Live tracking for a sailing race

Which sailing race do you mean? Tell me the race name (or the boats, location, and date), and I’ll find its live tracker.

If you’re looking for a general directory, RaceSense lists current and upcoming tracked regattas. (racesense.vakaros.com)

I can't tell whether you want to follow a race that's already underway or set up tracking for your own event, so here's both.

Following a race live
Many events now publish a live map. For example, the Golden Globe Race 2026 has an official tracker, though its map updates positions every four hours, so it's not truly real-time. Tall Ships Races 2026 boats carry satellite transponders, and their viewer updates hourly. For a specific regatta, check the event's website or the organizer's social media for a link.

Setting up tracking for your own race

• Phone-based, no hardware: eStela lets participants simply open the app and start tracking. SailingMetrics has a shared-link model where a Share watch link button generates a link anyone can open to follow the race live, without needing an account. SailAlign also runs on phones, and live position sharing needs a data connection; saved points can upload after a temporary connection loss.
• Dedicated trackers: Sailchart provides trackers for live tracking, and SAILWRLD offers centimeter-grade positions streamed in real time from lightweight onboard trackers built for small dinghies. TackTracker recommends a dedicated device, citing the Meitrack P99L which is a rugged and water resistant 4G live tracker with a large battery.
• Full race management: Kwindoo provides real-time tracking, virtual race course mapping, emergency communication, and post-race analysis. Sailteck's compass system shares position to the committee boat over radio, using a proprietary 2Nm radio which is free to use.

Practical tips

• Ask each sailor to keep their phone powered and location services on. Tracking can continue offline, but remote viewers only see positions after they upload.
• Share a join code or QR code with sailors and a watch link with spectators. Check that the link works before race day.
• Decide whether competitors' positions should be public. Some apps, like SailingMetrics, let each sailor choose whether to share or track privately.

If you tell me the class or fleet size, whether it's a dinghy or offshore race, and your budget, I can narrow this to one or two options. If you meant a specific race, tell me its name.

Live tracking for sailing races has evolved significantly, utilizing a mix of dedicated hardware trackers, smartphone apps, and AIS (Automatic Identification System) technology to provide real-time visibility for spectators and race committees.

Depending on whether you are a spectator looking to follow a race or an organizer wanting to set up tracking, here are the most common ways to access or implement live tracking:

For Spectators: How to Follow a Race

• Official Event Websites: Major professional sailing events (such as SailGP, The Ocean Race, and the Golden Globe Race) almost always provide a dedicated "Live Tracker" page on their official websites. These often include real-time leaderboards, speed data, and sometimes even augmented reality (AR) overlays.
• Dedicated Apps: Events like SailGP have their own apps that provide live streams, onboard data, and race statistics directly to your mobile device.
• General Tracking Platforms: Platforms like MarineTraffic are excellent for general situational awareness, as they use AIS data to track vessels globally. For specific regattas, you may find tracking provided through specialized services like Kwindoo, eStela, or MetaSail, which host live maps for various club and offshore events.

For Race Organizers: How to Set Up Tracking

If you are looking to set up live tracking for your own sailing club or event, the technology used depends on the scale of the race:

• Smartphone-Based Tracking: For club-level or smaller regattas, smartphone-based solutions are the most cost-effective. Apps like Kwindoo, MetaSail, and Regatta Tracker allow you to use competitors' phones as GPS beacons to broadcast positions in real-time to a central dashboard.
• Dedicated GPS Transponders: For offshore or high-profile events where reliability is critical, organizers often use dedicated satellite or cellular trackers (such as those from YB Tracking). These devices are rugged, waterproof, and ensure consistent data transmission even in remote areas where mobile coverage is poor.
• AIS (Automatic Identification System): Often used in larger yacht racing, AIS transponders broadcast a boat’s identity, position, speed, and heading via VHF radio. While very effective, it requires participating boats to have appropriate equipment installed.

Summary of Popular Platforms

| YB Tracking | Offshore/Major Races | Professional-grade satellite tracking; highly reliable. |
| MetaSail | Club/Inshore Regattas | Features live video synchronization and WhatsApp reporting. |
| RaceQs | Debriefs/Replay | Excellent for 3D race visualization after the event. |
| MarineTraffic | General Awareness | Broad vessel tracking using AIS. |

Recommendation: If you are trying to track a specific race, check the "Notice of Race" or the event's official website first; they will typically link to the specific platform they are using for that event. If you are an organizer, consider your budget and the scale of your fleet—smartphone apps are usually sufficient for inshore dinghy racing, while satellite trackers are the industry standard for offshore events.

Which race do you want to follow? Send me the race or event name (and, if you know it, the date), and I can point you to its tracker.

If you’re looking for a tracker directory, Kwindoo lists live and upcoming regattas ¹. TracTrac and SailRacer also host live tracking and replays for events they cover ²³.