Landed in San Fransico Nov 4, on my way to Nevada for an essential test period. I will be using the November weather window to evaluate the performance on dirt before the best weather next March/April. However, it is not out of the question that we may get perfect weather during November! If this happens and we do get a record speed, then we are preparing to be able to move quickly and capitalise upon it.

It seems that over the last 8 years, the weather is getting more and more unpredictable and therefore we can’t afford to waste any opportunities if they arise.

I have spent many days over the past few weeks analysing weather records for about 12 possible locations in the US. What is very apparent is the weather event that the ‘Iron Duck’ had in 1999 (current record holder) really was pretty unusual, in the strength, steadiness and duration of the wind event. There has probably only been one or two occasions in the last 12 years when this has happened. This is not to say that strong wind events don’t occur, just they are of shorter duration and more random.

Therefore, I intend to spend as long as it takes on standby to wait for that opportunity. We can’t sail past the end of November, but once the playa’s dry in mid March, there is pretty much a constant window through to July (at a variety of venues). It may well be the case that I have to spend 4 or 5 months sitting in deserts or frozen lakes, but this is what it is going to take.