Swiftsure Race Tracker Update!

by Donna Randall on 22 May 2010 Global Star and West Martine have joined forces for the 2010 Swiftsure International Yacht Race to provide the 'SPOT 2' units that will be carried aboard the yachts to provide race tracking information.

Data will be collected from the yachts, including position, speed, and course, and downloaded every 10 minutes to the Swiftsure web site, at www.swiftsure.org. Skippers of yachts selected to carry these units will be required to provide a $200 deposit at the time of registration on Ship Point.

Now here's the long-term good news! On completion of the race, you will have the option to keep the SPOT 2 unit in exchange for your $200 deposit, including one year of air time; or, you can return the unit and receive back your deposit, in full. And, any remaining units will be offered for sale to interested parties. Presently, Swiftsure and the suppliers are working on the transfer of ownership procedures. If you are racing and know in advance that you want to purchase your SPOT 2 unit, please indicate your intentions when you register at Ship Point and make the appropriate arrangements.

These SPOT 2 units are good safety tracking devices that can be used for a variety of adventurous recreational activities. Aside from purchasing them at considerable savings, you will be able to use them in future Swiftsure races, and possibly other major yacht racing events, without the need of a deposit. Explains Swiftsure Chair Bill Conconi, 'We are pleased to partner with both Global Star and West Marine to offer the SPOT 2 system and units to track our 2010 yacht race, and for use into the future.'

More details http://www.swiftsure.org/