Team Alinghi now is placing even greater demands on virtual prototyping tools because the design rules for this competition have undergone significant changes, and the number of variables affecting the boat's performance has changed dramatically. In turn, Team Alinghi is relying upon ANSYS products and services for its system-level computer modeling and simulation needs. In addition to implementing ANSYS Workbench and ANSYS Mechanical, Team Alinghi also plans to use ANSYS computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools such as ANSYS ICEM CFD and CFX-5.

Furthermore, Team Alinghi's success partly depends upon arriving at an innovative and novel design that will outperform competitors under multiple and uncertain environmental conditions. ANSYS' multi-physics-based integrated solutions will allow Team Alinghi to achieve this feat quickly and economically. The multi-disciplinary coupling attribute of the ANSYS solution is used specifically in the design of the mast and keel fin. ANSYS' mechanical solutions are used extensively to analyze the composite structures in the Team Alinghi yachts. ANSYS ICEM CFD and CFX will be used to study the various underwater components and the mast/sail interaction.

"This relationship is an outstanding opportunity for ANSYS to become involved with a high-profile sports event that challenges teams not only for their sailing skills but also on the ability to design and engineer the most optimal design," said Joe Fairbanks, vice president of global sales and support at ANSYS, Inc. "We are excited about the opportunity and confident that our proven and robust set of technologies will help Team Alinghi defend its title in 2007."