Congratulations to our friends at SPOT, who have won a 2008 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award for their Satellite Messenger, which claimed the top spot in the Consumer Electronics category. 

The Satellite Messenger is a handheld device that uses the Globalstar network of satellites to send both emergency messages or “Okay” signals to friends and family back home while backpackers, hikers, and adventure athletes are in remote backcountry regions. Since coming online late last year, the service has garnered more than 50,000 sponsors, and has directly played a part in more than 40 rescues around the globe. 

At Primal Quest Montana teams were required to carry a Satellite Messenger with them at all times, and the device served as a method for tracking the locations and placement of teams throughout the race. Fans of adventure racing were able to be a part of the event like never before, as this  new technology fundamentalloy changed the way that the sport could be followed. SPOT once again returns in 2009 as the presenting sponsor of Primal Quest Badlands.

Photo by Will Ramos