SAP deal marks ‘new era’ for World Sailing

Software company SAP has entered into a partnership with World Sailing, the sport’s global governing body.

The four-year deal will run until 2021 and names SAP as World Sailing’s official technology partner.

Under the agreement, SAP will implement its technology solutions during World Sailing’s World Cup Series. The company will seek to reinvent the fan experience, simplify operations for sailors and coaches, and supply media with information and insights to enhance commentary of events.

SAP’s Sailing Analytics software and Sailing Race Manager mobile application will be used across all classes at the World Cup Series, with fans, broadcasters and media from around the world to have access to these solutions as part of the agreement.

Each boat will carry a tracking device, with data to be fed directly from the water to allow for real-time coverage and leaderboards, while wind sensors will be placed around racing areas to provide up-to-date information on race conditions.

Stefan Lacher, head of sponsorship innovations at SAP, said: “It is very exciting for us to be able to share our experience in providing data analytics to an organisation such as World Sailing. With one of the largest individual gatherings of classes in the world, we look forward to opening up the intricacies of the sport at this level over the next years.

“We will apply our data analytics and insights to further enhance the enjoyment of the sport for fans, sailors and officials. The partnership will also offer a unique test bed for future innovations.”

World Sailing president Kim Andersen added: “The announcement of our partnership with SAP marks the start of an exciting new era for World Sailing. There is a unique relationship between sport, technology and nature in sailing as they all work together in powerful harmony. With SAP, we have an innovative technology partner who reflects this positioning and matches our ambitions to inspire millions more people to fall in love with sailing.”