Offshore powerboats are scheduled to launch into action off Poverty Bay at 1045, with a second heat set for midday. The big question for teams and spectators alike is simple, what sort of day will Gisborne deliver?
PredictWind’s early morning update shows very light winds offshore at first light. By late morning, breeze strength is expected to settle around 5 to 6 knots, potentially lifting into the mid teens during the afternoon. Direction will not stay fixed. Early northerlies are likely to rotate easterly or even southerly through race time, which could subtly reshape the course and how boats set up for each leg.
Sea state is forecast at around half a metre from the east on a short six second interval. That does not sound dramatic if you’re still, but at offshore race speeds a tight chop can deliver a hard, repetitive landing. Drivers and crew will feel it.
Rain is the real storyline. MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Gisborne from 0900, with periods of heavy falls possible. PredictWind suggests steady rain through much of the day, increasing at times. If heavier bursts arrive during racing, visibility could quickly become the defining factor.
The expected fleet was nearly at full numbers, so the course could be packed. At full throttle, drivers rely on clear sightlines through spray, traffic, and turning marks. Add driving rain and shifting wind angles, and the workload climbs.
At this stage, there is little to suggest wind strength or wave height will stop racing. The boats can handle the numbers forecast. Whether both heats run smoothly may come down to how hard the rain sets in and how well crews adapt to changing light and surface texture on the water.
