They say the years get faster and this is guaranteed in every America’s Cup cycle. 2018 has just flown by and it has already been almost one year since the AC75 Class Rule was published. More than enough time for teams to have dissected every detail and produce designs for their build teams to be well into production of their AC75.
Synonymous with the America’s Cup is secrecy and at this crucial time most of the work is going on behind the scenes and insight into what is really happening within the team bases is nigh on impossible. The picture, of course, will become clearer towards the middle of the year when boat shed doors will begin to open revealing the first iterations of the AC75.
The AC75 will be one of the most revolutionary boats ever seen and recently was awarded – ‘Foiling Design’ and ‘Foiling Innovation’ categories – during the Foiling Awards at the Museo della Scienza in Milan. Despite the 3D models and the animations, it is difficult to really understand the scale and the behaviour of these foiling machines.
A first hint of the real scale of the AC75 boats has been illustrated by the prototype of the foil cant system (FCS) in action. During a number of visits to Auckland each challenger representative has witnessed the one design FCS that will be supplied to each team.
“The scale of the AC75 is for sure something that people have no idea about. You can only realise this when you see it first-hand!” said Dimitri Despierre of NYYC American Magic.
Almost two years out from the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada – the pressure is rising and the need to keep one step ahead of the game leads the teams to be very careful with the information they put out for the public. Let’s see what news they have so far this year…
Une vidéo mise en ligne par le Groupe Bénéteau agite la toile. Il s’agit d’un bateau à moteur foiler lancé à très haute vitesse, avec des passagers sanglés dans leurs sièges baquets. Mais quelle est l’intention du groupe??
Le Groupe Bénéteau vient de mettre en ligne une vidéo de son premier bateau à moteur à foils. Ce concept-boat de 9,70 m a été développé en 9 mois, avec l’appui de 3 partenaires techniques pour dessiner, concevoir, développer et construire ce bateau volant nouvelle génération. DEMS Sarrazin Design, Noval et SEAir ont formé un mix de compétences design, techniques et mécaniques.
L’objectif est de voir comment transférer cette technologie à l’univers de la plaisance.
“L’objet de l’étude était de pouvoir tester un proto et de sécuriser la technologie des foils sur un bateau à moteur. Contrairement au Figaro 3 où les foils sont réglés à la main, on a développé ici un système automatisé” explique Mirna Cieniewicz, directrice de la communication.
L’objectif de Bénéteau est de créer un bateau accompagnateur pour les départs de courses de voiliers, qui sont de plus en rapides. “Une navigation plus douce, sans à-coup.” Ce concept pourra naviguer avec ou sans foils à la vitesse de 40 nœuds, d’où les 400 chevaux au tableau arrière.
Mirna nous explique que c’est une percée technologique dans le domaine des bateaux volants. Il y a encore beaucoup de paramètres à peaufiner ainsi, il n’y aura pas d’annonce commerciale dans les mois à venir.
Le responsable du projet nous avoue que le Groupe serait en mesure de fabriquer un moule et de sortir quelques unités de ce bateau très innovant s’il y a de la demande pour la fabrication de plusieurs modèles expérimentaux en tant que bateaux accompagnateurs.
The foiling awards 2018 ceremony was held on February 11th in a location where the history of foiling was hovering directly above the crowd: the majestic Luna Rossa AC72 from San Francisco cup edition was in fact just meters away at the “Leonardo Da Vinci” Museo della Scienza e Tecnologia in Milan, allowing guests to appreciate the catamaran silver livery. A good match indeed to the Foiling Awards silverware in display.
The evening was also the opportunity for Foiling WeekTM to launch the Projects S.A.S., the world first foiling boat allowing able and disabled sailors to fly together.
The idea, devised by Foiling WeekTM, was introduced to demonstrate the FW core values: Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability. Designed by foiling guru Guillaume Verdier, the first prototype, the IRUS 5.5, is under construction in Lorient: the boat is a mini-IMOCA with dali foils, swing keel and double T rudders.
Once tested with modified seats and controls the new boat will be built at the world class facilities of Persico Marine.
Marcello Persico joined the www to present the project with Simone Ungaro, CEO of Movendo Technology (a company involved in robot-based rehabilitation) which is also supporting the project.
At last two of the project S.A.S. testimonials contributed to the evening. Glenn Ashby of Emirates Team New Zealand did appear in video and Max Sirena of Luna Rossa Challenge was present to show his support to the cause.
The project fund-raising was opened by Luca Rizzotti, Foiling WeekTM co-founder, by showing the newly opened Project S.A.S. dedicated bank account:
Account name SAS PROJECT BY ASSOCIAZIONE TFW
IBAN IT 15 Z 01030 34211 000001855235
BIC PASCITM1418
Vittorio D’Albertas, the ceremony MC, passed the baton to Bruno Giuntoli, Foiling WeekTM competitions manager, that opened officially two newly launched design competitions: the MP eFoiler, in partnership with Gurit and Torqeedo, is dedicated to professional yacht design firms with the aim of designing a Multipurpose Electric powered foiling boat. The other is the SuMo competition, dedicated to naval architecture students, for the construction of a sustainably built Moth class compliant foiler.
The evening did reach the apex with the presentation of the Awards Winners:
Foiling Sailor presented by GAC Pindar for best foiling sport achievement Glen Ashby
Foiling Design presented by Persico Marine projects still in design or in early production phase America’s Cup Ac75 (Emirates Team New Zealand – luna Rossa Challenge)
Martin Fischer receive the Design Awards on behalf of Luna Rossa Challenge & Emirates Team New Zealand
Production Foiling Boat presented by Gurit foiling craft already in production and being sailed Manta Moth
Ferrighi’s brother & Luca Bonezzi receive the Award
One Off Foiling Boat presented by Gurit foiling craft not intended for production, being sailed Monofoil Gonet
Eric Monin receive the Award
Foiling Innovation by Foiling WeekTM
foiling design solutions applied to flight control / design / construction, excluding hull construction America’s Cup AC75 Foil set up (Emirates Team New Zealand – luna Rossa Challenge)
Mario Caponetto receive the Innovation Awards on behalf of Luna Rossa Challenge & Emirates Team New Zealand
Foiling Sustainability presented by Torqeedo ideas, inventions, design, initiative that will have a beneficial impact on environment Autonomous Sailing Vessel by Artemis Technology
The Award ceremony was closed by Domenico Boffi, Foiling WeekTM co-founder, remarks and invite to join the first Foiling WeekTM of the year in July at Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
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