Team New Zealand back Spark technology for America’s Cup title defence

Team New Zealand has secured another key sponsorship in preparation for their America’s Cup title defence.

Emirates have signed on as the major sponsor, however, telecommunications giant Spark is seen as a crucial component to the team securing back to back wins.

Spark will provide Emirates Team New Zealand with telecommunications and digital connectivity, both on and off the water, as well as exclusive rights to provide telecommunications services and connectivity within areas controlled by the organising company, America’s Cup Event Limited and Challenger of Record 36.

Spark will use the partnership to highlight their advances of the new 5G network by using the 5G Innovation Lab that is being constructed a few hundred metres from the Team New Zealand’s new base.

“We have partnered with Spark, in the belief that their expertise in data and connectivity can help give us a competitive edge, and ensure the team is always connected in all mission-critical aspects of design, testing and to put us in the best place for racing on the water,” Team New Zealand CEO, Grant Dalton said in announcing the deal on Tuesday.

“As America’s Cup racing becomes more and more driven by technology innovation, the crew on the boat and the team back at the base rely on the immediate availability of real time data to get the best performance on the water.

“Seamless connectivity can make the difference in gaining that competitive edge.

“We saw that for sure in Bermuda and there’s no doubt that this will continue to be a differentiator for the racing in 2021.”

Team New Zealand’s innovations were crucial to winning the America’s Cup off Oracle Team USA in Bermuda last year, especially their use of cyclors and the control of their foils and wingsail.

Team New Zealand have also secured partnership with Toyota, ITM, TVNZ, Sail Racing International, and Brancott Estate wines.