Coast to Coast more accessible than ever before   16 Jan 2015

Speight's Coast to Coast

Coast to Coast more accessible than ever before

16 January 2015

Next month’s Speight’s Coast to Coast will be more accessible than ever before, thanks to technology.

The iconic multi sport event being held on the 13th and 14th of February is utilising a digital radio system and live GPS tracking of athletes that Event Director Richard Ussher says will enable the event to tell the story of the race like never before while also improving its safety through a more robust communication system.

“Our investment in technology this year will mean supporters will be able to follow their competitors far more closely than in previous years, especially in sections like the mountain run and kayak,” he said.

“Family and friends will be able to watch mate race against mate, support crews will know exactly where their athletes are and the overall safety of competitors will be greatly improved.”

Ussher said his team had spent a lot of time and effort working with CRS, who are providing the race with the digital radio system, Spot NZ for the GPS tracking and Evento, who have developed a new APP for the Coast to Coast.

Ussher said he was confident it will mean the event will be able connect and engage with a much larger audience but more importantly be able to give spectators and supporters much more information about how competitors are going, how the race is unfolding while also showcasing some of the amazing course that spectators can’t access.

“We have worked really hard to get it right and we’re really excited by the potential of making the event much more live and interactive.”

The top 15 men and top 10 women in the One Day World Championship Longest Day event will be equipped with SPOT Satellite Messenger GPS devices that will track their progress while other one and two day competitors will be able to rent the GPS units.

The evento APP, available for Android and Apple phones, will provide a live event feed as well as course maps, entry lists, live timing, social media feeds, sponsors messages and news and updates.

Media partner NZME is also providing live commentary on a dedicated radio signal (1017am) on the second day of racing that covers day two of the two day event and the One Day Longest Day event.

The technology and commentary from NZME will fed into a communications hub based at the new New Brighton finish line and feed to a large video screen and sound system that organisers say will add to the festival atmosphere they are creating.

“We’re confident the finish line this year will not only attract people supporting friends or family in the event, but will also draw people to New Brighton to just be part of the atmosphere,” Ussher said.

A fireworks display off the end of the pier will bring the event to a close. Entries close today (Friday) that Ussher said were well up on recent years.

Ends

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