10 Mar 2021

Fine forecasting: super-technology speeding up America's Cup

From Nine To Noon, 9:35 am on 10 March 2021
America's Cup teams Luna Rossa and Team New Zealand.

Photo: Emirates Team New Zealand

Next-level weather forecasting is helping Emirates Team New Zealand steer a faster course, and helping the environment. 

While much of the technology interest of the America's Cup has focused on the yachts' foils, Dr Mike Williams is leading NIWA's work with Emirates Team New Zealand, providing them with sophisticated weather information which allows the crew to understand changes in wind and currents every twenty seconds during the race. 

Dr Williams tells Kathryn Ryan fine weather forecasting can also help other marine sectors which rely on detailed weather forecasting, which in turn could help combat climate change.