The famous Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is now only a month away. It won’t be long before navigators and skippers start seeking data to optimize routing for the great race south and competitors who have the most accurate data on hand will be able to make the best possible decisions for the fastest route.
The weather can be challenging for all competitors in this 630mile race down the NSW coast, crossing the notorious Bass Strait, continuing south along the Tasmanian East Coast then around the corner across Storm Bay and up the final 10 miles of The Derwent.
It is not only the potential of ferocious winds for sailors, there is also the powerful East Australian Current (EAC) to be considered which can vary between 15km and 100km wide and flow at speeds up to 4knots. The EAC is like a meandering river generally flowing southwards along the course however eddies and interesting twists and turns necessitate careful analysis, making course optimization a challenge for even the most experienced navigators. At times the EAC can even flow in a northerly direction!
Fortunately, the Team at Tidetech can help identify the location, speed and direction of the EAC to complement your Sydney Hobart race strategy.
The Coast of New South Wales.
This coastal stretch from Sydney south can present some interesting back eddies in the current. Negotiating these most efficiently versus your closest competitors may be the difference between a podium or not. Who knows what the EAC will look like for this section of the Race? We will know, and you can too.