Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

52 Super Series go Smartmark in 2022

by 52 Super Series 30 Apr 2022 07:15 PDT
52 Super Series go Smartmark in 2022 © 52 Super Series

During the upcoming five regatta season the 52 Super Series will utilise autonomous remote controlled marks from the German company Smartmark. The buoys were comprehensively tested last season at the Rolex TP52 World Championship in Mallorca. The marks can be precisely remotely controlled to a GPS position said to be accurate to within 11cms.

The Smartmark will significantly reduce the number of RIBs and personnel required on the water each day thereby reducing the fuel burned and thereby contributing to the circuit's sustainability targets this year. It will also eliminate the use of anchors for mark buoys which damage the seabed.

And while the sustainability gains are significant and long lasting there are expected to be some improved efficiency and accuracy in course laying which is all controlled from the Race Committee Boat.

The Smartmark are built around a GRP hull - like a small RIB - and are positioned using 3-D Drone technology. Each has quadruple sensors - four gyroscopes, four barometers, four compasses and seven thermal sensors. One part of the sensors is thermally encapsulated whereas the other part is located in the atmosphere. With the help of the intelligent software the sensors are responsible for more than 70% of the precision of the Smartmark (30% by GPS). Allowing to distinguish whether the mark is moving or it's deviations in the GPS signal. They are positioned using two electric motors. A web based interface system makes it relatively straightforward for the PRO to set up the desired course geometry and make any changes quickly and efficiently.

The marks have proven efficient in recent high wind, strong current tests in the Solent off Southampton operating in four knots of current and 25kts (on the Baltic Sea the marks operated in 35 knots of wind) true wind speed they are reported to have stayed to in position to within 11cms. And while the marks are controlled from the committee boat because of the web-based interface control can be assumed from other remote locations or stations in extreme situations.

The mark's exact positions can be interfaced into the 52 Super Series race tracking during racing and can be positioned into each boat's navigation software.

Sustainability Director of the 52 Super Series Lars Böcking commented,

"We are very excited to be moving to Smartmark. It is important for us to be leading by example and adopting pragmatic new technologies which will allow us to reduce our carbon footprint by cutting back on what has been a significant daily fuel use. We are looking to improve in all areas all the time."

CEO of 52 Super Series Agustin Zulueta reported,

"We estimate this will save us the need for two RIBs operating on the water each day and that means saving more than 100 litres of fuel each event. We are very much looking forwards to working with Smartmark and seeing the savings and the improvements we can make."

CEO & Co-founder of Smartmark Jonas Schumacher stated,

"It is great to be chosen by 52 Super Series and get the trust in our technology by one of the most professional race circuits in the world. The core values of Smartmark are highest quality standards in sail racing by boosting efficiency and sustainability. 52 Super Series practices these values in all their events and daily business too."

Related Articles

Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 2
Consistent American Magic Quantum Racing move clear ahead American Magic Quantum Racing stepped three points clear at the top of the 2025 Rolex TP52 World Championship leaderboard today in Cascais, Portugal on the strength of a first and third from two breezy races. Posted on 3 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 1
Sled sparkle in Cascais' Atlantic surf to lead After seemingly being starved of boisterous top end conditions for some years now Okura's Sled crew have been relishing a return to big breezes and big waves. Posted on 2 Jul
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Interview with the CYCA Team
A highly experienced team for the revived Admiral's Cup regatta from July 17 The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is fielding a highly experienced team for the revived Admiral's Cup regatta that will be run from Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the UK, from 17th July 2025. Posted on 1 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais - Practice Day
Will Platoon Aviation's big breeze, big pressure experience prove key to their fourth world title? Of the three past and present world championship winning crews which completed their final practice today in typically muscular 25 knot breezes and big waves out of Cascais, Portugal it was Harm Müller-Spreer's Platoon Aviation which showed best today. Posted on 1 Jul
Introduction to the Admiral's Cup/Fastnet 2025
After a 22 year abscence, the renowned Admiral's Cup is back. After a break of 22 years, the renowned Admiral's Cup is returning to the international yacht racing scene in July 2025. One short ocean race, three days of inshore racing, and then the fabled Fastnet to finish Posted on 29 Jun
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais preview
Eleven teams hoping the Portuguese venue lives up to its reputation Given that it is a long time since the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet raced in big winds and waves, a breezy final few training days before the start of next week's Rolex TP52 World Championship in Cascais would be universally welcomed by the 11 teams. Posted on 23 Jun
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez preview
Looking ahead to the 27th edition The elegance of the Classics, the power of the Moderns, the majesty of the Maxis. This dreamlike combination, a legacy of the Nioulargue, will once again come together in the stunning setting of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez from September 27 to October 5. Posted on 22 Jun
Rolex TP52 World Championship preview
The pinnacle event of the 52 SUPER SERIES will be held at Cascais The annual Rolex TP52 World Championship represents the top tier of monohull grand prix sailing. Held as the pinnacle event of the 52 SUPER SERIES, of which Rolex is also Official Timepiece, the regatta is one of the most revered in the sport. Posted on 19 Jun
Sailing with Matt Cornwell
From youth sailing in Lymington to the America's Cup and TP52 Worlds From youth sailing in Lymington to the America's Cup and TP52 Worlds, Matt's journey has been shaped by resilience, big moments, and life at the bow. We caught up with him to talk favourite races and what he'd be doing if he weren't a sailor. Posted on 13 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup overall
American Magic Quantum Racing are Galician royalty, winning 2nd event of 2025 with a race to spare. Delivering an impressively consistent series across 10 races sailed in broad range of weather conditions Doug DeVos's US flagged crew of American Magic Quantum Racing won the second regatta of the 2025 season to lift the prestigious Royal Cup. Posted on 7 Jun
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeSwitch One DesignRooster 2025