Centimeter Accuracy, Global Trust — Velocitek RTK at the Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup
The 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup brought together 20 teams from 12 countries for five days of world-class one-design racing. Over the course of 12 races, competitors spoke six different languages on the docks and across the water. But when it came to starting the races, there was no confusion: every team trusted the fairness and accuracy of the Velocitek RTK race management system.
RTK is a Game-Changer—But Don’t Just Take Our Word for It
See-All Starting Technology: How It Changes Racing from Both Sides of the Line
How does racing change when the Race Committee can see everything? Here we discuss our experience from both sides of the starting line—as a sailor playing the “exposed or covered” game, as a race committee member, and as a developer of Velocitek’s RTK GPS technology. With see-all accuracy and real-time data, automated starting systems are eliminating ambiguity and raising the bar for fairness, discipline, and skill. Accuracy matters.
The Quest for Zero Observable Errors in Automated Starting Systems
Automated start systems only work if sailors trust the calls. In this post, we break down how GPS accuracy—measured by metrics like CEP50—directly affects fairness on the line. We also share the data behind our RTK Puck and why centimeter-level precision is the key to eliminating general recalls and questionable OCS decisions. Read on...
The Evolution of Starting Systems in Sailboat Racing: What Comes Next?
Race management is evolving, and Velocitek is leading the way. Our RTK GPS system brings America’s Cup-level accuracy to the broader racing community. See how the new, new thing in race management is changing the game.
Reflecting on SLF 2025: Innovation and the Future of Race Management
SLF 2025 brought together sailing leaders to discuss the future of race management. Our panel explored how RTK GPS is transforming the sport—enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and fairness for race committees and competitors alike. Read our event highlights and watch the full discussion to see how technology is shaping the next generation of sailing.
Velocitek at the US Sailing Leadership Forum 2025
Join us at the 2025 US Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado, California February 6-8! Velocitek founder and CEO Alec Stewart will be on a panel with Stan Honey, Lynn Lynch, Tom Duggan, and moderator Beau Vrolyk to discuss how RTK accuracy enables top race organizers to adopt automation, why accuracy is critical for fair starts, and how your race committee can implement cutting-edge technology. Can't make it to SLF? Follow this space for more.
The Future of Race Management: Introducing the Velocitek RTK Puck
Introducing the Velocitek RTK Puck, our stern mounted RTK GPS receiver – combining pingless distance to start, auto-synchronized time to start, position, and heading with unprecedented accuracy. The result is accurate, fair, and reliable OCS calls. The RTK Puck redefines race management. Developed over two years, it harnesses Velocitek’s proven RTK system, trusted by the world’s top Race Committees.
Supporting Sailing for All: DSC’s Auction for new ProStarts
April is Earth Month
At Velocitek we take sustainability seriously. Learn more!
Luck of the Irish contest results are in!
Our Luck of the Irish contest is over and the winner has a 14 year old ProStart from the very first batch ever made!
ICYMI: Join our Luck of the Irish contest before it's too late!
We're giving away a new ProStart to whoever can produce photographic evidence of the oldest ProStart in the wild. Learn more...
Better Distance to Line Measurements with the Bow Offset on the Velocitek ProStart
Learn how to get more out of the ProStart with the bow offset feature, enabling the ProStart to calculate the position of your bow with its superior magnetic compass.
Ping Better. Start Better.
What's the best way to ping the line with a ProStart? What about on a reaching start? What if the signal boat is the left end and the pin is the right end? Learn more...
A Better Electronic Compass
.vtk converter
Convert your VTK data to CSV or GPX using our new online converter application.
Velocitek Victory List
The proof is on the podium.
ProStart: How it's Made (part 2)
Check out how the ProStart goes together!
ProStart: How It's Made
Check out how we use our Universal Robot UR5 collaborative robot to assemble a batch of ProStart front housings in 27 seconds.
SpeedPuck: How it's made
Learn how the SpeedPuck is assembled in 119 seconds.
Velocitek Victory List
As a manufacturer of racing equipment, we can be judged by the success of our customers on race day. Our customers have had an exceptional 2022, and it's not over yet. Thank you to all of the outstanding sailors who put their trust in our products! For us, there is no greater honor.
SHIFT Mode
ProStart Firmware v40
ProStart firmware version 40 is out. This firmware version adds a fully user configurable Bonus Screen. Learn more!
Line Square To
Did you know the new ProStart calculates the magnetic bearing the starting line is square to? It does, press MODE and MAX simultaneously!
Automatic Declination Look Up
Learn about the automatic declination look up feature on the all new Velocitek ProStart with firmware version 35.
What is a VTK File?
Learn more about VTK files, the binary file format we developed to create the compact, data rich files logging the data on your Velocitek ProStart and SpeedPuck.
ProStart firmware v35
Revised January 20, 2022 ProStart firmware version 35 is out. Learn about the new options and features in the latest ProStart firmware release.
ProStart Shift Tracking
Learn about the automatic shift tracking feature on the all new Velocitek ProStart.
ProStart firmware v31
ProStart firmware v31 is out. Learn about the new options and features in the latest ProStart firmware release.
ProStart Pacing Guides
Learn about an exciting new feature of the Velocitek ProStart, the start line Pacing Guides. In the final two minutes of the countdown the bar graph segments will display Pacing Guides, giving you an indication of whether you are on track to be early or late to the line given your current boat speed and course.
ProStart firmware v27
ProStart firmware v27 is out. Learn about the new options and features in the latest ProStart firmware release.
Better materials. Better ProStart.
Learn more about what goes into the new ProStart from Velocitek founder and CEO, Alec Stewart.
John Mollicone wins J24 Midwinters
We talked to John Mollicone after his team won the 2021 J/24 Midwinters.
