TracTracUK + Sailteck

Developing the Next Generation of GPS Race Technology

TracTracUK is working in partnership with Sailteck to explore how high-accuracy GPS technology can take sailing beyond traditional race tracking and into a new generation of race management, starting technology and digital officiating.

At the heart of this work is the integration of the Sailteck GPS racing compass with the TracTrac platform, bringing together technology on the boat with live race data ashore.

For sailors, this means a high-performance GPS compass and racing tool.

For race organisers, it opens up something much bigger.

From Race Tracking to Digital Race Management

TracTrac has already demonstrated how GPS tracking can transform the way sailors, coaches and spectators understand a race.

Our work with Sailteck takes that technology another step forward.

By combining accurate GPS positioning from competitors with accurately surveyed race marks and starting lines, we are developing tools that can support Race Officers with some of the most difficult decisions on the racecourse.

One of the most exciting areas is the development of an OCS system for race starts.

GPS-Based OCS Detection

Determining whether a boat is over the starting line at the start signal has traditionally relied on the Race Committee's visual judgement.

In large fleets, busy start lines and difficult conditions, that can be challenging.

The Sailteck and TracTracUK project is exploring how high-accuracy positioning can provide the Race Committee with an additional digital view of the starting line.

Using accurate GPS positions from the Sailteck units together with a precisely defined start line, the system can identify the position of each boat relative to the line.

The objective is to give race officials clear, immediate information showing which boats may have been On Course Side (OCS) at the start.

Importantly, we see this technology as a tool to support Race Officers and race officials, rather than simply replacing the people running the racing.

Introducing StartLine

TracTracUK is developing this starting technology under the working name StartLine.

StarLine brings together:

High-accuracy GPS positioning
Accurate boat positions supplied through Sailteck technology.

Digital start-line geometry
A precisely defined start line between the Race Committee vessel and pin end.

Live OCS information
Providing race officials with an additional digital view of boats around the line at the start.

TracTrac race tracking
The same positional data can feed directly into the live tracking, race replay and analysis system.

That means one piece of technology has the potential to support the sailor, Race Committee, coaches and spectators.

One Device – Multiple Benefits

The really exciting part of the Sailteck partnership is that this isn't technology designed purely for major championships.

A Sailteck GPS compass can be useful every time a sailor goes afloat.

During training it can provide sailors and coaches with valuable performance information.

During racing it operates as a GPS racing compass.

At a TracTrac-enabled event, the same technology can become part of the race tracking and race management infrastructure.

This creates the potential for classes and clubs to invest in technology that delivers value throughout the season rather than equipment that is only used at one major championship.

Better Starts. Better Data. Better Racing.

Starting is one of the most important — and most difficult — parts of sailboat racing.

Our aim is not simply to identify boats that are OCS.

The combination of Sailteck and TracTrac data can also help us understand how starts are won.

  • Which end was favoured?

  • How close were the leading boats to the line?

  • Who accelerated most effectively?

  • Where did the race winners start?

How did their first 30 seconds compare with the rest of the fleet?

This turns starting data into something valuable not just for officials, but also for sailors and coaches.

Supporting Clubs and Classes

TracTracUK is particularly interested in working with classes that want to adopt the technology across both training and racing.

A class-based system could combine Sailteck GPS compasses with a TracTrac Club subscription, allowing the same equipment to be used for:

  • Club and squad training

  • Coaching and performance analysis

  • Live event tracking

  • Race replay

  • Starting analysis

  • OCS support

  • Championship race management

  • Spectator and media coverage

It creates a connected system running from a normal training weekend right through to a National, European or World Championship.

Testing Technology Where It Matters – On the Water

TracTracUK's role is about more than supplying technology.

We work directly with sailors, coaches, Race Officers and event organisers at some of the UK's biggest dinghy and youth sailing events.

That gives us an opportunity to develop and test these systems in the environment where they actually need to work: on a real racecourse, with real sailors and real race-management pressures.

The feedback from those trials will help shape how GPS-based race management develops.

The Future of Race Management

We believe GPS technology will become an increasingly important part of sailing's race-management infrastructure.

Tracking was the first step.

The next step is using that positional data intelligently — helping officials make better-informed decisions while giving sailors unprecedented insight into their own racing.

Our partnership with Sailteck is an important part of that journey.

  • Results tell you who won.

  • Tracking shows you how.

  • The next generation of GPS technology can help us run the race too.

Interested in Trialling the Technology?

TracTracUK is looking to work with forward-thinking sailing clubs, classes and event organisers interested in testing Sailteck, TracTrac and the developing StartLine OCS system.

Talk to TracTracUK about bringing the next generation of GPS race technology to your class or event.

SAILTECK