Széchenyi Innovation on Water: Real-Time Boat Tracking at the Kékszalag

Unprecedented streaming numbers, extreme wind conditions, and outstanding sportsmanship marked this year’s 57th Kékszalag Raiffeisen Grand Prix, making it one of the most memorable sailing events in the history of Lake Balaton. The winning team, MLS Raiffeisen Fifty-Fifty, completed the course in just 4 hours and 24 minutes—beating their previous record by over 40 minutes—while many other teams demonstrated technical excellence and heroic perseverance.

The boat tracking system, developed by the Digital Development Center of Széchenyi István University and operated by Magyar Telekom, provided reliable, real-time data on the boats’ movements throughout the event. Installed on hundreds of boats, the system functioned seamlessly during the entire race, delivering accurate position and speed data to competitors, organizers, and viewers alike.

More than 120,000 people followed the live coverage via kekszalag.hu, the Telekom Live YouTube channel, and national television channels. The technical standard was further elevated by drone and motorboat footage, onboard cameras, and expert commentary.

Education also played a key role: students of Széchenyi István University actively participated in the development and operation of the tracking system, gaining hands-on experience in designing and managing real-world digital applications.

“The system consistently supported digital tracking and live broadcasting throughout the entire competition,” said Dr. István Drotár, Head of the Digital Development Center at Széchenyi István University.

Thanks to Hungarian-developed technology and exemplary university-industry collaboration, the Kékszalag sailing competition reached a new level not only on the water but in the digital space as well.