WPNSA TO HOST TEMPEST WORLDS AND NEW RACE-TRAX TECHNOLOGY

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy will be playing host to not only the Tempest World Championships from August 16 to 22 but also a new form of technology, ‘Race-Trax Live Positioning’.

With over 30 boats from 9 countries entered, Race-Trax will be used throughout the international fleet.  The technology originally developed from a system currently used by the military will provide each boat’s position in the fleet, updated second by second to within half a metre’s accuracy. 

Transmitters will be fitted to each of the boats and to the five race marks.  The inclusion of modules also on the ODM and committee boat will allow race officers to accurately check if boats are over the line at start time and transmitters on race marks will aid race management in setting accurate courses for the competitors.

The data, including position, speed, course over the ground, heading, wind speed and direction, will be transmitted from the water to Race-Trax servers allowing LIVE! viewing of the racing by interested parties, via the internet at www.race-trax.com, anywhere in the world. The Race-Trax support team will also be on hand for the duration of the event so feel free to arrange on site or phone interviews with them via Cailah Leask, Cailah.leask@fasttracksailing.com .

The Tempest World Championships are part of an ongoing test of Race-Trax technology by the Royal Yachting Association, which will include the Skandia Sail For Gold Regatta, also being held at the Weymouth Sailing Academy from September 15  to 20, 2008.