To compete in the Volvo Ocean Race means dealing with the uncertain. Since the weather is one of the most challenging factors of the race, it would be fair to say that meteorologist Chris Bedford has one of toughest jobs on the crew: to predict the unpredictable. From the training schedule to the details of the boat design, Bedford’s forecasts significantly influence the team’s decision-making.

A veteran of seven America's Cup,three Volvo Ocean Race/Whitbread,and four US Olympic campaigns, Bedford looked back to 1990 to predict what the weather might be like during the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race. A completely new route makes his job even harder, but also more exciting.

“This is a course that no one has ever done before. It is way more difficult than past ones, since the fleet will cross the equator at least four times, going through autumn, summer, winter, back to summer and so on. There is a lot of variability, but that just makes everything more challenging,” Bedford says.

Chris joined Ericsson Racing Team early in the campaign, and his contributions started during the boat design. He has helped create tools that the two Ericsson crews will use during the race, and he continues to study weather patterns to eliminate every possible surprise factor.

“What I can do is to look at statistics from the past years and try to establish, in the beginning of each leg, which would be the best way to go,” he says. “But I always suppose that the guys on board know what they are doing, and even though sometimes I don’t understand why they are making that specific decision, I know that they are choosing the best possible way. That is why this race is so exciting; the uncertainty will always be there, you just have to find the best solution according to the conditions you are dealing with at that moment.”

During the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/09, Chris will write about the weather and its unpredictable aspects on the Ericsson Racing Team website (to view his blog click on the icon to the right). His blog will also likely include his impressions on the biggest challenges facing the crews.

“If I had to make a bet, I would say the most difficult parts of the race will be crossing the doldrums in the Indian Ocean, the leg from Singapore to Qingdao and obviously the trip from China to Rio. It is the cyclone season in South Pacific, and it can be a big risk,” Chris says.

A sailor himself back in high school, Chris chose to study atmosphere and oceanic science and thought about becoming an air traffic controller. Even though he changed tracks from the sky to the seas, the passion for aviation is still a part of his life: A licensed pilot, Bedford flies every time he has a break from work.