http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/14/sports/AP-SAI-Americas-Cup.html?hp

http://ozreport.com/14.014

From a Blue Water Sailing newsletter re/ America's Cup:

The first item we've seen that is a little mind boggling is a
laser device that is capable of reading the wind strength and direction, in any
direction out to about 1000 meters. Point it upwards and you get wind sheer,
point it to windward and you get the wind shifts and strength. Very cool. The
applications for this with cruisers are many. Wouldn't it be great to know when
to reef the sails before the squall hits you? This little device is a mere
$150,000 at present, but you know how the price comes down when everyone wants
one. Maybe within a few years we can all have one.

Thanks to John Chambers.