How RaceSense Took Over the Start Line in 2025
The first three months of 2025 marked a turning point for RaceSense—not just in terms of the number of events, but in the range of fleets, formats, and geographies where the system has become a core part of race management.
It started in January with a global footprint. RaceSense opened the year at the Etchells Worlds in Melbourne, Australia—arguably one of the most technical and closely watched events of the season so far. With full deployment from the Pre-Worlds to the final race, RaceSense proved its consistency in a high-pressure, high-profile environment. OCS calls are automatic, pings clean, and feedback to sailors instant.
Meanwhile, back in the U.S., Florida once again became the epicenter of winter sailing. The Melges 15 Winter Series kicked off the domestic calendar with over 110 boats—our largest RaceSense-equipped fleet to date. The system handled the scale without friction, validating its scalability across large one-design classes.
Throughout January, RaceSense ran in parallel at events across Florida including the Sid Doren Memorial (Etchells), VX/One Winter Series, M32 Winter Series, and the J/70 Davis Island Winter Series. These events weren’t isolated cases—they’re part of a broader trajectory that started back in 2023, when RaceSense first appeared on the scene. Since then, it’s been a steady climb: from early trials and small fleets to widespread adoption across major classes. More and more fleets are not just experimenting with the system—they’re relying on it. The events in January were just the latest proof of that shift.
February brought momentum. The RaceSense calendar grew rapidly with events across multiple classes. The Etchells Florida State Champs and Midwinters confirmed the class’s commitment to smarter race management.
In the Scows world, the Melges MC Winter Series, E Scow WS2, and Thistle Midwinters West all ran with RaceSense onboard.In parallel, the Inspire Waszp event in Sydney highlighted RaceSense in action within fast, youth-oriented foiling classes—part of our ongoing collaboration with SailGP Inspire, now in its third year.
And in Europe, RaceSense was on the water in Cascais and Monaco, supporting the Dragon Cascais and the J/70 class, with the Primo Cup held at the Yacht Club de Monaco and the J/70 Portugal Winter Series hosted by Sail Cascais.
But the most significant development of the quarter came from the J/70 Class. After debuting with RaceSense at the 2024 Worlds in Palma, the class announced it would use the system at all major events in 2025. The J/70 Portugal Winter Series and Midwinters in Florida were the first real-world validations of that shift: dozens of high-level teams, multiple races, no general recalls.
Feedback from sailors and race officers has been direct: “We don’t go back.” RaceSense has reduced general recalls dramatically, improved accountability, and simplified execution for race committees. In the words of Erik Shampain, “Everyone has the green or red light at go. It just makes it simple.”
March continued the pattern. Major national-level regattas like the J/24 Midwinters, M14 and M15 Midwinters, and Etchells US Nationals ran with full RaceSense setups. The Lightning Winter Championships and E Scow WS 3showed that even traditionalist fleets are increasingly open to digital systems—especially when the result is cleaner starts and more accurate finishes.
We also supported hybrid or foiling-centric events like POD Regatta and Foiling Week, reinforcing that RaceSense isn’t limited by class type or sailing style.
The first GL52 event in Pensacola closed out the quarter, adding another layer to the mix, and proving that RaceSense can deliver at the high-performance end of the sport as well.
Looking back on Q1, the number of events—35 and counting—is impressive. But what really matters is the range.
In the Midwest, scow fleets ran entire series with RaceSense. No drama. No confusion on the line. Just fast racing with clean starts and no general recalls. These weren’t showcase events. They were local, grassroots regattas where organizers decided RaceSense wasn’t an add-on anymore—it was the system.
Meanwhile, halfway around the world, it was the same story on a much bigger stage. The Etchells Worlds, the J/70 Midwinters, the US Nationals—races that carry weight, pressure, and attention—ran with RaceSense at the core. Not in the background. Not as a test. As the system.
And this wasn’t just confined to one region. RaceSense was on the water in Melbourne, Sydney, Cascais, Monaco, and across every corner of the Florida winter calendar. It’s not spreading—it’s already there.
The diversity of fleets says even more. From foiling Waszps to classic Lightnings. From fast, light Melges 15s to grand prix GL52s. From youth development programs to some of the hardest one-design fleets on the planet. Different formats. Different conditions. Same system.
Not long ago, RaceSense was the new idea people weren’t sure about. Now? It’s the piece they expect to see on the dock before the first warning signal.
This isn’t a test phase. It’s not a pitch.
RaceSense isn’t one option among many.
It’s how races are run in 2025 and beyond.
