Palma Venue Guide

Get the insider's guide to this stunning Spanish racing venue from top coach Jim Saltonstall

EASTERN END

This is very different to the western end, due to the shape of the bay and the height of the land mass.

Wind Direction - 000/030 At the eastern end of the bay with a northerly wind, we have land mass on the starboard side of the course as well as to windward. Less wind on the right due to the divergence area, and shifts off the land to windward. It generally pays to work the shifts left of middle.

Wind Direction - 030/130 When the wind is out of the eastern sector, it is very shifty on flat water, use the shifts more up the middle of the track for a conservative result. Remember that as wind leaves land to go onto water in the northern hemisphere, it shears to the right first, lifting starboard tack into the windward when approximately half a mile offshore and lifting port if the mark is close to the shore, ie within a quarter of a mile.

Wind Direction - 130/180 More pressure on the port side of the course and if the port lay line is close enough to the land, lifts on port tack. Play the port side of the course, but as the day gets older, watch for the wind veering with the sun until mid/late afternoon, then backing early evening if the gradient wind is a southerly.

Wind Direction - 180-270 Waves/confused sea state with the backwash off the land, wind more stable both in direction and strength.

Wind Direction 270-000 Flatter water in the windward mark area, more confused in the leeward mark and starting area. Gusty/blustery wind direction with shifts, there tends to be more wind middle left, look out for lifts up on the starboard lay line if it is close enough to the shore on starboard tack - that is - within half a mile of the shore.


SEA BREEZE
Normally comes in late morning as you would expect, with light onshore thermals to begin with, then from approx 160 degrees, in the bay, backs slightly as it fills - 150 degrees, then clocks round to the right with the sun as the day gets older, to approximately 240/260 degrees, can get up to approximately 15/18 kts.

TIDE/ CURRENT
The Moon, high or low pressure systems, or simply the wind blowing in a direction for a few days, can all affect the current direction in the bay. I have seen some big surges of current during storms in the winter months, so the current needs to be checked on a daily basis across the race area, a job for your coach!


ENJOY
Palma is a great place for either training, (especially during the winter), or for eventing. During the summer months take care against the sun, with white cotton clothing to keep you cool. Also, keep on top of your rehydration programme, take plenty of energy drinks, and plenty of carbohydrates to maintain energy levels. Enjoy it, as this venue is amongst the best on the planet.