The software company will bring "cutting-edge and innovative solutions" to the World Cup series over the next four years, the governing body said.

This will see SAP aim to "transform" competitions by improving performance on the water and "reinventing" the experience for fans both at home and at the venues.

Simplifying operations for sailors and coaches will be another goal, as well as supplying the media with information and insight to "deliver a more informed commentary".

"The announcement of our partnership with SAP marks the start of an exciting new era for World Sailing," the governing body's President Kim Andersen said. 

"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."

SAP will provide World Sailing with analytics software and a Sailing Race Manager mobile app, which allows fans to track the action across all classes at World Cup events from wherever they are.

Every boat will carry a tracking device with wind sensors also placed around racing areas.

World Sailing chief executive officer Andy Hunt said: "SAP continues to research and develop new solutions that bring worldwide spectators much closer to the action than ever before. 

"We're looking forward to growing the partnership and innovating in unison over the coming years in the best interests of the sport."

Dr Stefan Lacher, head of sponsorship innovations at SAP, added: "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."