I struggled to find a suitable split-timing tool for interval-start Nordic ski races. A friend asked if I could build an iPad-specific solution, and that was all the motivation I needed.
With an extensive background in Nordic ski racing, I aimed to solve a personal problem that could benefit others in the community. The app is built by a coach, for coaches.
This app was inspired by an old DOS-based app created by John Ruger who I have never met. I was lucky to be coached by Fred Fayette and Ruff Patterson as a college skier who both used the app. Many skiers will fondly remember Fred for his big smile and his big laptop at the sides of the trails giving UVM skiers accurate splits in every race! I was also involved as an early "founder" of a different split timing app along with my friend Steve Fuller (famous in the ski world for his flyingpointroad.com photography), but that app was sold early on and stalled out with its developers and owners. I love taking splits and really wanted something better, something more like that program Fred used on the sides of so many race courses, so I finally got around to creating NordicRaceTrace.
NordicRaceTrace is built with:
- React Native framework for cross-platform iOS development
- Expo Go for testing during development
- EAS Build for compilation and App Store submission
- AI assistance (specifically Claude) for accelerated development
My background is in HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript. The app was initially rejected from the iOS App Store and required renaming from "SplitTimer" to "RaceTrace" to differentiate from existing interval timer apps.
Plans include:
- Yearly update cycles aligned with ski seasons
- Continued focus on coaches and on-course split timing
- Improved race timing features so that coaches can have one tool for both splits and tracking time trials/team testing/etc
- Open to community feature suggestions
- Custom builds for teams that want to run splits on a closed system
Have an idea? Email me at cotepat@gmail.com and I'll consider it for a future update.
Introductory rate: $15 per year
Standard rate: $20 per year
Early adopters who subscribe at $15 will keep that renewal price indefinitely. This pricing is designed to recover initial development costs while remaining fair and accessible to the coaching community.
We have built an Android version but need testers before we can release to the Google Play Store. Reach out at cotepat@gmail.com if you are interested in testing.
Beta testing is now closed. The app is available on the App Store!
Special thanks to our beta testers: Tracey Cote, Brayton Osgood, Ben Buck, Adam St. Pierre, and others who helped shape the app.
Questions? Contact cotepat@gmail.com