The start is one of the most intense and critical moments of a sailboat race. In those final moments before the gun, sailors make split-second decisions, gauge their position relative to the line, and battle for the best start. For race committees, ensuring a fair and efficient start has always been a challenge.
Technology is changing that. While researching starting systems for Sailing World, contributor Mike Ingham reached out to discuss what’s possible, what works, and what’s next—including what we’re working on at Velocitek. You can read Mike’s article here: https://www.sailingworld.com/racing/starting-systems-are-changing-the-game/
Here’s a broader picture of what we have in the pipeline—THE NEW NEW THING in race management technology:
The Next Generation of RTK Starting Systems
In September 2024, Velocitek debuted the first RTK GPS-based starting system with the NYYC at the Resolute Cup. This marked the first time RTK GPS race management technology was used outside of the America’s Cup and SailGP, making this cutting-edge technology available to the broader racing community. Our system currently holds the distinction of being used in the largest fleet to date for an RTK-enabled starting system. By delivering unprecedented accuracy and reliability, Velocitek is setting a new standard for fair and competitive racing.
Why Accuracy Matters: The Role of RTK GPS
Unlike standard L1/L5 GPS, which has an accuracy of +/- 1 meter, RTK GPS reduces positional error to within 1.8 cm. With this level of accuracy the system will not make a call that is obviously wrong to a skilled observer (RC or competitor).
At Velocitek, we’ve been working to push this technology forward with our upcoming RTK Puck, a breakthrough device that delivers ultra-accurate location data for both sailors and race committees. The RTK Puck ensures that every call is the right call and backed by good data.
The Future of Race Management: More Than Just Starting
While starting systems are getting attention, the broader implications of these advancements are just as exciting. The ability to set perfectly accurate start lines, track boats in real time, and provide instant race analysis means electronic race management isn’t just about reducing errors—it’s about elevating the sport.
For example, our RTK technology helped race officials run 22 starts without a single general recall at the Resolute Cup. Every start was conducted under a P-flag, demonstrating that when sailors trust the accuracy of the system, they can confidently push the line at go, instead of backing off the line by 3-4 meters to manage the risk of a bad call due to standard precision L1/L5 GPS error. The outcome of the RTK deployment at the Resolute Cup was even starts, competitive first beats, and tight mark one roundings.
Looking forward, seamless integration across devices is the next frontier. Our wireless version of the RTK Puck is Bluetooth connected to pair with smartwatches, smartphones, and onboard displays, making high-accuracy GPS data more accessible than ever before.
Why This Matters for Sailors
At the end of the day, all this technology serves a single purpose: helping you get the most out of your time on the water. By ensuring accurate calls at the start, automating complex race committee tasks, and providing sailors with the best possible data, we can improve the quality of racing at every level.
While writing the recent article in Sailing World, the author reached out to us to discuss competitor systems, and we had a great conversation about the broader landscape of race management technology. That article did a great job starting the discussion of how starting systems are evolving, and we’re here to continue the conversation and tell the full story of how RTK GPS is reshaping race management.
The future of sailboat racing is accurate, connected, and data-driven. The future is RTK by Velocitek. We’re just getting started.