As almost every sailor will have been glued to Team Dickson Waddilove's amazing performance in the 49er class last week and undoubtedly will be watching Finn Lynch and Eve McMahon battling it out over the next week, some viewers may have noticed the marks they were using!
After a selection process that lasted months with intense testing in all conditions on wind and tide, the Effetto Venturi GiPSy buoy was selected as the sole supplier to the sailing courses of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Marseille.
With input from top Race Officials and sailors who had used other brands of robotic marks throughout the world, it was found that the GiPSy buoy was superior in a number of key areas;
- Ease of use of control program
- Highest precision fixing
- Ability to engage and disengage buoys without app
- Simplicity and ease of deployment
- Size of buoy for bringing and returning from race courses
The exact same buoys have been showcased in Ireland by Kenny Rumball this summer at various events throughout the country. So far they have been used for;
- Irish Sailing League
- Dun Laoghaire Sportsboat Cup
- Dragon Eastern Championships
- Dublin Bay Sailing Club start line
- RS Sailing Ireland Fest
- Scottish Series
The summer sailing season is not over yet and there are still a number of events planned that will be employing the use of the robotic marks.
The advantages of the buoys in running racing is unmatched with some race officers and mark layers almost demanding their use for upcoming events.
Advantages include;
- No more hauling of lines for mark layers
- Highly accurate starting lines and course layouts
- Less reliance on accuracy of mark laying boats
- Less mark laying boat required
- Ability to change mark positions quickly and efficiently
As part of the testing of the buoys prior to selection for Paris 2024, these buoys were tested to their limits to be used by the best sailors. As was seen on the Laser course last Friday the marks had no problem holding position in 25+knots of wind and a 3m swell.
If they are good enough for the Olympics, they should be good enough for sailing events in Ireland.
The GiPSy buoys are available for rent from MarineServices.ie for the remainder of this season and for 2025. If your sailing class or event requires their use, please don’t hesitate to contact Kenny and his team. [email protected]