Allied Data Systems has written two pieces of software for use in sailing regattas. The first is called RaceMASTER and is used to record the race results in fleet racing. The second is called SmartSTART and was originally designed for match racing but can also be used for fleet racing starts. Its primary purpose is to automate the starting process and anyone who has done the time for match racing will know that this needs to be automated. Please contact us if you have any questions or want any additional information on either of the products below.

RaceMASTER, SmartSTART, WindTeller

RaceMASTER: this software is designed primarily for dingy racing however because it also provides for mixed class racing, it is also suitable for small clubs or twilight sailing. The principle of the design of the software was to keep it as simple as possible. It does not do everything but then you also don't need a pilots licence to be able to operate it. However having said this we would be remiss if we didn't state that you should have had some experience with race management (that is running a regatta), with computers in general and also be reasonably proficient with Microsoft Excel.

What the software does do for you is :

a. allow you to very easily enter race results including time

b. allow you to very quickly produce handicap and scratch results (both on a race by race basis and overall)

c. automatically update TCF's for each boat on a race by race basis for handicap results

d. import membership details or regatta boats and crews (using Excel)

e. create specialized results based on filters (for example: junior, all girl crew, masters etc)

f. operate with mixed class racing (that is where every boat is a different class)

The software is best operated with Windows XP, if you need to operate it on a different operating system (that is Win95/98/2000) then this of course is possible, but you may need some additional drivers to be installed, hence contact us. For Mac user's you will need to run a windows emulation.

Here are the links to the RaceMASTER software and user manual (pdf), you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Cost $200 per licence (plus GST if you are in Australia). Unlike other software we do not charge a yearly maintenance fee !

SmartSTART: SmartSTART was designed in association with the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and specifically with the help and encouragement of Dennis Thompson at the club. As anyone who has done the timing for match racing will know, it can and usually is a sole destroying process because of the number of races, repetition of the starting sequence, concentration involved over a full days racing, and the requirement to inform those also on the boat when to put flags up and down and when to sound the hooter.

SmartStart does all of this for you with little input required from the user, it even talks to you to tell you what flags are to go up and pull down, gives you a verbal count down as well as a visual count down, and it blows the hooter. It allows you (with a bit of practice) to do all those odd things such as postponements, restarts and blank starts as well. If you have been doing match racing starts, then you will know that it generally takes at least 3 people (generally more are involved), one doing the timing, one pulling the flags up and down and someone blowing the hooter (or firing the gun). The person doing the timing has it the hardest as they need to do the count down and make sure that everyone knows what flags are to go up or down. SmartSTART enables you to actually drop back to 1 person if necessary or though 2 are ideal. With 2 it is a very easy and no stress day on the water.

What is available:

Firstly there is the software which can be run on any PC or notebook.

Secondly we have built a "Vessel of Opportunity" system that includes everything along with the hooter and the horn speaker (for the voice commands). We identified it as a "Vessel of Opportunity" system as we have found that most clubs do not always use the same vessel, often it may be a club member's craft. Hence the facilities are unknown. This system therefore has everything including the battery that will allow a complete and uninterrupted days operation on the water. The battery can be recharged over night.

And yes it can also be used for those pesky multiple starts in fleet racing.

We have available for download a reasonably large file (22MB) that is a introductory video of the system in use. This is of an early version of SmartSTART so there have been a number of changes and improvements including the voice (you can even substitute your own voices and commands, or we can help you, hence it can be in other than the English language if needed). As this is a labour of love we will update the AVI when we have some time.

But please contact us if we can give you any more information !!

WindTeller: This is a funky little program that was written for SOCOG (Sydney Olympic Games Organizing Committee). The yachting part of the organization wanted to keep a record of the wind speed and changes during the regatta, so each start boat had a Notebook PC that interfaced to the navigational systems on the boat. Windteller recorded the information and graphed it over time, plus it could be used to load a previous file and display on a lime line any changes. This enabled them to know during a protest exactly what the wind was doing if necessary.