Cutting-edge Technology Maps Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race

Esri Australia’s data mapping technology will bring the iconic Easter blue water classic to an international audience of millions.

Sailing fans all over the world will be able to enjoy the up-to-the-minute action of the QantasLink Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race from dry land, thanks to state-of-the-art mapping technology.

The race begins at 12noon on Good Friday at Moreton Bay.

Data mapping and location intelligence experts Esri Australia have once again partnered with the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race to create an online mapping application that tracks the yachts’ progress over the 308 nautical mile journey.

Esri Australia Managing Director Brett Bundock said given the role that mapping has playing in nautical history, it made perfect sense for his company be a part of the evolution of this iconic sporting event.

“Using our online map, the race coordinators are able to communicate vast amounts of information to a global audience. Once the race data is translated into a map the visual context provides a clearer picture of the race as it unfolds, in a universal language,” says Mr Bundock.

“It’s very exciting to see our mapping technology used to add value to a leisure pursuit. Ordinarily, in our day-to-day work at Esri Australia, we are partnering with government and commercial enterprises to drive greater value from their data assets. So it’s nice to provide the broader community with access to the technology,” said Mr Bundock.

Herb Prendergast, the Race Manager of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race said the technology has brought the competition, which has been held annually since 1949, to a new audience.

“Tracking the yachts has been a requirement since the very first race more than sixty years ago, although back then competitors were required to carry homing pigeons and release two pigeons per day. Luckily, technology has evolved,” said Mr Prendergast.

“Esri Australia’s location intelligence solution will provide an accurate picture of the race to millions of spectators and fans. This cutting-edge online map brings this historic race into a new era and to a new audience. ”

Esri Australia has been providing the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club, which hosts the race, with location intelligence solutions for more than seven years.

Originally, Esri Australia’s data mapping technology was used to support decision making and race control, showing organisers where the yachts were placed and what dangers they may be facing due to weather or location. 

“As the race audience becomes more sophisticated, we have worked to meet their expectations around the delivery of information by deploying more creative communication and location intelligence solutions,” said Mr Bundock.

In 2010, the Yacht Tracker map received more than 14 million hits.

Mr Bundock said Esri Australia drew on its expertise as Australia's premier Geographic Information Systems (GIS) company to produce the sophisticated mapping application behind the Yacht Tracker website.

“We're fortunate to have the largest team of GIS and location intelligence experts in the country,” he said.

“We're very proud to put the weight of that experience and technical knowledge behind this project, to deliver a valuable tool to millions of sailing fans everywhere.”

The Yacht Tracker map can be viewed at www.brisbanetogladstone.com.au