Meteorology

The Marseille Louis Vuitton Act is the beginning of the 32nd America’s Cup whose final regattas will be in Valencia in 2007. The Marseille Louis Vuitton Act is the first opportunity for crews and teams to measure their progress against each other. The scene for this first Act will be the “Rade Sud” in the bay of Marseille, where the race course will be set.

The race area is a beautiful natural space, between the Frioul Islands and the Corniche, only 20 minutes from the team bases and with fantastic visibility for spectators. The presence of islands and reliefs surrounding the race course area makes for a beautiful play-ground, both for the sailors and spectators.

The first races of Act 1 are scheduled for the 5th of September, which means the temperature expected in the race area is still mild and warm, around 20 degrees, with 9 hours of sun a day.

The usual wind conditions at this time of the year may be either moderate thermal breezes coming from the West-Southwest, building in the morning, and lasting throughout the day, or, infrequently at this time of year, strong to gale force Mistral winds from the North-Northwest. There should be no significant sea that would affect racing.

The race course area, defined by a circle of 2.8 nautical miles diameter is laid in the middle of the Rade Sud. The wind direction at the start will determine the axis of the race course. A South-West sea breeze will see the start line area under the Corniche, whereas a Mistral wind from the North will see the boats round the windward mark near the Chateau d’If.