Tony Bullimore
Blue Ocean Wireless Solo Round the World Challenge

Dateline April 6 2007 – Hobart Tasmania:  
Bullimore now looking at new weather window predicted for April 15.

A change in the predicted weather patterns for this weekend has led to Tony Bullimore standing down from setting out on the Blue Ocean solo round the world challenge. Instead, the British circumnavigator and his team are looking to pick up a fresh weather pattern that could develop over the Tasman on April 15.

 

Lee Bruce, Team Bullimore’s weather guru  reports: “Three days ago, the forecast for 10/1200Z showed a persistent north wind south of New Zealand.  That area is now expected to see WNW to W wind, which is a poor direction for negotiating the islands off New Zealand (shoaling and the islands combine to make for a narrow corridor in which to gybe).  Heading south in that west wind--to try to leave the islands to port--would only take Tony to higher wind and wave range (40-50kt, with 6-7m waves)., so it looks like we have lost the favorable start pattern.

 In the long-range outlook, there is another favorable pattern showing up on the 15th, so there is some hope for improvement.”

 So Tony remains on ‘Orange Alert’ ready to hoist sail on his 102ft catamaran Doha, at the first opportunity.