| 7/25/01 Daily Routing Analysis of EDS Atlantic Challenge | ||||||
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| We apply our "Force 4" routing software to evaluate possible routes for the competitors in the EDS Atlantic Challenge. The software utilizes boat polars and a 10-day MRF wind forecast to predict boat speeds at various times and locations, and then searches for the fastest possible route. This is always shown in red, and alternative routes in other colors (corresponding times and distances are color-coded). The alternative courses do not represent "second best" or "third best" solutions, but are constrained initially to various sectors relative to the rhumbline (e.g., to far right). | ||||||
| Below is a RECALCULATED routing solution for Sill Plein Fruit, from its reported postion "11" at 1400 UTC on 7/23 to a point "8" approaching the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. Compared to our earlier calculation from the boat's position on 7/22, the favored route now takes it first west to the coast and then south. The favored "red" route is some 4 hour faster than the more southerly "green" route. | ||||||
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| Below the same solution is shown, showing actual path of boat (points "S3" through "S7") and winds (as per 7/23 forecast) 48 hours later, at 1400 UTC on 7/25. The track closely approximates the favored "red" route, but actual position lags behind the predicted location at the black dot (part of this may be due to our use of approximate polar files, which overestimate upwind speed). At this position Sill Plein is facing strong headwinds, at about 30 knots sustained. Note: nm values in far right column of "Best Course Comparisons" box give distance to destination point. | ||||||
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| Below is the RECALCULATED routing solution for Gartmore, from its reported postion "12" at 1400 UTC on 7/23. The routing solutions are comparable, except for the most southerly (green course), which is much slower. Gartmore's best route puts it about 31 hours behind Sill Plein Fruit. |
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| Below the same solution is shown 48 hours later, at 1400 UTC on 7/25, compared to actual track of Gartmore (points "G3" to "G7") and predicted wind at that time (based on 7/23 forecast). Gartmore appears to be following the red "optimal" route but has made considerably less progress than predicted by the router. At this point Gartmore also is in headwinds, but of only about 15 knots, considerably less than Sill Plein Fruit. |
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