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SQUASH - Technological Innovation Changing The Face Of Squash

Virtual Spectator
Previews Squash Technology

A Unique Interactive Experience for the Bermuda Masters 2005

The Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2005 is not only showcasing the world's top 31 squash players, but a remarkably enhanced visual experience is being "test driven", as new technology captures on-court play. VS SquashTrac(tm) is the latest VS innovation, currently in beta-testing, using the award-winning interactive technology of Virtual Spectator(tm) and the combined resources of Investors Guaranty Group(tm).

Just as glass courts added a break-through dimension to visualizing play, VS SquashTrac(tm) enhances the court-side experience with added visual dimensions and player analytics. For fans unable to enjoy the warm hospitality of Bermuda during the event, and for players after each match, VS SquashTrac(tm) and video highlights from the 2005 Bermuda Masters are available by logging on to www.virtualspectator.com/preview.

VS SquashTrac(tm) combines multi-camera video, electronic player tracking, and thermographic imaging to provide multiple perspectives and performance analytics on a squash player's every move. Through the VS squash viewer over the web, for television broadcast or through digital tablets at the event, the user is virtually in complete control of how the game is viewed. The interface gives the user access to choose from various high-definition (HD) camera angles, an infrared view, and an array of statistics and data, captured live at the event, and, of course, the 3D animations for which Virtual Spectator is well known.

Virtual Spectator(tm) (VS) is a leading interactive visualization and sports information group known for its 3D interactive animations of America's Cup sailing, World Rally Motor Sports, golf, rugby, cricket, horse racing, and in Bermuda, the world's premier match racing event, The King Edward the VII Gold Cup. The group has a history of world-class technology innovation with a focus on visualization products designed to simplify complex data and ease understanding of nuances in sports, as well as business data.

The development of VS SquashTrac(tm) represents a fast-track collaboration of the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association, Virtual Spectator's New Zealand 3D animation team, its Australian real-time technologies group, coordinated and produced by ImageAction Ltd.

Bermuda Masters Director Ross Triffitt commented, "I am delighted that a major player in world sports technology chose to be the Title Sponsor of the Bermuda Masters.   I am even more pleased about how much their new interface enhances not only the event, but the understanding of the sport in general."

"Having just rolled out our "VS Event Experience" at the Investors Guaranty(tm) Presentation of The King Edward VII Gold Cup in Bermuda in October, we were able to shorten the normal lead time for developing and applying VS technology to squash" said Curtis Worthy of ImageAction Ltd. Worthy, the Project Executive added, "Our challenge was in gaining sufficient insight to simplify the sport for our viewers, yet creating the advanced visual and performance analytics needed by the players, coaches and broadcast commentators. Ross Triffitt, Kim Carter and their dedicated volunteer team are so passionate about the sport and were a great beta-client in developing VS SquashTrac(tm). Of course, the enthusiasm, feedback and suggestion of the players, officials and fans has been tremendous."

Investors Guaranty(tm) companies have been Bermuda-based since 1985. Investors Guaranty(tm) Chairman and CEO, and a Director of Virtual Spectator(tm), Douglas L. King, commented "The Investors Guaranty Foundation participated in last year's event in sponsoring Children's Health Week. When approached to be this year's title sponsor, we were honored to associate ourselves with such a world-class event. We couldn't resist joining our Virtual Spectator(tm) unit's advanced technology and well-know brand to one of the world's top squash challenges."

About Virtual Spectator(tm)
Virtual Spectator(tm) (www.virtualspectator.com) is at the forefront of 3D graphics, animation, technologies, education, and broadcast, enhancing the visualization and understanding of premier sporting events.  Powered by VS3D, Virtual Spectator's award-winning animation and graphics products have been the technology of choice by world-class events including the PGA Tour, Wimbledon, World Rally Championship, Volvo Ocean Race, Formula 1, America's Cup, ECB, Cricket Australia, The King Edward VII Gold Cup, and the Olympic Games.  Virtual Spectator's sports management and data capture technologies provide interactive sports data, statistics, and graphics to broadcast television and the Internet.  Virtual Spectator is a member of the Investors Guaranty Global Alliance.

About ImageAction(tm)
ImageAction(tm) (www.imageaction.com) creates and coordinates specialized teams to provide a comprehensive range of service offerings including web development and Internet strategy consulting, e-commerce systems, business process integration, digital media production, product positioning, corporate and product branding, public relations management and various marketing and advertising services.

About Investors Guaranty
Investors Guaranty (www.investorsguaranty.com) is comprised of over 75 public and private companies with interests in Europe, North America, and AsiaPacific. Collectively, Investors Guaranty Companies seek to integrate, optimize and coordinate their core competencies to benefit themselves, their clients and customers. Group companies share a common branding and technology infrastructure through the Investors Guaranty Global Alliance.

The Group specializes in strategic investing, insurance, financial technologies, risk management, asset management and fund administration, legal and accounting systems, administrative and corporate management services, branding and media and information technologies.

Investors Guaranty Companies maintain offices in over 25 cities around the world. Group operations are managed from Zurich, Toronto, Auckland and Bermuda. Investors Guaranty's branding activities include its title sponsorship of one of sailing's premier match racing events, the King Edward VIII Gold Cup (www.kingedwardviigoldcup.com), sponsorship of the Royal New Zealand Ballet and title sponsorship of the Virtual Spectator(tm) Bermuda Masters 2005.

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