Contactless SI punching
Some of you may have used, seen or heard about the next generation of SPORTident cards where competitors don’t need to insert their “dibber” into the hole in the control unit but can simply wave it over the control as you run past. It now looks likely that the JK that is being held in the South East next year will use this technology.
Adoption of the new system for JK2017 does not mean that everyone has to buy or hire a new dibber (contactless punching requires the use of special dibbers but existing control boxes can still be used) since existing dibbers can be used in the traditional manner. As a trial for JK2017 it is intended that the Brighton City Race this year will use contactless punching and perhaps a few other smaller events as well. The main reason for announcing this now is that until Friday October 14th Sportident are offering a 20% discount on these new dibbers (known as SIACs). These SIACs can also be used like a traditional dibber at events that don’t use contactless punching. We don’t know how common it will become for events to offer contactless punching - although it is interesting to note that all events in Switzerland will offer it next year and I can see it becoming the norm in the UK within a few years. You may thus wish to get some Christmas shopping in early - the Sportident website can be found at: http://www.sportident.co.uk/