Spokane, WA—After deciding to use computer chip timing for the first time in Bloomsday’s 30-year history, the Lilac Bloomsday Association recently selected the Winning Time Company of Mantova, Italy as the official timing company for this year’s run. The Winning Time system will allow participants to get a more accurate time without as much crowding as they may have experienced in the past.
Winning Time has been timing road races, triathlons, cycling and nordic skiing events since 1995. The chip timing technology Winning Time employs allows all participants to be timed from when they cross the starting line to when they cross the finish, a remarkable achievement in an event as large as Bloomsday.
“We’re really excited about the added value Winning Time’s system will give our participants,” said Don Kardong, Bloomsday Race Director. “We selected Winning Time because of their extensive background in timing major events, and we think the result will be a big improvement in the timing information Bloomsday participants receive.”
The Winning Time chip works around the TIRIS RFID (radio frequency identification) technology developed by Texas Instruments. The chip, which is imbedded in a plastic covering and strapped to the ankle of the participant, is weatherproof and durable. The chip transmits a code to antenna mats as the participant crosses the starting and finishing lines. A controller box is connected to the mats which receives and interprets the information. This technology allows a participant’s time to be taken with accuracy down to 60 milliseconds.
More information on the Winning Time system is available at www.winningtime.com.
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