Dylan Collingbourne
15 Aug 2025
"Light wind day with an easterly breeze which will be shifting slowly to the right throughout the day. The tide is expected to change half way through R1. Consistency will be key in the challenging conditions."
Key Weather Details
Wind:
Sat: 2/4 knots gusting 5/8 from E
Water State: Flat water for the majority of the racing day with the wind dropping through the day.
Tide Times: HW will be 11:23 with a height of 3.51m (heading towards neaps). Therefore the tide will be going North for the first half for the first race and then it will be going South for the rest of the day peaking in strength about 14:00.
Sat: Highs of 24 degrees with sunshine all day long and medium pollen and high UV (NEED SUNCREAM).
Other Notes: The first race will be important to get a good start and then even more important for the later races as the wind drops off, keep an eye on the tide and make sure you start the right end for the bias with shifting lay lines.
For a detailed understanding of what each wind model means - have a look here. Arome is typically the most reliable.
Day Breakdown
Friday:
Morning | Early afternoon | Late afternoon |
8 knots gusting 11 NEE (50-60 degrees) 20 degrees Flat water with some chop nearer launching with HW Sunny | 3 knots gusting 5 E (90 degrees) 23 degrees Still flat and looking for wind lanes Sunny | 3 knots gusting 5 SE (110-120 degrees) 22 degrees Flat water Sunny |
Tactical Considerations
The first day of the nationals is looking very light winds so we should be sailing in FLOW mode where we desperately need flow over our sail to maximise speed (especially when the wind drops off). The tide will beging to have more of an influence in the racing by the second race so keep an eye on your watches for when the tide changes.
As it is a first day of a big nationals, we need to think consistently, especially with leverage (when you might need to gain leverage and when to come back to the fleet). This should be a thought for both upwind and downwind. We have two different types of leverage which are below.
It is expected for the wind to shift right through the day with a persistent shift.
Good luck everyone for Day 1 of the UK National Championships!