strategy based on an accurate weather forecast.  Developing a competitive routing strategy requires an understanding of basic weather forecasting principles, a familiarity with weather resources, and a working knowledge of modern routing software. This two-part 4-hour webinar is designed for sailors who are new to long-distance racing or experienced competitors who would like to refresh their skills before the season begins.

This four-hour educational program covers the following topics:

• How to interpret weather forecasting graphics.
• The basics of wind forecasting.
• Forecasting the development and movement of low pressure systems and their impact on the wind.
• The basics of weather forecast models.
• Sources of Gribs (small data file that contain weather forecast information).
• A strategy for judging the accuracy of Grib forecast data.
• Preparing a marine forecast using resources from the National Weather Service and Grib files (using Squid and Expedition).
• Weather routing using Grib data and your boat’s sailing characteristics (using Squid and Expedition).

The four-hour clinic combines classroom instruction, case studies, and exercises to create an engaging learning experience.

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About The Presenter

Mark Thornton has been boating on the Great Lakes for more than 30 years. Mark recently transitioned from sailing and now owns Osprey, a Mainship 34 Pilot. He is a 2006 graduate of the Penn State University Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting, a two-year program that develops skills in general, tropical, and severe weather forecasting.

He is the president of LakeErieWX LLC, a company dedicated to providing marine weather education and forecasting resources for recreational boaters (www.lakeeriewx.com). Mark publishes a marine weather blog and teaches basic forecasting seminars to recreational boaters during the off-season. He has served as the Race Meteorologist for the Bayview Race to Mackinac since 2014. Mark is employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting Program at Penn State University.

Click here to read about my marine weather forecasting seminars, webinars and presentations. Click here for the current schedule of educational programs.

Email: Mark@LakeErieWX.com
Phone: 440.250.9179