Modeling weather to win America’s Cup

If only we had a crystal ball. Are my sails and rig set up for the first upwind leg? Which side of the course will be favored? Guessing right is what winners do, but what if you can eliminate the guesswork? While Mother Nature takes heed to no one, America’s Cup teams are not in the business of guessing, and the Defender wants someone with answers. Here’s their pitch:

Emirates Team New Zealand is looking for a meteorologist to formulate weather forecasting strategies, develop wind models for our sailing simulator, and direct our weather-based strategy in design.

As with many sports, our sailors want to train how they race to be as prepared as possible to defend the America’s Cup in 2027. This includes the weather conditions in the simulator, such as the wind, waves and current. For example, compared to a generic wind field in the simulator, wind fields specific to Naples will provide opportunities to develop and test race strategies based on local wind features and variability.

Whether it’s race day, a normal training session or making decision decisions based on the most likely conditions, weather predictions are integral to our strategy as we prepare to defend our title in the America’s Cup. This role will suit a meteorologist – or engineer, physicist, or mathematician with an eye for the sky – who loves the challenge of understanding the weather in new locations and wants to work in a dynamic environment surrounded by skilled engineers and sports enthusiasts.

Responsibilities
• Source forecasts, evaluate which ones yield the best results and characterize typical weather situations
• Create dynamic models of wind, waves, and currents to enhance our simulator realism and update those as new insights emerge or models are refined
• Communicate with sailors and coaches around the simulator models, what they represent and any limitations they have
• Develop race modelling and race decision making strategies in relation to the wind, waves and current
• Provide race-day forecasting and insight into available weather models

Requirements
• Ideally either a postgraduate degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science, but we will also consider engineers, physicists or mathematicians with strong weather or sailing knowledge
• Experience with languages such as C++, JavaScript and Python
• Excellent communication skills to relay project results
• Willingness to travel overseas for periods of up to 4 months
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, including weekends, as required
• The ability to start soon and the right to work in New Zealand is preferred, but we will also consider international candidates

Benefits
• You will be relocated to the beautiful city of Naples, Italy, for a few months in both 2026 and 2027
• Become a part of the only team to have won the America’s Cup three times in a row in modern times
• Share your work with team members who truly understand and value how crucial the weather forecast can be!
• Gain insight into other aspects of the team such as software, data analysis and design optimization

Details: https://www.americascup.com/

No entries have yet been submitted for the 38th America’s Cup as Defender New Zealand works with the Challenger of Record from Great Britain to organize the event. The two teams have agreed on some details with the venue moved to Naples, Italy after Barcelona, Spain declined hosting another edition. Racing will be in the spring and summer of 2027.