Vehicle Tracker to Keep Tabs on Yacht Race

June 24, 2008

While tracking competitive racers on land is taking off, GPS technology is also getting put to use tracking racers on the water. Fleet management and vehicle tracking provider Pointer Telocation Ltd. and G4S Telematix S.A. will provide tracking technology for live coverage of a series of premier Mediterranean sailing races, the companies said today.

The operation is part of a long-standing partnership that Pointer Telocation has with G4S Telematix, a Greek location-based services provider and part of G4S plc., a global security services provider.

For the upcoming 45th Aegean Rally, set to take place July 11 through July 20, sailing fans will be able to follow the race position of each sailing team by visiting the race's website. The two companies are also the technology providers for additional races, including the 2008 ISAD-ORC International Offshore World Championship in Athens, June 20 through June 28, which is sponsored by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC).

This follows a successful 2008 Posidonia Cup, which took place the final week of May, according to Pointer. The company's Cellocator CelloTrack GPS tracking units kept tabs on more than 50 yachts during the regatta.

The Aegean Rally, also organized by HORC, has been held since 1964. The race draws coverage from the national and international media, and last year's race website was viewed by more than 40,000 fans, Pointer said.

The CelloTrack GPS tracking units are specially designed to address the needs of a sail boat, including protection against water and bad weather, according to the company. During the race G4S Telematix will transfer tracking data from the units to the Agean Rally race website throughout the duration of the race.