Dylan Collingbourne
25 Apr 2026
"The final 2025/26 GP at Draycote in light shifty conditions, a lot of head out of boat needed looking for the pressure"
Key Weather Details
Wind:
SAT - 2 knots gusting 7 from SW-W
SUN - 5 knots gusting 10 from NW
Water State: Flat water over the weekend due to the lack of wind so preferrable for the Saturday, it will be head out of boat looking for the pressure and the gusts with the average wind speed so light.
For the Sunday, the wind has stronger gusts from the NW but a number of wind models are unsure with the overall direction so keep a closer update as the models update in the next day or so.
Temperatures will see highs of 19 on both days with more sunshine expected for the Saturday and some clouds forming on the Sunday. The mornings and the evenings are still chilly going down to 5 degrees so the heat will feel hotter than it is, especially on the Saturday with lack of wind. Make sure you keep HYDRATED!
Other Notes: First warning signal is no earlier than 10:30 on the Saturday. During this time, it is when it is expected to be the lightest wind so be prepared for when the wind fills in later in the early afternoon.
For a detailed understanding of what each wind model means - have a look here. Arome and UKMO are typically the most reliable but has a short time frame therefore keep on checking through the weekend. We are expecting light winds over the weekend and unpredictable direction due to the high pressure system over the UK. Below if the high pressure system snapshot at midday on Saturday 25th April:
Day Breakdown
Saturday:
Morning | Early afternoon | Late afternoon |
2 knots gusting 5 SW (230 degrees) (average direction as unpredticable) 13 degrees Flat water Sunshine | 3 knots gusting 6 SW (230 degrees) (average direction as unpredticable) 17 degrees Flat water Sunshine | 2 knots gusting 8 W (270 degrees) (average direction as unpredticable) 18 degrees Flat water but looking for those larger gusts Sunshine |
Sunday:
Morning | Early afternoon | Late afternoon |
7 knots gusting 12 SE (120 degrees) 11 degrees Flat water Sunshine | 4 knots gusting 12 SE (140 degrees) 16 degrees Flat water and head out of boat for those larger gusts Cloudy intervals | 5 knots gusting 9 SSE (170 degrees) 18 degrees Flat water Cloudy intervals |
Tactical Considerations
Monitor live wind data here so you are prepared with your boat set up before you head out onto the water and go into the racing with a game plan!
Due the difference in the average wind speed and the gusts over the weekend, as previously mentioned it is going to be a lot of head out of the boat, analysing the course and beyond to see what is coming from further away. Try and focus in zone 4 of the focus zones highlighted here.
When working on the downwinds in these light conditions, remember to "keep the kite driving"! It should become a driving force in the boat pulling us downwind, if the crew doesn't feel any pressure at all in the sheet, begin to sail a little higher to gain flow.
Sunday is looking to be a little more stable in direction an breeze with the breeze eventually easing in the later afternoon and slowly clocking right though the day, as the wind is an easterly with south in it, use the wind turbines in the distance as a good indicator for what the wind will be doing.
Make sure you have a read over the two Sailing instruction documents: