During this season the most likely scenario is the presence of an anticyclonic ridge extending as far as Portugal.

If the centre of the low pressure falls above the route, north-easterly winds will blow, forcing crews to sail upwind for the entire distance.

However, it is very likely that the centre will be along or below the route.

This would produce a northerly wind, allowing impressive speeds to be achieved in this part of the race. A much rarer phenomenon would be a low-pressure trough settling along the route. This would cause the wind to rotate several times depending on the exact position of its centre and its development.

>> More Challenge Mondial information from the BBC Weather Centre