Three Dunedin tech firms involved
DUNEDIN should be proud of its involvement in the America’s Cup.
Three Dunedin tech companies were involved in the cup — Bison Group, Igtimi and Animation Research Ltd (ARL), which was first involved in the event in 1992.
The Dunedin City Council yesterday agreed to send letters of congratulations to ARL chief executive Ian Taylor and former Dunedin man Russell Coutts, who is America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) chief executive, recognising their involvement in the cup.
ARL project manager John Rendall said from Bermuda, where he has been based for almost seven weeks, Dunedin should be proud of its involvement in the cup.
‘‘It’s really cool and I really hope it stays that way,’’ Mr Rendall said.
He believed the biggest suc cess story for New Zealand was the way it showcased how the country could compete globally using cutting edge technology, which included Team New Zealand’s boat building.
‘‘I think that’s bigger . . . than winning the cup itself.’’
He hoped the cup would not only encourage young people to sail but also to become engineers and software developers.
After being involved in four cups, he believed the Bermuda event was the ‘‘greatest’’ he had been involved in and a ‘‘notch’’ above the rest.
Much of this came down to the leadership of Sir Russell Coutts, who learnt to sail on Otago Harbour.
‘‘He’s a really great guy and he’s done a very good job of creating a wonderful event here.
‘‘So I think we should all be proud of that.’’
He believed Team NZ could learn a lot from Bermuda when it came to hosting the cup in Auckland.
Working for ACEA put him in a little bit of a difficult position when it came to openly supporting Team NZ, but it became a lot harder for him and other New Zealanders working for the cup’s host to hide their true colours as the regatta came to a close.
ARL senior developer Paul Sharp, also based in Bermuda for the cup, said things had changed immeasurably since he became involved in in 1992.
Back then, they developed graphics using a computer the size of a small fridge.
‘‘Nowadays I am doing it on a laptop,’’ Mr Sharp said.
He was thrilled to once again be involved in such a ‘‘special event’’ for what was now the eighth time.
It was a ‘‘great relief’’ when Team NZ finally banished the ghosts of San Francisco in beating Oracle yesterday, he said.
ARL’s technology at the cup included virtual eye and 360degree camera footage, a mobile application used by teams for postrace analysis, and a simulator which enabled people at the cup village to try ‘‘sailing’’ a yacht.
Bison Group’s container scales have been used by ACEA and Team New Zealand.
Igtimi’s GPS tracking system, called YachtBot, was used on nearly 40 boats operated by ACEA and helped course marshals position buoys.
Igtimi founder and director Brent Russell said the future of the Dunedin firm’s involvement in the event would not be known until Team NZ revealed its plans for hosting it.
He would love for Dunedin firms to stay involved, but it was ‘‘too hard to tell’’ at this stage what would happen.
At a council meeting yesterday, Deputy Mayor Chris Staynes moved the council send letters of congratulation to Sir Russell and Mr Taylor.
Mr Staynes said the letter would thank and congratulate the pair for their efforts.
He also suggested ‘‘encouraging Team New Zealand to bring the cup down here when they return’’.
The motion was enthusiastically endorsed by councillors.