The new Deputy Director of Applied Technology at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Ian Burns (pictured) has declared that his goal in the position is to make the AIS world leader in sport data, technology and innovation.
An America’s Cup–winning engineer, Mr Burns said developments in technology would be a major factor in Australia’s international performance over the next two decades.
“Australia and the AIS have built a great reputation in international sport, but development in technology and innovation has now reached a pivotal stage and will define how competitive we remain over the next 10 to 20 years,” Mr Burns said.
He said it would be one of the defining factors in global sport.
“My vision is for AIS Applied Technology and Innovation to be the world leader in its field.”
He said great changes were taking place in the use and accessibility of technology in sport, where even recreational athletes had access to their performance data.
“We can’t just rely on tried and tested technology out in the market, we need to be willing to push the boundaries of innovation within sport and look to repurpose technology from other industry.”
Mr Burns, a mechanical engineer, formed a partnership with Iain Murray in the design of multiple Sydney-to-Hobart sailing winners before he left Australia in 1998.
He joins the AIS after nine America’s Cup sailing campaigns and the past seven years as Director of Performance with Oracle Team USA.
“America’s Cup racing is focused on consistently advancing the technology to stay ahead of the competition, so I’m really looking forward to applying that experience more broadly with the AIS and Australian sport,” Mr Burns said.
