Finally, the dust has settled at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club! Over the past few months, this exclusive venue on the Persian Gulf has been the battleground for the popular SB20 class several times, culminating in the recent prestigious World Championships. 48 competitors from 12 different countries battled it out during 13 races in typical local conditions. Now all sailors have returned home, only the replays in the Sailmon App bear witness to the spectacle that unfolded.
(Start of SB20 race - Mikey Brignall - Dubai Offshore Sailing Club)
Spectacle in Dubai
Race Director, Alan Ruigrok, doesn't hold back his enthusiasm when asked about his experience of the WC: "It’s been an absolute honour to host the SB20 world championships. We’ve had a fantastic week here in Dubai. Showcasing the amazing sailors across the world, and their impeccable talent and dedication to teamwork, qualities that make our sport so admirable." The experienced event professional had just witnessed the podiums for the final standings being determined. Team Kidzink produced a female winner for the first time in the class's history.
Tracking by Sailmon
Before eyes turn to the next regatta, participants, organizers, and spectators worldwide take a moment to reflect on the successful event in the Sailmon App. Since all competitors had Sailmon’s MAX Mini tracker on board, the spectacle on the water was represented in a clear and intuitive way in the Sailmon App. Chaotic battles with a maze of dozens of boats - barely followable for spectators on the shore - were translated into crystal-clear tracking on a map and graph. This feature of the Sailmon App allows anyone interested to watch, relive, and analyze races - live or afterwards. And that opportunity was eagerly embraced.
(Screenshot of Sailmon Racing | Sailmon App)
SB20 digitalizes their class
The organization's choice of Sailmon's innovations comes as no surprise. The SB20 class has been gaining popularity in recent years and has every reason to showcase that growth in the digital arena. Combine that with an emerging sailing hub in Dubai, and the equation becomes clear. Integrating Sailmon’s solution means organizing a sailing event in an accessible, visual, and, above all, more digital way. Much to the delight of the jury. They were provided with an additional check for a possible recall through the (live) tracking. Whilst participating coaches and talents also benefit greatly from Sailmon's involvement.
The perfect debrief
They are provided with insights that would otherwise remain hidden in the traditionally analogue world. Trips can be viewed in the Sailmon App either at an individual level (only one's own performance visible and no race course) or as part of the race (performance of all competitors visible and a race course). The MAX Mini generates SOG, COG, Heel, Pitch, and Heading Compass Direction. Its bigger brother, the Sailmon MAX, which many fleet participants already sail with, shows even more data.
The trips with the relevant data are presented on a clear map and timeline. Users have the option to zoom in or out, determine the playback time themselves, focus on specific data, or even compare directly with other competitors. The phone limits the user to comparing with one competitor. The iPad version offers even more.
(Screenshot of 'the perfect debrief' | Sailmon App)
Unique data with visual combination
Anyone thinking it's just raw data is mistaken. The Sailmon App offers the unique opportunity to synchronize data with images. So the spectacle on the water is not lost. The organization cleverly employs experienced drone pilots for this. Their material is loaded immediately after the races, and the system synchronizes it with the data to make it available to everyone. Spectacular starts, tactical upwind legs, hectic buoy roundings, lightning-fast downwind legs, and triumphant finishes. It's all there.
(Video of the combination of data with video | Sailmon App | Click here to see full race)
Several parties benefit significantly. The organization can share the lively images with the rest of the world for additional promotion of the class, the event, and the location. Coaches and participants can analyze their performance even better based on the images. And last but not least: those who couldn't attend the event can digitally take a front-row seat. All races are freely accessible. If users find the phone too small, there's the option to switch to the iPad or web browser version via Sailmon.com/racing.
The SB20 can look back on a very successful edition of the World Championships. This conclusion can also be based on data. Races in the app have never been so popular before. Moreover, the SB20, the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, and Dubai are back on the (digital) sailing map. A result of a beautiful collaboration between a class moving with the times and, on the other hand, an innovation company facilitating that.
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👉 Do you want to relive the races of the Dubai Duty Free SB20 World Championships 2024?
1. Open the Sailmon App:
- Computer: go to Sailmon.com/racing
- Phone and iPad: download via AppStore or GooglePlay
2. Tap on EVENTS (fourth emoticon at the bottom bar)
3. Search and tap on Dubai Duty Free SB20 World Championships 2024
4. Scroll down and tap on one of the races
5. Tap on 'Start Replay'
👉 Are you interested in tracking/broadcasting for your sailing event?
Get in touch with sales@sailmon.com for more information.