Virtual Worlds

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examples of Virtual SpectatorRaceviewer...3-D Models, race paths, and weather layer

The virtual world that I explored was Volvo’s Virtual Spectator. Virtual Spectator’s Volvo Ocean Race raceviewer allows fans to follow the offshore legs of the Volvo Ocean Yacht Race using, “the most consummate, all-round sailing application that anyone has ever seen” according to the software producer. It is an interactive, 3-D,virtual world that uses GIS technologies like layering of weather over race paths helping to better describe the progression of the Volvo Yacht race.

This is how the software is described:
“This application is a Viewer that lets you watch the entire 2005 -2006 Volvo Ocean Race live on your PC. During the race, data from each yacht is downloaded over the Internet and displayed on a realistic 3D virtual globe, showing you where the competitors are at the moment, where they've been since leaving port, who's leading and other information. You can watch the race right up close, even from the decks of the yachts, or for a broader perspective on the race, you can switch to a satellite view showing the whole earth.
In addition to yacht positions, weather data is downloaded so you can see current weather conditions , including wind, pressure, temperature and clouds. Also, detailed statistics and measurements are available for each yacht - heading, VMG, speed over ground, speed over water, distance to finish, local wind speed and direction, and many more.”

CHECK OUT VIRTUAL SPECTATOR AT THIS LINK:
http://www.virtualspectator.com/index2.html

I downloaded the software but it was for the 2005-2006 race and none of the menus or buttons worked. I think the link to the data must have been broken or they might be working on the 2007-2008 version and stopped supporting the 2005-2006 version. But I did find some example images and screen shots online at their website.
Virtual Spectator also makes 3-D models of golf greens that show how golf balls will react when landing on a green. They make 3-D models of NASCAR and Indy Car race tracks. They also make 3-D models of rugby pitches and soccer fields. I have included some images of the various applications of Virtual Spectator Yacht Raceviewer at the top of the blog.
What I found most interesting was that the raceviewer allowed a user to add layers of data having to do with weather conditions and climatological data such as isobars of pressure, current radar images, precipitation totals and others. You could then track the yacht racers paths and see what kind of weather they might have to interact with ahead in the race.