Raymarine give competitors head start in JPMorgan Round the Island Race

Raymarine RTIR 2014 Weather Briefing and FREE email updates © Raymarine

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race Weather Briefing for competitors, thanks to Raymarine

Leading marine electronics manufacturer, Raymarine invites competitors taking part in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race to the Island Sailing Club, Cowes, at 1800 on Friday 20th June to hear the latest weather and tidal information prior to the race. This up to the minute information will be available live and free to all attendees, thanks to Raymarine's Weather Briefing.

The Raymarine Weather Briefing will also be streamed live over the internet. Competitors and other interested parties will be able to view the Weather Briefing live via smartphone, tablet or PC by logging onto Raymarine.co.uk/view/?id=8947, the official Race website, or by watching Wight TV's Channel 220, and On Event TV shown in public areas across the Island including the big screen in Cowes Yacht Haven, and other favourite pre-race gathering points for competitors.

As any boater will know, the developments in weather patterns prior to a big race can have a huge impact on tactics when the big day arrives. The Raymarine Weather Briefing gives a detailed breakdown of the weather conditions, tide and sea state, as well as hints and tips on the best tactics for the race.

The Raymarine Weather Briefing will be presented by top meteorologist and cruising and offshore racing navigator, Chris Tibbs. Chris has over 18 years of meteorological experience and over 250,000 sea miles, with six world speed records under his belt.

Commenting on the predicted weather forecast for the race, Chris says, "High pressure is expected to stay situated to the west of Ireland throughout this week and over the weekend of the 21st/22nd. During the week there will be an area of low pressure over Scandinavia which will create some weak weather fronts that will move down the North Sea and affect eastern England and the tails of these fronts will cross the Isle of Wight. These will bring some cloud bands and occasional showers as they pass through.

For Saturday, the predominant wind will be North Easterly although this will vary as the weak fronts pass. There will also be changes to the wind as the land heats and a sea breeze tries to develop. Estimated wind strength 5-10 kts (knots); gusts are likely to be 1/3rd as much again as the average wind strength and stronger with showers."

To sign up to the Raymarine website to receive free email weather updates prior to the race, visit www.raymarine.co.uk/view/?id=8947

Weather Outlook for the week of the RTI Race 21 June 2014:

Monday 16 June

• N-NE 8-13 this morning tending to lighter and more variable this afternoon then NE 8-13 overnight.
• Mainly sunny at first with cloud developing through the day clearing this evening. Max temperature 18-20°C

• N-NE 8-13 tending to ease and be more variable through the afternoon.
• Mainly sunny with a maximum temperature of 20-22°C.

• N-NE 8-13 dropping light and variable as the remains of an occluded front cross the area. There is the risk of showers. Sunny spells with clouds. Maximum temperature 19-21°C.

• Light and variable wind with some sunny spells and isolated showers. Max T 21°C

• Light N-NE with some good sunny spells. Max T 20°C

• Light NNE-ENE becoming light sea breeze in the afternoon.
• Sunny spells. Max T 20°C

• Light NE flow

More information on the Official J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race website, www.roundtheisland.org.uk

Met Office trained, Chris Tibbs runs a forecasting and Consultancy Company for racing and cruising yachts and will be taking a break from this to present the latest weather and tidal information to competitors at the ISC, combining his meteorological expertise with his extensive knowledge of cruising and racing. Chris has regularly worked with Raymarine on the Round the Island Race weather briefing – his first briefing for Raymarine being in 2003. Chris Tibbs – Sailing Weather Ltd.