The Best Possible Results

7 May 2013Tokoni A, Hope ’13.

One of things that make the Brentwood Regatta so successful is how quickly the results of the races get released. Minutes after each race is done, the times are tweeted for everyone to see. This is all made possible by the fast, efficient and tech-savvy finish line team and their student helpers.

Thanks to years of experience, it only takes the IT team, led by Mr Pavitt, three days to set up the finish line tent, computers and the other necessary equipment involved in measuring exact race results. The key to the efficiency of the finish line tent is harmony- the team in the tent is connected via computer and handheld transceiver to a corresponding group of people at the start docks as well as the boat drivers, who time the races.

Harmony exists within the tent as well, with student helpers each doing a specific job. One student records the end of every race, so that there is video proof of the results. Another student watches the finish line through binoculars, calling out the order of boats that cross the line (each boat is marked with a number on their bow). Next to them, a student playing a more administrative role writes this down and takes it to the member of the team who puts the results into the computer, where they will be printed and tweeted out for the public to see. Overseeing all of this are umpires, staff, and Mr. Miller, who is the Director of the IT department.

Along with the rapid postings of the results, the Regatta also has live video for every race. That way, if a person cannot see a race in person, they can still watch it live on their phone.

The Brentwood Regatta has been a long-running tradition, but that does not mean that it has failed to be innovative and current. Through the years, we have been able to incorporate modern technology to make the experience of the Regatta even better. It will be interesting to see what changes will further improve it in the future!

See you at the 44th Regatta in April 2014! The timing will be perfect.

Tokoni A, Hope ’13.

Where Students Choose To Be