SAP Co-innovates with the SAP Extreme Sailing Team to Enhance the 2014 Extreme Sailing Series

MUSCAT, Oman – SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today demonstrated its ability to add a new dimension to sport at Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Muscat, Oman.

As the Official Technical Partner of the Series and title sponsor of the SAP Extreme Sailing Team, SAP has continuously improved the experience for fans and pushed sailors to perform like never before. This year, SAP is delivering enhanced analysis tools both pre and post-race, providing sailors, media and fans with greater insight into the on-water action than previously available.

“SAP is proud to collaborate with the Extreme Sailing Series and SAP Extreme Sailing Team to deliver cutting edge innovations,” said Sam Alkharrat, Managing Director, SAP MENA.

“We are committed to transforming the sport of sailing globally by developing tools that help sailors optimize their performance, bring fans closer to the action and enable media and broadcasters to provide better informed commentaries.”

In addition to the tools already delivered to the Series through the sailing analytics, SAP is providing new features to deliver detailed insights into the all-important pre-start phase of races. Based on feedback from sailors, it was evident that a more efficient approach was required to evaluate pre-start performance. As in Formula One, Extreme Sailing races are often decided before the start signal – how a team positions itself on the start line can determine the results of the race. The new analysis options feature key start line parameters including: length, angle to wind, favored side and advantage, all in real-time. The live leaderboard will also display statistics such as countdown to the start of the race, distance to start line, position where the line has been crossed and start tack.

For the first time, SAP is also providing post-race automated reports. These reports can be tailored to individual requirements, with the ability to break the data down to supply, for instance, an overview of a year, a specific team, an Act, a day or even a certain race. This is an important development for teams and media in particular as it will enable them to review and compare specific moments in the Series in an easily consumable format.

“As a team we are committed to continuously improving our performance,” commented Jes Gram-Hansen, co-skipper, SAP Extreme Sailing Team “Like SAP, we also strive to improve the sport for all involved and have worked closely with SAP to develop enhanced performance analysis features for this year’s Extreme Sailing Series. 2014 is set to be one of the most exciting and competitive line-ups in the history of the Series and with our new crew, new boat and the improved performance analysis we are confident that we can challenge for the title.”

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