Cartography and Geography

Chicago Map Society:  Mapping Sailboat Races in Real Time

Thursday, May 15
Reception: 5:30 pm; Program: 6:00 pm

Speaker: Kim Flagstad, FIS Tracking Services, LLC

Sailboat races are adrenaline-producing occasions for the crew, but once a boat disappears over the horizon, spectators have been left in the dark until a boat comes within sight of the finish, hundreds of miles away. Now, through an exciting new application of GPS and webbased tracking displays, folks on shore can view an entire race in real time. The FlagShip Race Tracking system has mapped the Chicago-Mackinac races since 2005, as well as many other renowned races. Kim Flagstad, president of FIS Tracking Services, will explain the underlying tracking technology and demonstrate the kinds of animated maps produced.

Admission is free. A $5 donation is requested from non-members of the Chicago Map Society.

For information call (312) 255-3569.

The Newberry Library gratefully acknowledges the National Endowment for the Humanities and Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Haffner for their generous support of public programming. Major funding is also provided by Richard and Barbara Franke, the MacLean-Fogg Family, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew W. McGhee, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McNally, and the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

Public Programs Home

The Newberry Library
Center for Public Programs
60 West Walton Street
Chicago, IL 60610-7324

telephone: (312) 255-3700
fax: (312) 255-3680
e-mail: programs@newberry.org