Vakaros has been recognised by World Sailing with the 2025 World Sailing Technology Award, presented this week at the Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dublin. The award highlights innovation that makes sailing safer, fairer, and more accessible — and in this case, celebrates the rapid adoption of RaceSense, Vakaros’ advanced race-management and positioning technology.
Innovation in sailing instruments and race technology
RaceSense combines high-accuracy GNSS positioning with synchronised timing to automate start sequences, track OCS boats, and deliver real-time race data to sailors and race officials. Since its launch, it has been adopted by over 80 classes, from Optimists to TP52s, demonstrating how cutting-edge sailing instruments and connected race technology can now be used throughout the sport — not just at the elite level.
As Vakaros co-founder Todd Wilson explained at the ceremony:
“We were inspired by the technology being developed in the America’s Cup and SailGP, and we wanted to make something that could be used across the sport, not just at the top.”
Precision and performance in modern sailing instruments
The recognition from World Sailing reinforces Vakaros’ position as one of the leading innovators in sailing instrumentation. The award-winning RaceSense platform builds directly on the advanced hardware and software technology within the Vakaros Atlas 2 and Vakaros Edge units.
Using the same high-precision GNSS, motion sensors, and wireless connectivity found in these devices, RaceSense adds an additional layer of functionality for race committees and organisers — providing automated start sequences, OCS detection, and real-time positional data.
While RaceSense itself is sold directly by Vakaros to dinghy classes and event organisers, we at Upffront supply the Atlas 2 and Edge sailing instruments that make the system possible.
• Vakaros Atlas 2 – A high-performance sailing instrument featuring multi-constellation GNSS, advanced inertial sensors, and a custom display engine for ultra-precise speed, heel, and wind calculations.
• Vakaros Edge – A compact and accessible unit that brings Vakaros’ data quality, wireless connectivity, and intuitive interface to a broader range of sailors.
Both devices benefit from continuous firmware updates and represent the same engineering excellence that underpins RaceSense.
Congratulations to Vakaros
The World Sailing Technology Award is a well-deserved recognition of Vakaros’ technical leadership and its contribution to making performance data more accessible to sailors worldwide.
At Upffront, we’re proud to offer Vakaros sailing instruments to our customers — equipment that represents the same focus on precision, reliability, and innovation recognised by World Sailing.
If you have any questions about Vakaros sailing instruments, please feel free to contact us or explore the Vakaros Atlas 2 and Vakaros Edge on Upffront by clicking below;
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Vakaros wins the 2025 World Sailing Technology Award