Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

B&G and the Australian Sailing Team – enduring, evolving, and completely essential

by Australian Sailing 7 Dec 2021 18:06 PST
Australian Sailing Team © Beau Outteridge

When you are so utterly focussed on getting the best out of a particular programme, you need to put only the very best into it. In a way, this would have to be a streamlined version of one of the key messages from our super-coach, the masterful Victor Kovalenko.

When it comes to real-time sailing information, and the delivery of it, the Australian Sailing Team (AST) has for the last eight years been able to rely on B&G for the gathering and display of data on board their coach boats, all over the globe. Recently, this long-term partnership was extended for another four years, as a sign of the commitment shared, and it is not just for the supply of equipment, either.

One of the fundamental elements behind it all, and so therefore not that well known about, is the support applied by B&G's software technicians. Usually this is under very short timeframes, quite often just before major international regattas, and it has to eventually be installed across the entire fleet. Throughout the tenure of the relationship, B&G have always been there and always delivered. Naturally, this stress-free environment then allows the coaches and sailors to get on with what they do.

Laura Tolmay, Marketing and Communications Manager from B&G's parent company Navico commented on the expansive relationship, "The partnership between B&G and the AST was first established in 2014, with the intention of providing high-end sailing electronics to support vessels across Australia for the training of athletes."

"Each training vessel was fitted with a B&G Zeus MFD, heading sensor, along with a wind sensor, and the primary use for these systems was to collect and provide coaches with real-time environmental information, so they can identify trends and relay these to the sailors. As part of the sponsorship agreement, B&G committed to supply upgraded and newly improved equipment each year, or when released, along with support for software enhancements as required by the team."

"As the only electronics brand designed specifically for sailing B&G is committed to elevate sailing in Australia, and take a bigger role within the sailing community where we can support not only performance racing, but youth sailing and cruising. The successful partnership with the AST allows us to partake in youth sailing events, regattas, and various other activities that promote sailing, and inspire those within the fraternity."

"It is a great honour that the AST has chosen B&G as an electronics partner for the next four years, and we are thrilled to be working with each of the athletes, coaching staff, administrators, and all those involved who share the same passion for sailing", said Tolmay in closing.

Australian Sailing's Performance Analyst, Sam Ellis, added, "The challenge we face is that in a sport as multifactorial and complex as sailing, is that there are no silver bullets when it comes to performance. The key is to be able to reliably identify and understand the complex relationships between the environment you are sailing in, and your boat's performance. So you need to be able to respond accordingly, as the environment changes around you."

"Since beginning my role with Australian Sailing Team four years ago, Brookes and Gatehouse have been instrumental in providing us with the equipment and support we need to be able to not only monitor our environment in real-time in a simple user-friendly manner, but also collect that data for long-term analysis. B&G have supported us at every major and minor regatta, both locally and internationally."

"Every single one of our coach boats around the world is fully fitted out with cutting-edge environmental sensors, supplied by B&G, which means no matter where we go in the world, we are always gaining insights into our environment, allowing our coaches and sailors to identify trends in the environment, and react to get the best out of their boats, no matter what the conditions."

"Sailing is a sport of decision making and risk analysis. The better the information you have on hand, typically then sets you up for a much higher degree of decision making. Be it in equipment choice, or course navigation decisions, it all relates back to how well you can determine what is happening out on the racecourse. The B&G systems we employ gift us with the most accurate and reliable information to base our decisions on."

In terms of being able to develop for the future, Ellis added, "The data we gather from our B&G systems forges the base of information that sets us up for all other research. Without a great understanding of the environment, performance analysis in sailing is near impossible."

Of course, it all comes down to being out on the water. The AST is blessed to have the services of Michael Blackburn. He's quite the handy Laser regatta sailor himself, and yes the understatement is intentional, but let's not forget he has also crossed Bass Strait in one of Bruce Kirby's 'Weekenders', as they were originally known. That's quite the achievement.

Now today, 'Blackers' as he is known so well, is a coach. This time we are not going to veil his accomplishments at all, for there are three exceptional athletes who now all have the much-prized sailing Gold Medal to their name, stemming from their time under his tutelage. They're almost household names, as well, and these sailors par-excellence are Tom Slingsby, Tom Burton, and now Matt Wearn.

Blackburn reflected on the relationship with B&G, which is significant, for he has been part of the whole journey to date. "AST coaches need reliable equipment that just works in harsh conditions, and also when the going gets tough during major international regattas. We've benefited immensely from our eight-year partnership with B&G, depending on their weather monitoring gear on our fleet of coach boats for accurate and reliable insights into wind strength and direction."

"It's also valuable for us to be able to compare weather data between coach boats to give us a better picture of what the wind is doing across the course. With B&G's support, we've outfitted our fleet of regatta coach boats with feature packed performance tools that enhance our coaches and athletes understanding of wind behaviour. The AST is absolutely looking forward to continuing its partnership with B&G for the next four years, and all the regattas we will attend in that time."

In something as dynamic as sailing, where nothing is ever entirely the same, something from way back when might well be the enduring sentiment. Back in the 70s and early 80s, computer theory was always distilled down to 'Garbage In = Garbage Out'. Today, with society's ever-expanding reliance on technology, it is probably even more apt than then.

So in the end, if you want the best from your sailing, you have to start with the best. In terms of performance data, and real time intel, that means B&G.

Related Articles

Grae Morris Crowned U23 iQFOiL World Champion
After an incredible week of racing in Portimão, Portugal Grae Morris has been crowned iQFOiL Under 23 World Champion in Portimão, Portugal, after an incredible week of racing. Morris dominated the fleet, winning 14 of the 19 qualifying races to secure his place directly in the Grand Final. Posted on 14 Sep
Morris Returns to Action at iQFOiL U23 Worlds
Set to feature a mammoth 20 races in Portimão, Portugal Grae Morris returns to competition this week in Portimão, Portugal, for the iQFOiL Under 23 World Championships. The regatta runs from 8-13 September and is set to feature a mammoth 20 races over six days on the Atlantic Ocean. Posted on 8 Sep
Young Aussies Medal at ILCA U21 Worlds
Future Shines Bright in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland Australia's next generation of sailing talent has made its mark on the world stage, with Isaac Schotte claiming silver and Frances Beebee finishing with a bronze medal at the ILCA Under 21 World Championships. Posted on 1 Sep
Silver for Stranksy at ILCA European Championships
Australia's ILCA squad has wrapped up a testing week in Marstrand, Sweden Australia's ILCA squad has wrapped up a testing week of racing at the 2025 ILCA European Championships in Marstrand, Sweden, with Mara Stransky securing silver in the ILCA6 to headline a strong team performance. Posted on 16 Aug
Australian Sailing Team and Element 6 Evolution
Elite Partnership Continues Towards LA 2028 The Australian Sailing Team's (AST) ILCA program is built on a legacy of excellence, underpinned by world-class athletes, a strong squad culture, and elite equipment. Posted on 31 Jul
Sailing's Lost Olympic Dream
Honouring the 1980 Yachting Team In an era where politics overshadowed sport, the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow became a defining moment of sacrifice for many Australian athletes, including the 12 sailors who were selected to represent their country but never got the chance to compete. Posted on 30 Jul
Strong start on LA waters for Australian Sailors
A valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Australia's top Olympic class sailors have wrapped up a valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in California, gaining firsthand experience at the future venue of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 17 Jul
Australian sailors take to Olympic waters
Regatta serves as an important test, not just for sailors, but also for organisers The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta is set to get begin, marking the first major combined event on the waters of the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 12 Jul
Tough conditions test Morris
As iQFOiL World Championships wrap up The iQFOiL World Championships have drawn to a close in Aarhus, Denmark, following a week of light and unpredictable wind that tested both race officials and athletes to the limit. Posted on 11 Jul
Grae Morris Takes on the iQFOiL Worlds
Shifty conditions on the first day in Aarhus, Denmark Aarhus, Denmark is serving up everything but predictability as the iQFOiL World Championships get under way, and Australian Olympic silver medallist Grae Morris is ready to assert his place at the top of the new Olympic cycle. Posted on 6 Jul
Barton Marine Pipe GlandsRooster 2025Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range