Two-time America’s Cup winning navigator Peter Isler and veteran marine meteorologist Chris Bedford are proud to announce the latest addition to the Marine Weather University (MWU) curriculum: Weather Models Masterclass.
Designed for boaters and racers, the new class will debut live on May 7, and will be fully integrated into the online university curriculum for 24/7 access thereafter.
The landscape of marine weather forecasting is evolving at a breakneck pace, driven by the rapid introduction of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. While these advancements offer unprecedented forecasting power, the sheer volume of new sources, weather apps and predictive models can easily overwhelm even the most experienced weather forecasters and navigators.
The Weather Models Masterclass is designed to cut through this modern "data storm." Chris Bedford will provide students with a new way to approach the process of forecasting. He will share practical tools needed to manage multiple weather models, streamline their pre-race and offshore passage analyses, and confidently make prudent and winning decisions on the water.
“We’ve taught thousands of students at the Academy since inception – and our student body is always keen to learn more,” says Peter Isler, MWU co-founder. "With the explosion of new AI-driven forecasting tools recently, the game has changed completely. This masterclass is designed to help our students manage all the models, not get overwhelmed, and learn best practices from a pro. It will bridge the gap between raw data and confident decision making."
The masterclass will be instructed by Chris Bedford, an industry legend with 35 years of experience in marine and coastal meteorology who has provided his expertise to multiple America’s Cups, Olympic teams, and Volvo Ocean Races. He recently led the weather team that guided the maxi trimaran SODEBO ULTIM 3 to set the Jules Verne Trophy Record - around the planet non-stop in 40 days under sail.
"Chris always does such a great job at presenting complex information in a way that is understandable – and entertaining," notes Isler.
Course Highlights:
Navigating the New Landscape: Understand the shift in forecasting and how AI is changing the accuracy and delivery of weather models.
Model Management: Learn a professional's system for organizing, comparing, and interpreting conflicting data without getting paralyzed by options.
Strategic Decision Making: Translate complex weather model data into actionable tactics for weather routing and safe navigation.
Marine Weather University's existing full-length offerings—including the eight-class Fundamentals Course and the 16-class Advanced Course—continue to set the standard in marine weather education. This new masterclass serves as a vital update to modern forecasting tactics, building on the university's foundational mission to make sailors smarter about the weather.