FourthCape Blog

Thoughts and things from FourthCape HQ

Keeping Track – UtraSwim 33.3

Safety is paramount in open water swim events, and new technology is creating extra layers of security for event organisers to deploy. In development for UltraSwim 33.3, SwimTelligence™ adds realtime high precision tracking of swimmers and safety assets, as well as adding of course a great way for friends and...

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Solent Super Series 2024 – Round 2 – Gosport

With a very light and variable wind forecasted for the second round of the Solent Super Series things were looking very tricky this past weekend for competitors and Race Committee alike. Island Sailing Club Race Officer Rich Palmer elected to delay racing by 2 hours on Saturday morning allowing tidal...

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Introducing the Next Generation: MarkSetBot Version 5

We are thrilled to announce the launch of, an exciting advancement that reflects our dedication to innovation, excellence and reliability. MarkSetBot v5 is packed with new enhancements designed to elevate your race-day experience, boost on-water performance, and minimize ongoing maintenance. Simple, Fast, Reliable and Precise: MarkSetBot Version 5 Visually, MarkSetBot...

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Solent Super Series 2024 – Round 1 – Cowes

The first round of the 2024 Solent Super Series was contested this past weekend in the central Solent with competitors racing off the Island Sailing Club’s line. A mixture of SunFasts, a JPK 1030 and Dehler 30 set off to the West in 8 to 18kts of breeze on Saturday...

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BBC News – Cornwall sailing week to use robot race markers

Falmouth Sailing Week is set to employ the help of robotic floats designed to better protect marine habitats than standard buoys, Cornwall Council has confirmed. The doughnut-shaped markers, known as MarkSetBots, were battery-powered and would appear to move around by themselves, officials said. They used GPS to navigate their surroundings...

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RYA Selects MarkSetBot

The RYA, in collaboration with the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, is extending its use of robotic race mark technology at national and high-level events throughout the 2024 season. With backing from UK Sport’s National Events Programme, the race marks positioning technology from MarkSetBot will help to run accurate and precise race courses with...

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Seahorse Magazine – Toe Management

Article published in the June ’24 edition of Seahorse Magazine When Michel Desjoyeaux appeared at the start of the 2008 Vendée Globe with a remote string-driven system to adjust the toe-in (or out) on Foncia’s twin-rudders it set people thinking… then he won the race The origins of FourthCape’s current...

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Royal Ocean Racing Club – Griffin24 Selection

“FourthCape, a Cowes based sailing project management company headed by Charles Darbyshire, are managing the Griffin training and selection weekends.” The Royal Ocean Racing Club has supported youth sailing since 1947. This season, the Griffin24 Project has been embraced by 300 youth sailors from all over the world applying for...

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Super Series 2023 – Round 4, Hamble

Saturday [9th Dec] saw the final round of the Sea Ventures Super Series, points were tight on the overall leader board between three of the top Sun Fast 3300 teams: Kestrel, GameOn and Fastrak. With a very lively WSW/Westerly wind and heavy rain forecast, starting and racing in Southampton Water...

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