Instant results on the web

Vaka Eiva officials will be putting the world on their support boat this year, thanks to a new mobile communications link established for the canoeing event.

Officials have been loaded up with smart phones, data connections and wi-fi coverage for Vaka Eiva this year, meaning the world will now get updates, pictures and videos of all the action in real time for the first time.

Telecom Cook Islands is supplying all the technology. They will set up a wireless network at the Avarua port area taking in the boat shed, Trader Jacks and Rarotonga Fried Chicken and give data coverage to the Vaka Eiva crew.

The technology means everyone from America to Avarua can access Vaka Eiva results and updates only moments after the fact.

The crew even has the opportunity to upload results and some pictures to the Vaka Eiva website and Facebook page from the ocean.

Telecom is offering 50 percent discounts on their wi-fi networks to paddlers during the event.

John Beasley, the man in control of the Telecom sponsored phone, said the company was making it as easy as possible to get race updates and results onto the web instantaneously.

Its the first time that the hundreds of people who wanted to take part in Vaka Eiva but couldnt make it here will be able to follow the progress of races in real time on Facebook, Beasley said.

We want to put out a big thank-you to Telecom for the technology.