The latest news from team Blue Ocean Wireless Round the World Challenge in Hobat reports that 68-year-old Tony Bullimore could be setting off on his singlehanded global record attempt this weekend aboard his 102ft catamaran.

According to Lee Bruce – Bullimore’s weather guru – the predicted weather patterns for the area are the best his seen since monitoring began back in December so he’s put Bullimore on Orange Alert.

Commenting on the current situation Bruce said: “Assuming a launch at 08:00Z (10:00 Sunday Hobart time), the wind stays good at least to the 12th of April, based on an average of 400nm/day (17kt). And if Doha made 500nm/day (21kt), it would take you to the 12th before you would outrun the good wind. The wind direction stays near north the whole time, and the speed ranges from 15-25kt. The start wind in Hobart is light, but it fills in quickly. So we could delay the start until later in the day, which would allow everyone to attend church!”

This map shows the pattern for 09/00Z – about 24-hours into the attempt. Tony would be on a broad reach in 20-25kt, which would send him through the slot between Stewart Island and the Auckland Islands. The circle marks a 400nm first day, and the X marks a 500nm first day – based on crossing the line at 08/00Z. A 08/06Z start would work as well.