Both parties have pledged to work together over the next two years to promote eSailing around the world.

Mount Gay will become a supporting partner of the eSailing World Championship and the eSailing Nations Cup, with six weeks of challenges incorporated into the game play.

The Barbados-based company has strong links with sailing, sponsoring organisations such as US Sailing as well as backing regattas worldwide.

Over the last four decades, Mount Gay has also awarded red caps for sailing accomplishments. 

"We are delighted to welcome Mount Gay as World Sailing's official eSailing partner," said Scott Over, the commercial director at World Sailing.

"The eSailing World Championship has grown twenty fold in the last year and the newly established eSailing Nations Cup has added another exciting element of competition and opportunities for global eSailors and member nations. 

"It is a big step to be working with Mount Gay to enhance our eSailing project and highlights how far we have grown in such a short period of time.

"eSailing is rapidly gaining popularity as we attract sailors and non-sailors to the platform. 

"Mount Gay is an iconic brand in sailing, famous for its support of major international events and engagement with sailors. 

"The partnership with Mount Gay will enable deeper levels of community engagement in a thriving environment and enable World Sailing to continue eSailing development with new classes, venues and participating nations."

More than two million players are currently participating in inshore and offshore eSailing games, World Sailing said.

In November, the finals of the eSailing World Championship and the eSailing Nations Cup are due to be held.

"We are always looking for ways to support and bring our sailing community together, and this is now more important than ever," said Raphaël Grisoni, the managing director of Mount Gay.

"Our partnership with World Sailing will help us do just that."