Vakaros Atlas + Waterspeed: a post-race analysis workflow
How to get your Vakaros Atlas or Atlas 2 sessions into Waterspeed, step by step, and what to look at after racing: tacks and gybes, speed, VMG, legs and session comparison.
By the Waterspeed team
Record on your Vakaros Atlas as usual, export the session as a VKX file from the Vakaros app, and import it into Waterspeed on the web or on Android. Waterspeed then shows every tack and gybe with entry and exit speed, your best speeds and, with Waterspeed Ultra, VMG by leg and a polar chart. The session syncs to the Waterspeed mobile app, so you can review it on iOS or Android and compare it with other sessions.
As of October 2026. Last updated: 23 October 2026.
Why combine them
The Vakaros Atlas records GPS and motion data on the boat, in view of the whole crew. Waterspeed uses that file for post-race analysis and keeps every race in one log, next to sessions recorded on an Apple Watch, a Garmin or a phone.
Step 1: Export from Vakaros
In the Vakaros Connect app, download the session from the Atlas over Bluetooth, open it and choose Export. Pick the VKX format, then save the file to your phone or email it to yourself. Vakaros’s own guide to logging and export: Telemetry Logging - It’s here! (Vakaros blog, updated March 2023; menu names in the current app may differ).
Step 2: Import into Waterspeed
On the web (recommended by Waterspeed):
- Open the Waterspeed web app at go.waterspeedapp.com and sign in (free).
- In Activities, click VKX Import (top right).
- Upload the file. The session appears with its analysis, and it syncs to the Waterspeed mobile app.
On Android: open Waterspeed, go to Diary > Import and select the file.
On iOS: VKX import is not yet available in the iPhone app (as of October 2026; Waterspeed says iOS support is coming soon). Import on the web or Android: the session then syncs to the iPhone app.
Step 3: Check the wind
Tacks and gybes, angles and VMG are calculated from the wind direction saved with the session. Waterspeed takes it from the forecast as one average for the whole track, so it does not follow shifts during the race. If the race had a different breeze, open Edit and correct the wind before you read the numbers.
Step 4: What to look at
| Question | Where in Waterspeed |
|---|---|
| Which tacks cost me? | Tacks and gybes: entry and exit speed, angle and speed change; tap a manoeuvre on the map |
| Port or starboard weaker? | Port and starboard runs and legs (Ultra) |
| Was my upwind angle right? | VMG and average true wind angle by leg; the best leg in each direction is starred (Ultra) |
| Where was I fastest at each angle? | Polar chart from your own track (Ultra) |
| How did we sail downwind? | Downwind legs and gybes (Ultra) |
| Am I getting faster? | Best speeds, and Compare to overlay two sessions |
Step-by-step guides: Your tacks are losing you more speed than you think, Upwind angles and VMG in a dinghy: pinch or foot?, How to analyse a sailing session like a coach.
Step 5: Share with the crew or coach
Share the session from its activity page. With Waterspeed Pro you can export any activity in your Diary as a GPX or CSV file for your coach or another analysis tool.
FAQ
Do I need a Waterspeed subscription to import Vakaros files? No. Connecting Vakaros and signing in to the web app are free. VMG, legs, runs and the polar chart are part of Waterspeed Ultra.
Is the import automatic? No. You export the file from the Vakaros app and import it into Waterspeed.
Which Vakaros devices work? Vakaros Atlas and Atlas 2.
Can I use an Apple Watch or Garmin as well? Yes. Sessions from Apple Watch, Garmin, Wear OS, COROS and Suunto sit in the same log as your Vakaros imports.
Does Waterspeed replace the Vakaros app? No. You still download and export sessions from the Atlas with the Vakaros app, then analyse them in Waterspeed alongside sessions from your other devices.
Related: Vakaros Atlas sailing data in Waterspeed, Race analysis: how to review starts, marks and legs with GPS replay.
