Birkebeiner to use IPICO Sports Timing System

Thu, Dec  18, 2008 - By Birkie

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, USA – Peak Timing Systems and PrimeTime Timing announce their partnership with IPICO Sports for the 2009 American Birkebeiner.  IPICO Sports technology will be used as the official timing system for the 2009 American Birkebeiner.    The IPICO Sports turnkey timing system will allow for streamlined chip pickup at registration, on course splits and immediate race results at the finish line.  Peak Timing and PrimeTime are excited to collaborate with IPICO Sports on this event and to use the latest technologies to create an exceptional event experience for both participants and spectators.

“We’re very pleased with this partnership; IPICO Sports continues to provide the best passive sports timing system on the market.  With the American Birkebeiner being the largest ski race in North American this will be a great way to showcase how IPICO Sports’ streamlined system can improve efficiency in both the distributing of some 7,000 chips and straps during the registration process and the offering of real-time on course split data” said Greg Blasko of Peak Timing Systems.

IPICO Sports’ next-generation tracking and timing solutions are used in the global active sports and wellness markets.   "This event will showcase the IPICO Sports system, and its application in the Nordic skiing community.  We're eager to show off the capabilities of the system in this market," said Sean Gavigan, owner of PrimeTime Timing.  "IPICO Sports has already established itself in other markets as an ideal timing solution, which is what we aim to accomplish in this market with this event."  The IPICO Sports system is currently prominent in other active sports markets, such as running, where it is used at races including the Bolder Boulder 10k in Colorado, the largest timed race in the United States.

"The ability to easily integrate all aspects of our timing equipment to use this system was a major factor in this decision.  The simple integration of our scoreboard displays and FinishLynx photofinish systems with the IPICO system will make for an extremely robust timing solution," said Gavigan.  In addition to the IPICO Sports system, Peak Timing and PrimeTime will utilize FinishLynx digital video at the finish line including both front and side angle cameras.  Results will be displayed live on a Daktronics display to allow spectators immediate access to results.  Participants will also be able to receive their custom individual receipt results within seconds of finishing the race.

“We’re excited to be working with Peak Timing Systems and Prime Time Timing,” states Philip Lockwood, IPICO Sports. “Given the size and prestige of the American Birkebeiner, we’re looking forward to providing a great experience for everyone involved. Furthermore, we’re looking forward to demonstrating our capabilities in the cross country skiing world - a very important market for us.”