Sailing expert joins AIS Tech and Innovation drive
by David Sygall 19 Apr 2018 23:58 PDT
Ian Burns brings years of sailing knowledge to the AIS © ASC
Ian Burns, who formed a powerful partnership with Australian Sailing Performance Director Iain Murray before working on nine America's Cup campaigns, has been appointed as the Australian Institute of Sport's Deputy Director of Applied Technology and Innovation, the Australian Sports Commission announced.
Burns spent the past seven years as Director of Performance with Oracle Team USA. The mechanical engineer with 35 years' experience developing sports technology worked closely with Murray in the design of multiple Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race winners before he left Australia in 1998. He said that in his new role he would seek to ensure the AIS was a leader in sport data, technology and innovation.
"America's Cup racing is focused on consistently advancing the technology to stay ahead of the competition, so I'm really looking forward to applying that experience more broadly with the AIS and Australian sport," Burns said.
"Australia and the AIS have built a great reputation in international sport, but development in technology and innovation has now reached a pivotal stage and will define how competitive we remain over the next 10 to 20 years.
"It will be one of the defining factors in global sport. My vision is for AIS Applied Technology and Innovation to be the world leader in its field."
Burns said Australian sport "just can't rely on tried and tested technology out in the market, we need to be willing to push the boundaries of innovation".
"I am intrigued by the opportunity with the AIS and Australian sport," Burns added. "It combines all the things I have a passion for including athlete performance, design technology and data analysis."
Murray's predecessor at Australian Sailing, Peter Conde, was appointed as AIS Director in August last year.