PYEWACKET BREAKS MAC RACE RECORD - See the Press Release

See Pictures of the Pyewacket approaching the finish.

FlagShip Integration Services, Inc. is Providing Computer Networking and Race Tracking for the 2002 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac
As done for last year's race, the computer networking required providing Internet access, e-mail and printing for the race committee, sponsors and participants of the 2002 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is being provided by FlagShip Integration Services, Inc.

In addition, FlagShip is providing the data processing and Website hosting for the GPS tracking of the participants in the race. FlagShip's involvement in the race extends beyond computer networking, as two of the boats in this and previous Mac races have FlagShip skippers: Accord (Woody Hansmann) and Ozymandias IV (Kim Flagstad - see photo).

Internet Facilities

The networks are in two locations — at the Monroe Station of the Chicago Yacht Club and in the finishing tent on Mackinac Island.

At the Chicago Yacht Club, Cisco Systems wireless communications facilities are used to allow placement of FlagShip-provided workstations and printers in the most favorable locations. At the Island, all of the network facilities are located in the finish tent.

At both the Chicago and the Mackinac stations, besides having access to the supplied workstations, participants are able to connect their personal laptops to the network and gain Internet, e-mail and printing capabilities. Ethernet connectivity, automatic network address assignment, simple instructions and on-site help make this an easy task.

From a technical perspective, Internet access speeds are enhanced by the use of Internet caching facilities; individual workstations are protected from outside access over the Internet by the use of proxy facilities, and a filter blocks inappropriate websites.

Equipment in use is primarily from Cisco Systems, Compaq and Hewlett-Packard. Server software providing proxy/cache, address assignment and filtering is Border Manager from Novell. Workstation software is Windows 2000 from Microsoft.

New this year is FlagShip's role in providing the Race Tracking function. Description of the systems, platforms and procedures for producing the Race Tracking output can be found here.