Please select your home edition
Edition
Feb-Nov23 Leaderboard Revolve2

Expected Weather for Leg Two

by Chris Tibbs, Meteorologist, Quokka Sports on 15 Oct 2000
Chris Tibbs previews what awaits the BT Challenge fleet on Leg Two.


Leg Two takes the fleet 6,000 miles from northern autumn to southern spring. On the way, the fleet will pass through interesting and varied weather conditions making this a very tactical leg.

Leaving Boston the yachts head around Cape Cod and across the Gulf Stream. Changeable winds are likely as depressions develop near Cape Hatteras fuelled by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream before moving off to the northeast. Heading south the fleet then moves into the Horse latitudes, an area of light winds and fine weather named after the practice of killing the horses on old sailing ships as they ran out of drinking water.
October is still hurricane season and there is the possibility of a late one affecting the fleet. The proximity of the U.S. ensures helpful forecasts and hurricanes are generally slow moving (although windspeed within the storm can be very high) and avoiding action can be taken.

If this is not enough to keep the crews occupied the course then takes them through the infamous Bermuda Triangle; an area associated with unexplained disturbances. Theories abound -- from aliens to underwater mud slides releasing gas, which affects the buoyancy of the vessel. Tropical squalls and the fast moving Gulf Stream probably account for many of the disappearances but it is unknown.

Once into the trade winds, fast and pleasant sailing is expected until reaching the doldrums. More often called the Intertropical Convergence Zone they occupy a narrow band to the north of the equator with light variable winds. Moving north and south the calms are interspersed with large squalls giving strong winds and torrential rain. Each crossing of the doldrums is different; sometimes the wind hardly stops while other days it is calm and rain can be experienced. In a steel boat it becomes very hot and airless below deck -- making sleeping and cooking difficult.

Crossing the equator has always been an excuse for a bit of fun -- with the crossing the line ceremony. King Neptune comes onboard and anyone who has not crossed before goes through an initiation ceremony. This usually takes the form of being punished for crimes against ones' shipmates. Some horrible concoction is then smothered over the person, the amount depending on how vigorously the charges are denied. Once cleaned up the crew becomes a son or daughter of Neptune and can help to initiate the less fortunate.

Through the doldrums and across the equator the trade winds of the Southern Hemisphere take charge. Weather maps are reversed as the wind goes around in the opposite direction, which confuses even the most experienced. Down the South American coast towards Buenos Aires, the trades give way to more variable colder conditions. There could still be a sting in the tail on the approaches to Rio de la Plata in the form of the Pampero. The Pampero can arrive with a severe initial gust of 70 knots (force 12) before moderating. Luckily the main season for the Pampero is over but a weather eye will be kept until safely in harbour.

Related Articles

4 Ultim rocketships to contest Rolex Fastnet Race
The giant 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans are taking part in the 100th anniversary edition While the 50ft flying catamarans competing at SailGP Portsmouth this weekend will be impressive, charging out of the opposite western end of the Solent will be giant 32m long by 23m wide flying Ultim trimarans taking part in the 100th anniversary edition.
Posted on 18 Jul
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted on 18 Jul
Next RYA Connected Webinar: Keeping Sailing Safe
Creating Policies and Getting Criminal Records Checks Right Join us on Monday the 28th July at 7pm for our next Connected Webinar - Keeping Sailing Safe: Creating Policies and Getting Criminal Records Checks Right.
Posted on 18 Jul
Elite Training at New Sailing Centre
Canash Beach, St Vincent, hosts international sailors The SVG Sailing Association held a successful High Performance Race Training Clinic, at the newly established High Performance Centre at Canash Beach, St Vincent. The four-day event ran from July 13th to 16th.
Posted on 18 Jul
McIntyre Mini Globe Race Leg 3 Preview
The race to South Africa starts from Vuda Marina Fiji on 26th July In a world-first sailing challenge, 15 solo sailors from eight countries are navigating identical 5.8-meter (19-foot) self-built plywood yachts around the globe— The fleet has enjoyed a five week stopover in Fiji at the end of Leg 2.
Posted on 18 Jul
Third time Finn World No.1 for Alessandro Marega
Maintaining the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List Italy's Alessandro Marega maintains the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List for the third consecutive release. He remains World No. 1 with an 80-point lead over France's Laurent Hay.
Posted on 18 Jul
Comets at Shustoke
Sunscreen was applied liberally and hydration levels were questioned Shustoke Sailing Club hosted its Comet Open on Sunday 13th July under blazing skies and soaring temperatures as the summer heatwave showed no signs of abating. Sunscreen was applied liberally and hydration levels were questioned.
Posted on 18 Jul
OK Nationals at Dabchicks overall
Oli Davenport wins on West Mersea island Thirty OKs gathered at Dabchicks SC on West Mersea island from 12th-15th July for the 2025 OK Dinghy National Championships. With the European Championships having been held just a week or so earlier some notable sailors were absent.
Posted on 18 Jul
Mengeham Rythe Sailing Club celebrates 75 years
On a sun-drenched weekend in late June, Mengeham Creek came alive with celebration On a sun-drenched weekend in late June, Mengeham Creek came alive with celebration.
Posted on 18 Jul
The International Moths are back in Torquay
For their UK Nationals in September The Royal Torbay Yacht Club is pleased to announce that the prestigious International Moth National Championship will be held in Torquay from September 3rd - 7th 2025.
Posted on 18 Jul