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CHM Revolutionaries: America's Cup Comes to San Francisco- Technology Under Sail

406 views · Published 17 February 2016 · 53:21 · Indexed 21 October 2026

Channel: Computer History Museum · 2016 · Science & Technology

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This is an episode of REVOLUTIONARIES, a co-production of the Computer History Museum and KQED television, with major sponsorship by Intel. Recorded: August 27, 2013. Broadcast date: January 21, 2014

This was the 2013 "Summer of Racing" with some of the most sophisticated technology ever deployed in both America’s Cup racing and for the televised coverage of the race itself. The Museum was excited to host this special panel just before the America’s Cup finals in September. Our guests include Tom Ehman, Vice Commodore of the Golden Gate Yacht Club and Executive Director, America’s Cup Properties, Jimmy Spithill, Helmsman and Skipper of Oracle Team USA Racing, and the man behind the technology driving the race, Stan Honey, Director of Technology, America's Cup Event Authority.

We learned about the challenges inherent in televising sailing and how those challenges were overcome with Stan Honey and his "A-Team." Honey, who invented the virtual first-down line for the NFL and strike-zone tracking for MLB (winning Emmys for both), talked about the augmented reality system he created for sailing, LiveLine, which helps distinguish who is in the lead, between-boat distances and other data to help viewers more easily follow the competition.

We learned more about the technology deployed in the command center, the boats and on board the helicopters following the boats. Ehman and Spithill are both America's Cup veterans and brought their own unique perspectives to the conversation.

John Hollar was our intrepid moderator and up for the challenge of navigating an exciting and educational conversation with some world-class sailors. 

Watch the full lecture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1DCs...

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