CLOUD

The 2008 Olympic Sailing Regatta concluded in Qingdao, China with strong performances from Team USA despite challenging conditions. Twenty-five-year-old Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.) led the team on the water with a gold medal in the Laser Radial class, the first gold medal for a U.S. female sailor in 20 years and twenty-four-year-old Zach Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) produced a strong performance in the Finn Class, earning a silver medal for the U.S. Sailing Team. Photo credit: Skip Whyte/US SAILING Because of the complex currents and light winds at the venue, the U.S. Sailing Team meteorologist (Sailing Weather Service LLC), contracted Applied Science Associates, Inc. (ASA) of Narragansett, Rhode Island to use their latest computer modeling tools to provide tidal current predictions for the Olympic races. The accurate prediction of tidal currents gave racers an advantage in sailing the challenging conditions of the Qingdao region. ASA provided tidal/current modeling software that enabled team meteorologists and sailors to view, print, and analyze the ocean conditions of the race courses. Sailing Weather Service meteorologists utilize several different data sources and models for information in planning strategies based on wind forecasts and tidal predictions. ASA’s models provided numerical output and 10 minute interval data which are crucial during tide changes; this was an advantage over teams that did not have this high resolution data. ASA’s software also includes a user-friendly interface with integrated GIS and visualization capabilities that the athletes and coaches themselves could use for training and strategizing prior to each race. “Each US Sailing coach has been provided with a detailed “current book” for their specific course area. These books detail expected current variations at 10-minute intervals for each day. I have worked closely with the coaches and sailors to develop simple graphical depictions that help explain the complex currents of Qingdao using the ASA modeling,” said Jennifer Lilly, lead meteorologist (from Sailing Weather Service) for Team USA. The regatta at Qingdao was challenging and the coaches were impressed with the team’s ability to handle and sail in challenging conditions. High Performance Director and Head Coach for the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program, Gary Bodie said, “This is a tough place to sail and it was a tough regatta. We had light wind, plenty of current and ocean lump. It’s not an easy place to excel.” The team, its management, Sailing Weather Services, and Applied Science Associates are already working together again on planning for a strong performance in 2012.