The 1851 Cup gets underway today between BMW ORACLE Racing and TEAMORIGIN. Racing on the Solent is scheduled to begin this afternoon after much Cowes Week fleet has cleared the waters off West Cowes.
Principal Race Officer Harold Bennett plans to set a course with an initial leg between 1.0 and 1.2 nautical miles. The hope is to have the windward mark off the Royal Yacht Squadron, in plain view of spectators. Bennett hopes the weather allows him to start at 3:30 local time.
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Herewith today’s weather forecast from BMW ORACLE Racing team meteorologist Chris Bedford (right).
FORECAST DISCUSSION: WNW this morning around 10 knots. Gradually backing through late morning and mid-day to become WSW/SW mid-day or early afternoon. Winds may ease slightly while backing, then a gradual build is forecast through the afternoon once established in the SW. Winds building to 15 knots by mid-afternoon and possibly 20 knots late afternoon/early evening.
WEATHER: Partly cloudy in the morning, clearing to mostly sunny conditions for a time in the late morning. Cumulus developing over Southampton shore, but staying mainly clear over the Solent. There will be a general increase in cloud cover at middle and high level through the latter half of the afternoon.
