US information technology company HP has extended and upgraded its partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand, which is currently preparing to defend its title in sailing’s America’s Cup.
Under the deal, HP will become an Official Sponsor for the road to the 36th America’s Cup. The new level of support will see HP’s logo adorn the foils of the boat, while Emirates Team New Zealand will utilise HP technology through to 2021.
HP technology is used throughout the team, but particularly by the 30 engineers who make up the design team. HP workstations have enabled the engineers to work on structural analysis, fluid dynamics, software development, simulation and mechatronics – all integral to refining sailing performance ahead of race day.
Dan Bernasconi, head of design for Emirates Team New Zealand, said: “Although the AC campaign is three years long, development timescales are very short, and we will have to cycle through several generations of design to be competitive.
“We need powerful machines to provide overnight analysis of candidate designs, and fast processors to enable us to simulate the boat in real-time in our simulator.”
Emirates Team New Zealand will also be working with HP on emerging solutions in 3D printing, a new category HP is bringing to the local market.
HP wide format print technology is used by Emirates Team New Zealand to print graphics on sails, buildings and other large surfaces, as well as the plans used by the boat builders to construct detailed designs.
The IT brand has backed Emirates Team New Zealand since 2014, and served as the Official PC and Print Technology Supplier for its victorious 35th America’s Cup campaign in Bermuda.