MaxSea deliver training on TIMEZERO v4 navigation software

The Clipper Race fleet will be equipped with the latest version of TIMEZERO by MaxSea navigation software for the 2019-20 edition. The Official Navigational Software Supplier to the Clipper Race, MaxSea, delivered a bespoke day of expert training on the TIMEZERO Professional v4 software. Clipper Race Skippers and AQPs were trained on the latest updates to the routing software and its user interface. The training forms part of the Race Skippers and AQPs preparation programme alongside support from other Race Partners including Grahame Robb Associates, Spinlock, Marlow Ropes in the lead up to Race Start.

Delivered by Antoine Germain from the Technical Support Team at MaxSea, the sessions covered the functionalities of the software and the new v4 interface. The day aimed to develop existing skills in order for the teams to optimise the weather routing and forecasting capabilities of the software.

On the updates from v3 to v4 Antoine said: “From version 3 to version 4 we have various new functionalities, mostly focused on the routing and also on the weather forecasts. So now we have a totally different interface concerning the weather forecasts, an animation with particles and also the meteogram that you can actually get some weather conditions all along a route for example or on a specific area.”

Safety and performance remain the keystone for theTIMEZERO Professional navigation software. When used for racing the Weather Routing module and Position Report are the two key elements designed specifically for this use.

During the race, alongside paper charts, navigational and technical publications, the fleet will be issued with GRIB files daily during the race. How the Skippers and AQPs utilise this weather data in their route planning will have a significant impact on their race tactics.

The Weather Routing module works as an addition to the Safety Route Planning feature by getting teams from point A to point B in the quickest time possible using an algorithm. The algorithm combines the forecast wind, currents and waves with the boat polars to identify the fastest route. V4 can also automatically analyse a Position Report file that can be sent manually, or be synchronized between multiple vessels enabling the teams to track the rest of the fleet to see who has managed to make the best tactical decisions.

Deputy Race Director, Dale Smyth, on what this means for the Skippers and AQPs said: “When there is a new version of software you want to get hands on with the new features. It is going to be hugely useful to both Skippers and AQPs to have this high level of training. They will now be able to maximise the software, both be able to run the boat effectively for safe navigation and tactically for race performance.”