TackTracker can track and play races Live - as they happen.   Parents and friends can watch the progress of the race from the shore or their home and see where every competitor is and how well they are going.

There are two aspects to live tracking:

1.   Recording the Race Live

2.   Playing the Race Live

Recording a Live Race

To record a race live, internet capable transmitting GPS devices are needed.  Or you can use a smart-phone!  The TackTracker apps for iOS and for Android devices both are able to turn your device into a live tracker.

If you don't want to use a smart-phone, TackTracker supports a range of dedicated live tracking devices, such as the Meitrack MT90G.  Theses devices all require a SIM card to connect to the mobile phone/cellular network. 

Devices are connected to the TackTracker Cloud Server at tacktracker.com/cloud/profile/devices. You need to be logged in to access this page.

To create a live race, you must create a race in TackTracker using the Race Editor and publish your race to the TackTracker Cloud.  You don't need to do anything special to make this a live race: but for a live race, the start time will normally be in the future when you publish the race.  You also publish the race with a course defined, but no tracks.  Tracks are added live by the TackTracker Cloud system.

Viewing a Live Race

All TackTracker players are able to view races live.   To play a race live, simply view the Race from the TackTracker Cloud, or the Cloud Races tab.  (A race loaded from the Library Tab will not play live).

Live Races are indicated by a red 'Live!' badge.  Races that are scheduled but have not yet started are indicated by a  'clock' badge.

Live and scheduled races in the Web Player:

When your race is live an orange "Go Live" indicator will be displayed at the right end of the Timeline.  Click this to change to live tracking mode.

When playing a race live, the play speed will automatically drop to 1x.  TackTracker will automatically download race updates as required, so that play will continue indefinitely. 

During the Race

When recording a live race, sometimes the race start will be postponed due to lack of wind or a recall.  If this happens, you will need to postpone the race, or update the Start Time.  Do this in the Race Editor and re-publish your race again.  

If you have a Club Regatta license, you can use the Live Race Management Tools to perform these tasks with a single click.

 

After the Race

If you view a race after it has ended, it will replay normally as with any pre-recorded race. Competitors who were carrying logging trackers can upload their tracks regardless of whether it was recorded live.

Some post-processing of the live race data may be desired.   For example, the live "race" may actually be defined to cover an entire race session in which several back-back races were sailed.

In this case, the data from the live race session can be converted to multiple races as follows.  (A Club Regatta or Logged Tracking license is needed):

1. Download and view the Live Race from the Cloud Races tab

2. Open the Race Editor and select the Tracks Tab

3. Use the Track Tools to copy the tracks to the Track Loader

•     Check the "Show Track Tools" checkbox

•     Click "Copy All" to copy all tracks to the Track Loader

4. In the Track Loader, Click "Add Races" and define your back-back races as usual.