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America’s Cup Yacht Tracking and Data: The Beginning of a New Era
We’ve all become accustomed to the impressive graphics, tracking, and analysis featured in America’s Cup and SailGP coverage. But how did it all begin?
The journey traces back to the 1983 ‘Race of the Century’ between John Bertrand’s Australia II and Dennis Connor’s Liberty. As Liberty led into the final downwind leg, Australia II managed to gybe away, ultimately passing Liberty and rounding the bottom mark with a 21-second lead. However, during this thrilling race, commentators lacked crucial information concerning the boats’ positions relative to the wind and course marks.
In Perth, at the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Hugh Agnew gathered key members of the Australia II crew to find a solution for the next America’s Cup in Fremantle in 1987. As a yacht navigator leading a specialist navigation company focused on offshore and defense sectors, Hugh took the challenge seriously.
The task was daunting, as this was long before GPS technology existed and receiving cooperation from competitors was nearly impossible. Back then, teams faced challenges involving keel shrouds and submersible spying. Consequently, acquiring data from boats proved to be a significant obstacle, alongside gaining race organization access and funding for the project.
Despite these challenges, success was achieved. Graham Walker’s Crusader team tender was equipped with advanced navigation computers, the Syledis land-based radio positioning system, and B&G wind instruments. With a privilege flag, the boat could navigate inside the spectator fleet during races.
Thus, Sailvision was born, utilized during the Challenger series, Defender series, and the final race between Ian Murray’s Kookaburra III and Dennis Connor’s Stars and Stripes. The resulting graphics were incorporated into the worldwide television feed, reaching over 20 million viewers.
Initially, tracking relied on dead reckoning using generic 12-meter performance polars, along with wind speed and direction measured on the boat. Updates on each boat’s point of sailing, tacks, and gybes were conducted manually. The model was refined using a combination of a hand-bearing compass, horizontal sextant angle, and laser rangefinder, yielding impressive accuracy in terms of lead margins and estimating time to the mark.
The foundation laid during that time has led to significant advancements in technology and visualizations, with current systems benefiting from streaming data and integrated race management. In stark contrast to 1987, when access to buoy positions was a challenge, today’s technologies offer seamless tracking and analysis.
Hugh Agnew has continued to enhance navigation systems over the years, contributing to innovations such as the Yeoman plotter in the 1990s. In the 2000s, he owned and ran B&G, and in 2015, he co-founded A+T Instruments, a leading manufacturer of high-end yacht instruments. He remains open to questions and discussions with others who share an interest in this area.
A+T Instruments is proud of its pioneering contributions 37 years ago and continues to provide the highest quality instruments and sensors designed for racing and superyachts.
For more information, visit www.aandtinstruments.com.
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Alex Tanaka, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Singapore, has a deep passion for the sea that began in childhood. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the National University of Singapore, Alex has built a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling. Their work captures the excitement of sailing and the intricate details of maritime life, making them a respected voice in the sailing community. When not writing, Alex enjoys exploring new waters and participating in local regattas, always seeking the next adventure on the horizon.
