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<p>By Greg Bartlett</p>

Sports fans around the world want the most precise, up-to-date information on their sport. GPS tracking systems make tracking anything or anyone a quick and simple process, providing sporting officials and fans with excellent observation data. Inside information that about forty years ago would have been impossible to provide fans has become a reality in the twenty-first century through GPS tracking systems.

GPS tracking systems, available since 1982, are used to locate persons or possessions anywhere in the world, tracking their locations, movements, and speed over a period of time. These systems use the United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS), which is a navigation system that grew out of the technology of World War II and is run by the United States Air Force.

The GPS is based on a network of satellites that communicate with a GPS receiver through a specific radio frequency. Since it has been made available for anyone to use today, many civilians use GPS for navigational purposes, including traveling for work-related or personal business or even vacationing with family. GPS can also be used for tracking or monitoring persons or objects – such as racing sailboats. A GPS tracking system is designed exclusively to monitor persons or things and is not intended for navigation.

These systems have, since the 1980′s, been used for many practical purposes, including monitoring prisoners on parole, locating stolen vehicles or equipment, or rescuing a lost pet. With the many adventures that this life holds, it may be wise to prepare ahead with a GPS tracking system that will help simplify any search or rescue party on a mission or help enhance the experience of race fans around the world GPS tracking systems can be a great tool for sporting fans!

For the first time since the Pure Michigan Bayview Mackinac Race began in 1915, on July 25, 2009 sailboat fans are going to be able to monitor the race of 250 sailboats, taking their set course from Port Huron to Mackinac Island. This is being made possible by GPS tracking devices, which will be put on each racer’s boat. GPS tracking will be able to monitor each sailboats location and speed but will ultimately be able to assist in determining the official winner.

Fans around the world will be able to track the sailboats throughout this race via the state’s website. This enhancement to fans’ experience of this world-famous fresh water sailing race would not be possible without GPS tracking.