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A RECORD-BREAKING FOILING WEEK WAITING FOR THE 10TH EDITION

  • A WEEK TO REMEMBER FOR WHEATHER, GUESTS AND EVENTS
  • THE FIRST FILM FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO FOILING
  • THE FOILING YOUTH WORLD SERIES ON THE LAUNCHING PAD
  • FOILING WEEK “X” FROM JUNE 27th TO JULY 5th 2023, AT FRAGLIA MALCESINE AS USUAL

The ninth Italian edition of FOILING WEEK has come to an end. A record week for regattas, guests, and events. 175 registered boats divided into five racing classes (Moth, WASZP, ETF26, ONEFLY, and Wingfoil) and more than two thousand people visiting the Fraglia Vela Malcesine among athletes, coaches and guests. The perfect weather conditions throughout the week allowed spectacular challenges in the waters in front of Fraglia Vela Malcesine and an average of five races per day per class, thus completing the program.

The queen class in terms of entries and level of participants was the Moth class, which saw 77 athletes compete. Important names such as Ruggero Tita, Dylan Fletcher Scott and Paul Goodison were at the start. The podium was composed by Dylan Fletcher Scott (GBR 10), Nicolai Jacobson (NOR 4882) and Mattias Coutts (NZL4774).

The WASZP class, this year in preparation for the Worlds next week right here at the Fraglia, had 66 boats at the start. In a class that is proving to be extremely interesting in terms of the number of entries and new owners being added each year. The podium was composed of: Ettore Botticini (ITA 3135), Charles Cullen (IRL 2987), and Ezio Savoini (ITA 3203).

With 13 starting boats the podium of the ONEFLY was at the end: Léo Maurin (FRA 37), Louis Chambet (FRA 7), and Gabriel Skoczek (FRA029).

Among the 8 ETF26s on the Lake during these days, the podium went to Teampro – FRA10 (Jean Christophe Mourniac, Benjamin Amiot and Pierre Yves Durand), second the New Zealanders of Live Ocean Racing – NZL 64 (Olivia Mackay, Helena Sanderson and Serena Woodall) and third the French of Youth Foiling Team – FRA 00 (Charles Dorange, Pierre Boulbin and Jean-Baptiste Ducamin).

Among the 18 Wingfoils in race, Francesco Capuzzo (ITA 73) came out on top, followed by Alessandro Josè Tomasi (ITA 70) and Luca Franchi (ITA 76).

Here is the link to the results and rankings: FOILING WEEK

The second edition of the SuMoth Challenge saw the four boats from the universities of Milan, Turin, Southampton, and Montreal on the water for the first time. SuMoth Challenge is an international project weaving together the design, and construction of a sustainable Moth. This was also an opportunity for the students to meet Mark Somerville, Managing Director of Persico Marine, who shared with them ideas and impressions on the featured projects. The final ranking of the SuMoth challenge is divided into two points: the first one dedicated to design was won by the Politecnico of Milan and the Politecnico of Turin in a tie, second the University of Southampton, and third the University of Montreal. The second-ranking covered construction, and the end sailing was won by Politecnico di Torino, second Politecnico di Milano and third the University of Montreal. A special prize for reliability and sustainability went to the University of Southampton with their flax fiber boat.

For many enthusiasts and the curious, FOILING WEEK was an opportunity to try out several foiling boats on the water, starting with two Persico 69Fs and a Candela, the official guest boat. Great interest was also aroused by the Manta5 foil bikes, the BirdyFish, the FD Switch, the Peacoq and the UFO.

During FOILING WEEK 2022, the first Foiling Film Festival was held, organized by Creative and Artistic Director Beatrice Colombo Serri and won by Australian Andrew Englisch with his “Gone with the Wing”. The Festival was supported by the City of Malcesine and started on June 29th with the presentation of the out-of-competition “premiere” of “FlyingNikka – The making of….”.

Through this connection, for one more week, all the works selected for the final stage of the Foiling Film Festival can be viewed in full.

The program of forums, moderated by sailing journalist and New York Times correspondent Chris Museler, touched on topical issues in the world of sports, sustainability, gender equality and safety, with a major thread of first importance for international sailing: the #backthebid awareness campaign for the reintroduction of sailing to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, globally promoted by World Sailing (world sailing federation). Many important guests such as Terry Hutchinson, Julia Mancuso, Clarisse Cremer, Luca Devoti, Armie Armstrong, and many other distinguished names in sports and sailing in particular.

This is the link to review the meetings: FOILING WEEK 2022 Forum.

On Friday, July 1, the FOILING YOUTH WORLD SERIES, a competition for teams representing the most influential sailing realities on the international scene, was officially presented with the aim of training future professionals in the sport. The official speakers of the announcement were Scott Over, Commercial Director of World Sailing (world sailing federation), Li Li, Managing Director of China Sports & Communications International Co. Ltd., Aaron Young, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Bruno Giuntoli, Operations Director of FOILING WEEK™, and Luca Rizzotti, Founder and President of FOILING WEEK™.

Here is the link to review the announcement: Foiling World Youth Series.

The events ashore concluded Saturday evening with a BBQ dinner in collaboration with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and entertainment by The Passion Rock’n Roll Band attended by Austin Brick, New Zealand Consul General in Italy.

Ruggero Tita, gold medalist in the Nacra 17 class at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: “I am very happy to be at FOILING WEEK. The conditions on the water are good, there are a lot of people and a positive atmosphere.”

Dylan Fletcher Scott, gold medalist in the 49er class at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: “It’s always great to be back at FOILING WEEK also because I won last time in 2018, so I have fun memories. I love Malcesine, but especially the chance to see so many foiling classes, the environment, the SuMoth Challenge, the #backtothebid initiative, the sea trials. The great thing is that there are so many people with a passion for foiling, it is a testament to the quality of the event. The Moth class has 68 entries so this could be the biggest event of the season even if it’s not the World or European Championships.”

Russell Coutts, gold medalist in the Finn class at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and winner of 5 America’s Cups (3 on board and 2 as team manager), at FOILING WEEK as coach of his son Mattias, who finished third in the Moth class: “I think FOILING WEEK is a wonderful event! Look at the environment, the number of people who are here, and the boats, it’s fantastic!”

Joan Cardona Méndez, bronze Medalist in the Finn class at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: “FOILING WEEK is a great event, I came here two years ago for the first time and I’ve been coming back every year since because there are the best sailors, a great base and great hospitality from the club. The regattas are very close and it’s perfect.”

CJ Perez, Team USA SailGP: “This is my first FOILING WEEK and I am having a great time with all the foiling classes. We had great weather conditions that allowed me to keep up with other very fast competitors.”

Liv Mackay, Team NZL SailGP: “It was great to come to FOILING WEEK, it’s a very unique event, there are many interesting innovations in foiling, I’m happy to be part of this world.”

Paul Goodison, gold medalist in the Laser class at the 2008 Beijing Olympics: “Another fantastic week of racing. This place is just magical. I come to Malcesine every year, there are great conditions. I think FOILING WEEK is a special event, so many foilers, all together, in one place, in one regatta, really priceless.”

Anne-Marie Rindom, bronze medalist in the Laser Radial class at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and gold medalist, in the same class, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: “It’s incredible! We competed every single day, 16 races in four days. This is my first FOILING WEEK and I will definitely come back next year. The atmosphere is incredible, everyone is super friendly. What makes FOILING WEEK so special is the great humanity of the people, all sociable and friendly, a rare opportunity to share knowledge and inspiring innovations also coming from the SuMoth Challenge.”

The Founder and President of FOILING WEEK™, declared at the end of the ninth edition: “From many points of view this was probably one of the most complex Foiling Weeks to tackle but we are sure that it is also the most successful to date. If we are at this level, we owe it to the quality of our partners of Fraglia Vela Malcesine, a Club that has in its DNA the creation of regattas of absolute excellence and where new sailing formulas destined to make the history of the sport have always been experimented with, a bit like FOILING WEEK in short. I would especially like to thank President Gianni Testa, Director Mattia Lonardi, Giacomo, Alice and all the staff who have always bent over backwards and supported us from our arrival to our departure. A special thanks also to the Municipality of Malcesine that year after year supports us and … puts up with us, with increasing commitment and enthusiasm, to Mayor Giuseppe Lombardi, Deputy Mayor Livio Concini who honored us with his presence at the Foiling Film Festival, Christian Chincarini and Luisa Marangoni with whom it is always a great pleasure to collaborate.”

The 2023 edition of FOILING WEEK in Italy, will be held from June 27 to July 5, 2023, as always at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, it will mark an important anniversary i.e. the tenth edition of FOILING WEEK and for which confirmed events, such as the second Foiling Film Festival, and many other novelties are already planned.

Stay tuned!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOILING YOUTH WORLD SERIES

A NEW EVENT CREATED BY FOILING WEEK™ DEDICATED TO YOUNG TALENTED SAILORS, PROVIDING THE FOILING PATHWAY TO BECOME PROFESSIONALS AND ACCESS ELITE SAILING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BEST TEAMS AND YACHT CLUBS

Today at 09:30 (CET), Mr. Scott Over, Commercial Director of World Sailing, Ms. Li Li, Managing Director of China Sports & Communications International Co Ltd., Mr. Aaron Young the Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Mr. Bruno Giuntoli, Operations Director of FOILING WEEK™ and Mr. Luca Rizzotti, Founder and President of FOILING WEEK™, met on live streaming to announce the guidelines of the FOILING YOUTH WORLD SERIES, a multi-class team championship created by FOILING WEEK™ and dedicated to the new foiling generations of the world. The announcement session was coordinated by sailing journalist and New York Times correspondent Chris Museler.

FYWS will be a team competition of foiling boats and will be dedicated to young sailors with the aim of training future professionals. The sailors will be part of teams representing the most influential sailing clubs competing for a world title. In 2023 the series will begin with 4 to 5 events which will take place in stunning locations around the globe.

FYWS will actively promote and support diversity and inclusion, sustainability and safety, all values for which FOILING WEEK™ is considered a benchmark. The new event will have a huge onshore program rich with initiatives. Guests and audiences will have the chance to try the boats, see technology exhibitions, as well as participate in conferences and use the latest virtual simulators.

The racing classes will be selected amongst: Moth, WASZP or FD SWITCH, Nacra 15, Wingfoil, Kite Foil IKA and Persico 69F.

Entries will be open to entities such as yacht clubs, sailing professional teams, MNAs (both as single entities and as group of entities). Each entry will include sailors in every sailing class represented for a total of 7 participants, between 16 and 24 years old, of which at least 50% must be women.

The series will pay particular attention to fundamental themes for the future of the sport. On one hand, young sailors will be able to train and access the best opportunities to then demonstrate their talent and skills professionally, on the other hand, the series will adopt fixed criteria in gender equity for all events from day one.

A list of 10 possible hosting locations is being explored, evaluated, and selected in North America, Europe, Middle East, China, New Zealand and Australia.

FOILING WEEK™ is one of the signatories of the World Sailing Special Events Sustainability Charter and is consequently committed to respect and promote the dictates of environmental sustainability and protection, gender equality, social commitment, transparency and to promptly and clearly report all the discrepancies found.

FOILING WEEK™ is running its 9th edition this week on Lake Garda in Italy and is the first and only global event dedicated to amazingly fast foiling boats, to their sailors, designers, and manufacturers. It is one amongst the only 8 Special Events nominated by World Sailing, which represent the pinnacle of the sport including the America’s Cup, SailGP, The Ocean Race, World Match Racing Tour, PWA World Tour, Star Sailors League and GKA Kite World Tour.

Efficient procedures and standards for safety to avoid accidents on the racecourse will be developed by FYWS organizers as well as specific foiling-oriented workshops on water safety to support ribs and coaches. Series data will be included in the ongoing scientific academic study on “injury prevention research in foiling”.

Massive attention will be given to all onshore activities. A masterclass program is being created and will include sessions on foiling basics and physics, boat building and repairs, and class specific “playbooks”, while workshops will focus on hands-on boat works, foiling boat set-up theory, splicing, set up and optimization.

FWYS is committed to leaving a legacy of inclusion and performance in sport at each event. A plan of locally based initiatives will continuously complement grassroots sailing through mentoring, data analysis coaching from events and training sessions, foiling specific physical training including injury avoidance, mental coaching, dietary planning and follow up.

The FYWS events will also have secondary, post-racing follow-up based upon the two weeks-long programs. With the meaningful goal of developing the local foiling scene, it will be possible to experience foiling trials and coaching for a week after the event. Boats from the fleet could even remain at the event location and be lent to local Yacht Clubs who prove commitment.

Through the following link you can watch the recording of the announcement: https://fb.watch/d_xJx-SiU5/

Scott Over, Commercial Director of World Sailing

“Foiling Week has become a key partner of World Sailing and we are working together to promote and develop sailing through their Special Event Status. This next step in their evolution, the launch of the Foiling Youth World Series, exemplifies many of our goals in sustainability, inclusivity and diversity, and the growth of our sport. We at World Sailing will continue to support this great organization as they grow and benefit sailors and the communities they touch.”

Li Li, Managing Director of China Sports & Communications International Co Ltd.

“This cooperation has really provided a great opportunity for all of us to commit to the strategic development of youth foiling community around the globe together. The mission is to organize a series of dedicated events to promote foiling as a sport and to organize training programs and practice events to give local sailors and the community the chance to foil with the goal of creating a legacy for the future”.

Aaron Young, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

“The Foiling World Series events present a great and unique opportunity for our future sailors to experience the world of foiling. The pathway is so important for clubs like the RNZYS to help bridge that gap between club sailing and professional sailing at a high level. The Foiling week series has given that next generation of both females and males a fun and exciting steppingstone from youth sailing at clubs to reaching the highest level in our sport – what an amazing opportunity”.

Bruno Giuntoli, Operations Director of FOILING WEEK™

“I think that the Youth Series will be a perfect path to professional sailing. We have been working on the series planning on every aspect for quite some time and, as an engineer, I can’t leave anything to chance. With the support of our partners and stakeholders, now it’s time to go on the field and start verifying all our insights. I’m extremely excited and confident”.

Luca Rizzotti, Founder and President of FOILING WEEK™

“Look around, foiling will soon be the most popular way to go sailing. We, at FOILING WEEK™, explore its boundaries, segments, trends, and population since 2013. It’s huge. I think it is very clear that we stick to our motto #connect #cooperate #change: FOILING WEEK™ team is cooperating with Yacht Clubs and Federations around the world to accelerate foiling diffusion. From Jeddah Yacht Club and Saudi Sailing Federation to China Sports & Industry Group, and to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron we are happy to engage with all passionate entities.

The Series project is basically a new pathway of sailing that goes along with the Olympics and the Ocean racing. A long-term idea conceived and designed for future generations. The best and most relevant Yacht Clubs in the world are joining the Series. We have already quite a few requests. Year one will start with 10 teams so, if anybody wants to join just call us now, there are not many places left”.

FOILING FILM FESTIVAL, FIRST EDITION, THE WINNERS

  • TO “GONE WITH THE WING” BY ANDREW ENGLISCH, AUSTRALIA (2022), THE AWARD FOR BEST FOILING FILM OF 2022
  • “FLYINGNIKKA – THE MAKING OF…” PREMIERES OUT OF COMPETITION AT THE FFF – THE WORDS OF OWNER AND SKIPPER ROBERTO LACORTE
  • FOILING YOUTH WORLD SERIES – FOILING WEEK TALKS ABOUT IT TOMORROW AT 09:15 LIVE WEB WITH WORLD SAILING, CHINA SPORTS INDUSTRY GROUP AND ROYAL NEW ZEALAND YACHT SQUADRON.

The Foiling Film Festival has found its winners. Last night, in the 14th-century Palazzo dei Capitani in Malcesine, the awards ceremony of the first edition of the world festival entirely dedicated to the cinematography of “flying boats” took place. It was a very important moment for Beatrice Colombo Serri, curator of the event, who commented at the end: “As a first edition it was a real success and huge satisfaction. I am convinced that with this review the interest and desire were born in many directors and producers, to create more and more video and documentary content to tell the fantastic world of foil. For the next editions, I expect many more participants. We have plans for more events and appearances to run these wonderful short and long metrics collected.”

The award for best foiling film of the year went to the medium-length film “GONE WITH THE WING” by Andrew Englisch, Australia (2022), who was in the audience with his family. It retraces Englisch’s own first world attempt to cross by Wingfoil, the treacherous Bass Strait (between Australia and Tasmania). An ordeal that helped him recover at a very difficult time. “Coming from Australia to the world’s first Foiling Film Festival is such an honor and something I could never have imagined. To win the award for best film is astounding because I only started foiling 12 months ago, I’m 55 years old and I want to tell everyone that foiling is amazing, it’s an attraction for all ages, it has changed my life and I hope it will change the lives of so many others.”

Best Series 2022 is “CHALLENGER FOR NOW” an 8-episode production by America’s Cup team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, represented for the occasion here on Lake Garda by Stefano Baruffaldi, the drone-man and design team member involved in the filming of the film. “It is thanks to this experience that my collaboration with Luna Rossa began. It was a real turning point. I will remember it for the rest of my life from a human and professional point of view.”

The prize for best short film was awarded to “VENT” by Pietro M. Bressan, Italy. It is an intimate tale between Olympic champion Ruggero Tita and the wind, or rather the winds of Garda, seen as magical presences that accompany the sailor in his training discipline.FOILING WEEK™ is the first and only global event dedicated to the amazing foiling boats, their sailors, designers and manufacturers.

The award for best story goes to “LINKED OUT – VENDÈE GLOBE” by Thomas Sametin, which presents the genesis, difficulties and satisfactions of French skipper Thomas Ruyant in building his boat with Vendèe Globe 2020 as a goal.

To “RRD A FOILING TRIP IN SOUTH AFRICA” by Stefano Ricci went the prize for best editing. A road-movie set in South Africa that uses compelling, adrenaline-pumping images to chronicle the evolutions of Ricci and his Wingfoil. “We weren’t realizing the fact that we were making memories, we were just having fun,” the star commented on the occasion.

The allure of the world’s biggest waves ridden on a foil board. These were the main ingredients for the best cinematography award that went to “LIFT FOILS_LAIRD AT NAZARÉ” by Patrick Weiland, USA.

As best film set on Lake Garda, presented to the winners by Livio Concini Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Malcesine, partner of the first edition of the Foiling Film Festival, was awarded “Enduring Garda” by Lamberto Cesari and Luca Carton. A work capable of conveying the emotions and beauty of this magical stretch of water by sailing from north to south aboard a Nacra 17 and then returning by land racing over the mountains on the Veneto side of the lake.

The Festival was inaugurated by the out-of-competition “premiere” of “FlyingNikka – The making of…,” by Roman director Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti, which traces the genesis of the first mini-maxi foiler for offshore racing by Italian owner and skipper Roberto Lacorte, who said on the festival stage, “The evening was really engaging, the ideal context for the presentation of the film on FlyingNikka. I would like to thank Luca Rizzotti and the Foiling Week organization for giving us this opportunity. I also extend my congratulations to them for putting on an event that is unquestionably the absolute benchmark of the foiling context internationally.”

Please note that tomorrow, July 1, at 09:15 a.m. (Italian time), FOILING WEEK™ President Luca Rizzotti and Bruno Giuntoli, Operations Director FOILING WEEK™, together with Scott Over, Commercial Director of World Sailing (world sailing federation), the Sailing Manager of CHINA SPORT INDUSTRY GROUP, Mrs. Li Li, and Aaron Young, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, will present live streaming of the guidelines of the FOILING YOUTH WORLD SERIES, a multiclass team championship dedicated to the new generation of world foiling.

Those wishing to follow the presentation can log on to the following URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlzCcj7Wwmc

FOILING WEEK, SPRINT ENTRIES RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES FOR THE NINTH EDITION

  • OVER 200 REGISTRANTS REPRESENTING 21 NATIONS, IT’S THE FOILING WEEK WITH THE HIGHEST ATTENDANCE EVER
  • 14 FORUMS WITH INTERNATIONAL GUESTS WILL EXPLORE THE EVOLUTION OF FOIL, SUSTAINABILITY AND GENDER EQUALITY
  • SUMOTH CHALLENGE, SECOND EDITION, THE WORLD’S GREAT UNIVERSITIES CHALLENGE EACH OTHER TO DESIGN AND BUILD THE FASTEST OF BOATS WHILE RESPECTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
  • FOILING FILM FESTIVAL, FIRST EDITION – WORLD PREMIERE OF DOCU-FILM ON FLYINGNIKKA

FOILING WEEK 2022 regattas begin tomorrow, June 30, and until Sunday, July 3, Fraglia Vela Malcesine will host more than 200 foilers from 21 nations around the world. For the first time in nine editions, the organizers found themselves forced to impose a maximum limit on entries, confirming the growing attention this kermesse continues to receive from flying boat enthusiasts around the world.

Absolute record number of participants divided this year into 5 classes: Moth, WASZP, ONEFLY, ETF26 and Wingfoil.

The Moth class, which has always been the queen of FOILING WEEK, registers more than 70 entries and excellent names such as Ruggero Tita, Nacra Gold Medalist at the Tokyo 2022 Olympics together with Caterina Banti. Britons Dylan Fletcher, Gold in the Men’s 49er class in Tokyo in 2020 and Paul Goodison, Laser Olympic Champion in 2008 in Beijing and Moth World Champion right here in Malcesine in 2017.

In the WASZP class, which was first introduced at FOILING WEEK in 2016, there are more than 60 athletes at the start.

Conceived for absolute speed and inspired by the multihulls of the 34th America’s Cup, there will be 8 ETF26 catamarans on the starting line this year, for the third time scheduled at FOILING WEEK.

More than 20 athletes are registered in the Wingfoil class, the booming new board trend that combines windsurfing, kitesurfing and foiling. You fly over the water dragged by a very light inflatable structure wing standing on a very compact foiling board.

During the week, the public in attendance will have the opportunity to test sail numerous foil classes following reservations.

As for the innovative SuMoth Challenge project, in its second edition, there are four boats submitted to the final stage by as many universities: PoliTo Sailing Team (Turin, Italy), Rafale ETS Montreal (Montreal, Canada), Soton SuMoth Team (Southampton, UK), PoliMi Sailing Team (Milan, Italy). An innovative academic year-long project involving the design, planning, engineering and production of a functioning, high-performance monohull foiler boat inspired by principles of sustainability and low construction costs.

Fourteen forums are scheduled from Thursday, June 30th to Saturday, July 2nd and moderated by New York Times sailing editor Chris J. Museler.

State-of-the-art foiling, academic design, innovation, sustainability, gender equality and disability will be addressed. Moments where it will be possible to listen, ask questions and meet with certain leading experts in these areas. It will be possible to follow the forums through the individual links below, in case of problems please refer to the links from the website or via Facebook and Instagram.

PROGRAM

June 30:

  • 10:00 AM – SuMoth Discussions #1 with PoliMi & Rafele
  • 11:00 AM – SuMoth Discussions #2
  • 12:00 PM – SuMoth 2022 S1 Evaluation.
  • 02:00 PM – GoPro: Controlling Culture, Gender Balance, Equity of Pro Foiling Events. Guests:
    • Josie Gliddon – Female Sailor of the Year (Foiling Week Awards), founding member Magenta Project, Moth Champion
    • Terry Hutchinson – 2-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, 11-time World Champion, Skipper of American Magic (America’s Cup)
    • Paige Alms – 2-time WSL Big Wave World Champion, Foil Surfing Champion
    • Mirco Babini – IKA President, pioneer of the Foil event

July 1:

July 2:

  • 09:00 AM – Special Guest: #BackTheBid
    • Chris Ballois, Paralympic Kite
    • Alessandro Lancelotti, Paralympic Kite
  • 10:00 AM – FLOW: Exploring Flow State in foil piloting (education/safety). Guests:
    • Clarisse Cremer, Vendee Globe solo ocean sailor.
    • Julia Mancuso, Olympic ski gold medalist and surf/wing foiler
    • Charlie “Pooch” Pucharello, former F-14 fighter pilot.
  • 11:00 AM – More than Games: Olympic Foiling Fallout (Is foiling leaving developing nations behind? Does foiling open doors for women?) Guests:
    • Tara Pacheco, Olympian
    • Shahar Zubari, Israeli Olympic coach
    • Noora Ruskola, Kite Foil Olympic Campaigner
  • 01:00 PM – NextGen Foil pathways Focus Group. Guests
    • Hattie Rogers, SUMOTH and UK foiler
    • Pearl Lattanzi, top Hawaiian youth foiler
    • Rowan Gyde, Manta5
    • Luca Devoti, FD Switch
    • Dave Clark, UFO
    • Riley Schutt, US Sailing R&D
  • 02:00 PM – Special Guest: DAVE KALAMA, Foil Pioneer

Tonight at 7:30 p.m., there will be the awards ceremony of the Film Foiling Festival, a film festival dedicated to boats that fly that will be opened by the out-of-competition “premiere” of “FlyingNikka – The making of…,” by Roman director Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti, which traces the genesis of the first mini-maxi foiler for offshore racing by Italian owner and skipper Roberto Lacorte. The evening is reserved for FOILING WEEK participants. On Saturday, July 2, it will be possible to see Foiling Film Festival films with free admission (subject to availability), again at Palazzo dei Capitani in Malcesine.

FIRST EDITION OF FOILING FILM FESTIVAL, AWARDS CEREMONY ON JUNE 29

ON JUNE 29 IN MALCESINE THE WINNERS OF THE WORLD FILM FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO FOILING WILL BE AWARDED.
SPECIAL GUEST OUT OF COMPETITION: “FLYINGNIKKA – THE MAKING OF” PREMIERING AT FOILING WEEK.
16 WORKS SELECTED REPRESENTING SEVEN NATIONS.

There are 16 splendid finalists still in the running for a prize in this first edition of the Foiling Film Festival, the world film festival dedicated to films whose common thread is foiling.

The nominees compete in an “overall” classification for Best Film and in five category classifications as follows: short film (max 5min), editing, photography, screenplay, and series.
Over the past few months works have been coming in from all over the world to the Festival staff coordinated by its curator Beatrice Colombo Serri: “The idea of doing a Festival was born during a coffee with Luca Rizzotti (Founder and President FOILING WEEK), we were thinking of making a documentary on the history of foiling. Having previously worked for Banff and Ocean Film Festival the connection was virtually immediate and here we are in January looking for the best videos on flying water toys.”

The winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 29, at the end of an invitation-only evening to be held at the Palazzo dei Capitani in Malcesine. On July 2, the program will be replicated for the public by the City of Malcesine.

The evening of the 29th will be opened by the world premiere screening of the out-of-competition work “FlyingNikka – The making of…,” by Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti (Alessandro Smarrelli on editing), which shows the FlyingNikka project, from the genesis of the idea to the first unforgettable “flight” off the coast of Valencia, of the first “full foiling” yacht in the Mini Maxi class, designed for offshore racing. An innovative and revolutionary challenge strongly desired by its owner and skipper Roberto Lacorte.
The 49′ film by Lacorte’s team traces the most important moments of a challenge destined to leave its mark and open a new path in sports sailing. Unseen and spectacular images, interviews with the protagonists – Roberto Lacorte and team members. A full immersion full of passion and love for sailing accompanied by original music composed by Manfredi D’Antoni and Danilo Sentini.
At the end of the screening Roberto Lacorte and some members of the team will be on hand to answer questions from guests.

List of works selected for the final evening:
MOTH SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPS 2022 – Aidan Neville Gordon, New Zealand, 2022
PHOENIX-REBORN FROM – Charles-Alexandre Vanroyen, France
GONE WITH THE WING – Andrew Englisch & Hamish Pattison, Australia, 2022
LINKEDOUT – Thomas SAMETIN, France, 2021
I AM ADDICTED – Jens Breuer, Germany, 2021
LIFT FOILS_LAIRD AT NAZARÉ – Patrick Weiland, U.S.A.
VENT – Piero M. Bressan, Italy
RRD A FOILING TRIP IN SOUTH AFRICA – Roberto Ricci, South Africa
110KM WINGFOIL MISSION FROM GREAT BARRIER ISLAND TO AUCKLAND NZ – Hayley & Sam Thom, New Zealand
A DREAM CALLED VENDÈE – Niccolò Maria Pagani, Italy
KITEFOIL AROUND FRANCE – Arnaud Scius, France
ENDURING GARDA – Luca Carton, Italy, 2022
FLITEBOARD NAZARÉ – Rod Caetano, Australia, 2022
58BPM – BEATS PER MINUTE – Marco Zingaretti, Italy
CHALLENGER FOR NOW_LUNA ROSSA – Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team, Italy, 2020
FLITEBOARD HARMONY, PURITY & POSSIBILITIES – Hugo and Ross Turner, Australia, 2022

Due to time constraints, it will not be possible to offer the full version of all the works in the competition.

FOILING WEEK enjoys the Patronage of the Veneto Region.

La Foiling Week ottiene il prestigioso status di Special Event

Foiling Week aggiunge un nuovo traguardo al suo palmares. Dopo essere il primo evento italiano a essere esportato all’estero, Australia e Nord America, da oggi è ufficialmente uno Special Event di Word Sailing.

Questo nuovo riconoscimento permetterà a Foiling Week, nato sulle rive del Lago di Garda nel 2014, di raggiungere sempre più persone e di collaborare con importanti realtà nazionali e internazionali specializzate nel settore, così da rendere ancora più ricco il programma di questo tanto atteso appuntamento della vela foiling.

La Foiling Week si unisce a eventi ad alto profilo internazionale che godono del medesimo status come: America’s Cup, The Ocean Race, SailGP, World Match Racing Tour, PWA World Tour, Star Sailors League e GKA Kite World Tour.

“La Foiling Week non è solo un evento, ma una comunità che promuove il cambiamento. Non ci interessiamo unicamente al foiling e alla vela in senso lato”, afferma Luca Rizzotti, fondatore di Foiling Week, “Creiamo opportunità, con l’obiettivo di favorire innanzitutto il progresso, non solo tecnologico. Le iniziative dell’evento sono ben note nel mondo velico proprio perché vanno oltre lo sport. Le partnership con università, produttori e organizzazioni non-profit sulle tematiche di responsabilità ambientale e sociale sono esempio lampante di questo. Siamo tutti connessi e dobbiamo crescere come gruppo, insieme e responsabilmente” conclude Rizzotti.

La Foiling Week è l’unico Special Event di World Sailing cresciuto negli anni grazie all’appoggio della propria community di appassionati. L’evento include, infatti, un importante forum durante il quale si condividono idee e si collabora creativamente per migliorare l’evento stesso, l’evoluzione del foiling e delle classi veliche volanti.

Lo status di Special Event garantisce che World Sailing riconosca e ratifichi formalmente tutti gli eventi organizzati da Foiling Week. Questo comporta, anche, che la Foiling Week segua gli obiettivi fissati dalla World Sailing’s Sustainability Agenda 2030, oltre che la collaborazione con il Progetto Magenta al fine di promuovere le opportunità di vela professionale per le donne, e l’accesso al World Sailing Trust, fondo che finanzia un insieme di iniziative mirate ad aumentare l’accessibilità alla vela e promuovere pratiche sostenibili nello sport e nella produzione di imbarcazioni.

Come parte del progetto, tutti gli Special Events praticano una strategia di sostenibilità globale con principi allineati secondo quanto stabilito dalla World Sailing Sustainability Agenda 2030, impegnandosi a lavorare con World Sailing per raggiungere rapidamente gli obiettivi.

David Graham, CEO di World Sailing, ha dichiarato: “L’aggiunta di Foiling Week al nostro gruppo di Special Events è entusiasmante per il futuro della vela. La crescita dell’evento è stata fenomenale da constatare, andando ben oltre le sole regate. Siamo lieti di lavorare al loro fianco per creare nuove strade di partnership e opportunità e per promuovere l’agenda di sostenibilità di World Sailing. La Foiling Week ha già fatto grandi passi avanti in questo settore, e non vediamo l’ora di imparare gli uni dagli altri e di ispirare un cambiamento positivo in tutto il mondo della vela”.

Il mantra di Foiling Week è “connect, cooperate, change”. Fin dall’inizio Foiling Week  è stato anticipatore in molti ambiti. Le prime prove di foiling dedicate a donne e bambini; le prime iniziative di sostenibilità come la riduzione delle quote di iscrizione per i partecipanti che aderiscono al car-pooling e l’eliminazione della plastica monouso fin dal primo anno.
Gianni Testa, presidente della Fraglia Vela Malcesine, circolo presso il quale si è tenuto l’evento sin dalla prima edizione, è entusiasta del progresso di Foiling Week: “Sono stato affascinato dalla rivoluzione del foiling e sono contento che il nostro yacht club abbia sostenuto la crescita di un evento che ora è diventato un caposaldo per il mondo del foiling”.

Oggi, Foiling Week connette i velisti foiling di tutto il mondo in modo formativo ed entusiasmante, promuovendo i propri valori di sicurezza, sostenibilità e accessibilità.

L’evento è leader nel portare responsabilità, creatività e divertimento nello sport e nell’industria ed è stato riconosciuto per:
– Pubblicazione della prima ricerca scientifica in assoluto sul monitoraggio degli infortuni e per la creazione di soluzioni di sicurezza;
– Creazione di accesso per le donne alla vela attraverso  partnership come il Progetto Magenta;
– il SuMoth Challenge: una sfida globale, che ha riunito studenti di tutto il mondo per progettare, produrre e navigare su un moth sostenibile. Parte di ogni Foiling Week dalla sua introduzione nel 2019, quest’anno è stata selezionato per il World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Sustainability Award.

Avendo tenuto eventi in Australia, Nord America ed Europa, Foiling Week è diventata una presenza costante e ripetibile nello sport, sia fisicamente che online; lavorando con World Sailing per connettere, collaborare e apportare cambiamenti positivi nello sport e oltre potrà avere un impatto ancora più determinante.

Informazioni sugli eventi speciali di World Sailing

Lo status di World Sailing Special Event prevede che l’organo di governo mondiale riconosca formalmente e sancisca i principali eventi velici internazionali. World Sailing supporta le realtà prescelte con attività promozionali e di marketing, Ufficiali di Regata, Regole di Regata, Regolamenti, norme antidoping e di nazionalità.

Gli otto eventi speciali del World Sailing includono America’s Cup, The Ocean Race, SailGP, World Match Racing Tour, Star Sailors League, PWA World Tour e i tour mondiali freestyle della Global Kitesports Association e ora Foiling Week.

A proposito di Foiling Week

Foiling Week è un’associazione sportiva e culturale senza fini di lucro il cui scopo è promuovere il foiling e renderlo più sicuro, accessibile e sostenibile, puntando a fornire alla comunità del foiling la rete e le risorse per crescere nello sport della vela.

Il primo evento della Foiling Week si è svolto sulle rive del Lago di Garda presso la ventosa Fraglia Vela Malcesine nel 2014. Riders, designer e ingegneri hanno avuto l’opportunità di condividere le loro idee sui foil, il riciclo dei materiali per la costruzione e la creazione di barche foiling, dando forma al futuro dello sport.

L’evento è leader nel portare responsabilità e creatività nello sport e nell’industria. Ha portato a innovazioni tra cui:
– La creazione di un database mondiale che traccia gli infortuni nel foiling e le soluzioni per l’allenamento e nell’abbigliamento per affrontare gli incidenti. Questo è diventato il primo documento scientifico pubblicato su una rivista leader con ripercussioni in tutto il mondo della vela;
– Partnership con università per la costruzione sostenibile di imbarcazionei come la SuMoth Challenge, dove gli studenti progettano e realizzano un Moth Internazionale interamente con materiale riciclabile e riciclato. Il processo di progettazione e costruzione utilizza valutazioni del ciclo di vita per i nuovi prodotti al fine di migliorare la sostenibilità in ogni fase del progetto.

Queste iniziative si basano sui pilastri ed elementi fondamentali di Foiling Week, inclusi i Foiling Awards che riconoscono annualmente l’innovazione e il contributo individuale ai valori dell’evento di sicurezza, sostenibilità e accessibilità, e la Foiling Hall of Fame appena lanciata.

 

2021 FOILING WEEK Final Report

Foiling Week 2021 has come to a close after an action-packed 4-day weekend of racing, forums as well as multiple initiatives.
All of the regattas were supported by Sailmon Instrument (https://sailmon.com/max/) with 5 classes involved: Moth, Waszp, ETF 26, Onefly and Wing Foil.

The Moth racing in partnership with Liberty Bitcoin Fund (https://www.libertybitcoinfund.com/) saw a fleet of 58 boats give life to spectacular action on the water, with Tom Slingsby from Australia taking the event win after a near-flawless performance. Italy’s Ruggero Tita came second, and Hong Kong’s Nicolai Jacobsen took third.
Female and male sailors competed together with awards given to the top three women; Lisa Schweigert came in first, followed by Franziska Mäge and Marie Soler.

The 30-strong Waszp fleet was won by Paul Hameeteman, followed in second by Charles Cullen and in third Jeppe Borch. For the women, Margherita Porro from Italy got first, Nora Dosksrød from Norway second and Mathilde Robertstad also from Norway third.
The OneFly fleet saw Aymeric Blin from Switzerland come away with the win, followed by France’s Samuel Lelievre and Sébastien Aubord also from Switzerland.

Amongst the ETF 26, the ABC Enterprise du Morbihan team from France took the event win, Youth Foiling Team also from France came second and Toroa from England came third.

The WingFoil racing saw Francesco Capuzzo from Italy come away with the win after a very strong showing; Riccardo Zorzi from Italy took second and Pietro Leon Kiaulehn took third; Pietro Migliorini was first of the grandmasters.
The wing foils also took part in an Air Style competition where Riccardo Zorzi took first place, Francesco Capuzzo second and Stefan Spiessberger third.

 

With a focus on youth as well as promoting sustainability, accessibility, and safety, the three Foiling Weeks pillars, Stages 1 and 2 of 2021 Foiling SuMoth Challenge, sponsored by 11th Hour Racing, took place during the event.
Polito Sailing Team (Politecnico di Torino; Italy) took the win on the Stage 1 design phase followed by PoliMi (Politecnico di Milano; Italy) in second place and Rafale ETS (ETS Montreal; Canada) in third. It was a close battle as all teams had innovative ideas in both the sustainable and technological plan for their sustainable Moth concepts. With great commitment and passion, PoliTo managed to complete and sail test their SuMoth Concept “Keth” and set the first speed record in the SuMoth era and taking home the 2021 SuMoth Challenge Stage 2 prize.

All regatta prizes were made from recycled carbon fibre composites supplied by our partner Microtex composites (https://microtexcomposites.com/); a big thanks also go out to Gac Pindar (https://gacpindar.com/), our logistics partner, Helly Hansen (https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_it), our official clothing partner, our sustainability partner Torqeedo (https://www.torqeedo.com/en) and Polynt (https://www.polynt.com/),

The Foiling Week forums, sponsored by Gurit Group (https://www.gurit.com/), in co-partnership with Persico Marine (https://www.persicomarine.com/), brought up some interesting discussion subjects including; the accessibility of the new Olympic foiling classes, the future of America’s Cup from designers and organizational point of view including Guillaume Verdier, Aaron Young and Robert Bicket, the World Sailing Speed Record with SP80 and Syroco, open discussion about gender equity with the Magenta Project members, the future of electric foiling transportation with key players in the field and a sustainability discussion with the SuMoth Challenge teams and NorthernLight composites along with many others that can be seen in replay on all Foiling Week social media channels (Facebook/Youtube).

But that’s not all that went down at Foiling Week 2021; many people felt for the first time the joy of foiling thanks to the Manta5 electric foiling bikes from New Zealand or the Lift electric foil boards.
Some even had their first taste of flight through the WASZP trials, in collaboration with Europasail, or foiling RS Aero and Wind Surf Foiling supported by the Andrew Simpson Watersport Center Lake Garda.
Also, in collaboration with the Magenta Project, the daily briefings hosted by Liv Mackay,
Margherita Porro and Franziska Mäge helped create a closer group of female sailors in foiling so that in the future there can be more and more women interested in the sport thanks to the support of others competing.

All in all, the Foiling Week 2021 helped bring positivity back to the foiling community so hopefully, we will see more and more events soon; Foiling Week still has a lot of exciting news on events and initiatives to deliver in the near future so stay tuned, but for now, we’ll see you at Foiling Week 2022.

We are all in the same BOTTLE

From July 10th to 14th, at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, Lake Garda, Foiling Week will launch the initiative “We are all in the same bottle”, the goal is to stop single-use plastics on the Lake Garda. #stopusingleuseplastic.

Lake Garda is a shining geographic gem and one of the world’s most famous sailing destinations. From kitesurf and windsurf to mountain bike and climbing, Garda is one of Italy’s most important tourist destination with over 20M visitors yearly. But with its dramatic cliffs and deep blue, inland sea, this lake gives surprising insight into a global pollution problem that won’t go away, without the sort of attention and collaborative efforts the Foiling Week represents.

Local councils and communities already take good care of Lake Garda: the waters are generally considered clean, however, microplastics are in issue. Lake Garda is one of Europe largest alpine lake and its microplastic can end up in downstream rivers and eventually in the Adriatic sea.

The European Union has approved on October 24th a measure to ban single-use plastics from 2021. In Europe some cities, councils, regions have taken the step to ban immediately single-use plastics.
We propose that all city councils on Lake Garda take the same step and ban immediately the use of single-use plastic.

Foiling Weeks are one of world most prominent sailing events, started on Lake Garda in 2014. We consider it our “home base” and care for its future. Sustainability is one of the Foiling Week core values. Single-use plastic is banned from Foiling Week events. For this reason, we started a petition to extend this ban to all the Lake Garda shores.

If you want to sign the petition please follow this link: https://wp.me/p83KMA-1Ck

By supporting Foiling Week and initiatives like these, you are becoming part of a responsible, worldwide community dedicated to innovation and social and environmental progress. As Lake Garda’s waters eventually flow to the sea that connects all nations, we are all in this together, inside the same bottle that is our planet Earth.

 

Foiling Week Regattas (July 10th to 14th)
Within the event, few key elements .are part of the show: First off is the FW Regatta: Moths, Waszp, Flying Phantom Elite, ETF 26 and a plethora of foiling boats grouped in the “all foiler” category will race on the one design race course, and then all together will race the FW Long Distance Race on Saturday.
Regattas will be streamed thanks Sailmon system.

Gurit Forum (July 11th to 13th)
Another compositional mainstay of the event is the world-class Gurit Forum, that will be run in the morning and will have topics such as Foiling Latest Developments and the Foiling Week Design Competitions.

Foiling latest developments (Thursday, July 11th)
Francois Gabart, Hugo Kerhascoet (Macif), Umberto De Luca (69F), Simone Bartesaghi, Renaud Bañuls (Sodebo), Neils Frei e Yves Detrey from Alinghi will show the latest foiling developments on offshore and inshore.

Foiling SuMoth Challenge kick-off workshop (Friday, July 12th)
The Foiling SuMoth Challenge is a competition inspired by the need for more sustainable and efficient sailboat designs and manufacturing methods. The ultimate goal of this competition is to promote sustainable practices by challenging the young naval architecture and engineering students on a friendly, technical, and sportive competition.
The Foiling SuMoth Challenge is sponsored by 11th Hour Racing, an international organization that establishes strategic partnerships within the sailing and maritime communities to promote collaborative, systemic change benefitting the health of our ocean. 11th Hour Racing is proud to support this unique design competition and foster sustainable boat building practices that consider the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the manufacturing process amongst future engineers, designers, and builders.
Participating University students will have the opportunity to discuss how to design and build sustainably an International Moth, plus how to sail it properly together with naval architects, composite builders and foiling coaches.

Multi-Purpose eFoiler submissions presentation (Saturday, July 13th)
The Multi-Purpose eFoiler design challenge is a design competition aimed at professional naval architects, engineers and designers willing to create a revolutionary electric hydrofoil concept.
The goal of this challenge, sponsored by Gurit and Torqeedo, is to encourage and promote energy-efficient transportation of people on the water, by using eco-friendly electric engines and hydrofoils.
The competing naval architects will have 20 minutes each to present their solution.

Here is the link to book your free seat at Gurit Forum: https://wp.me/P83KMA-1DU

Finally, in addition to the traditional Regattas and Forums mentioned, FW will have a Moth coaching by Francesco Bruni and a Waszp Clinic plus Learn To Fly courses and free Foiling Boat Trials by many foiling boats builders.

Foiling Boat Coaching (Wednesday, July 10th)
Francesco Bruni, the recently crowned Moth European champion and helmsman for Luna Rossa Challenge will give out (almost) all his Moth secrets at Foiling Week to all interested Moth sailors participating at the event.

Waszp Clinic. Learn the secrets of boat rigging and set up, how to make your foiling faster and faster. The Waszp clinic is run in cooperation with Europa sail school in Malcesine.

The Link for to book Foiling Coaching is https://wp.me/P83KMA-1E0

Learn to Fly (July 11th to 14th)
Have your “First Flight” RYA 90 minutes course with the opportunity to test sail with professional coaches all different sort of boat.

All the team at the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre (ASWC), Lake Garda, are very excited to team up with Foiling Week from July 10th to 14th. As a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognised training centre, they will be running foiling taster courses from the NEW RYA Foil Training Scheme throughout the four days of Foiling Week.

There will be a range of foiling kit available for both sailing and windsurfing, adults and children, and all tuition will be delivered by RYA qualified Foiling Instructors with RYA taster certificates issued to all those who participate.

The ASWC team is looking forward to showing how accessible foiling can be, offering both sailors and windsurfers the opportunity to experience flying above the water along with the foiling community at Foiling Week.

The Link to join Learn to Fly course: https://wp.me/P83KMA-1DN

Foiling Expo & Boat Trials (July 11th to 14th)
Foiling Expo is an exhibition of foiling dinghies and gears. 69F, BeFoil, Flying Mantis, Pboat and Waszp Quadrofoil will be lined along the shore of the Fraglia Vela Malcesine with their designers and representatives on hand to give guided tours of the craft.
Joined with the Foiling Expo, the Foiling Boat Trials will allow experiencing production foiling boats: it is open to every sailor willing to move into the sailing 3.0. Each boat will be followed closely by a RIB with a coach that will guide the experience and ensure safety.

The trials are reserved to sailors with foiling experience, you can register here: https://wp.me/P83KMA-1DE

We look forward to seeing you at Fraglia Vela Malcesine from Wednesday 10th July to Sunday 14th at the Garda 2019 Foiling Week. Do not miss!

More information
2019 Foiling Week Garda
Slam
Marlow
Polynt
Sailmon
Gurit
Torqeedo
Persico Marine
11th Hour Racing

Foiling SuMoth Challenge Announces New 11th Hour Racing Sponsorship

NEWPORT, RI – U.S. (6 May 2019) — Foiling Week announced today a new sponsorship with 11th Hour Racing to support and promote sustainable boat building practices through the Foiling SuMoth Challenge. This unique design competition challenges students to construct competitive Moth class compliant foilers while also considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the manufacturing process.

photo credit: Guillaume Dupont -Bamboo Boat

Managed by Foiling Week™ — the first and only global event dedicated to the amazingly fast foiling boats, their sailors, designers and builders — the SuMoth Challenge aligns with the event’s key pillars of accessibility, sustainability, and safety. The goal is to provide a foiling experience that is accessible to everyone, to promote environmental and social stewardship, and ensure the safety of the foiling community on the water.

Through this sponsorship with 11th Hour Racing, and by harnessing the power of sport and education, we will demonstrate with the best naval design students how sustainability can play a role in high performance,” noted Luca Rizzotti, Founder of Foiling Week. “We believe the foiling community understands that innovation, sustainability and performance are all connected: the next generation of yacht designers will have an amazing opportunity to learn and experiment using the latest tools and technologies. The future of sailing and the health of the seas will have new knowledgeable and enthusiastic ambassadors.

The Foiling SuMoth Challenge, developed as a student competition, provides the opportunity to bring innovative and creative designs to the sport, avoiding “business as usual” practices, which often focus solely on the economic success of products. The Challenge encourages students to design high-performance boats, while considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of boat building.

We are excited to support the Foiling SuMoth Challenge and the innovative concepts and designs that the students will bring to the table,” said Jeremy Pochman, 11th Hour Racing Co-Founder and Strategic Director. “With a focus on low-carbon emission practices, the use of bio-based materials, and strongly encouraging students to upcycle leftover materials, the Challenge is poised to produce inspirational concepts for sustainable boat building. We are also thrilled to note that scoring encourages a minimum of one female team member, helping diversify participation in Foiling Week.

photo credit: Guillaume Dupont -Bamboo Boat

To date, six teams have already announced their participation in the challenge. 11th Hour Racing’s funding will support the sustainability principles and objectives of the SuMoth Challenge, and also team travel to Foiling Week 2020 in Lake Garda, Italy, where teams will compete with their fully designed boats.

Additionally, the 11th Hour Racing sponsorship will provide participating teams access to MarineShift360’s Life Cycle Assessment Tool, which will enable them to understand what the environmental footprint of their design will be over its full life cycle – from cradle to grave.

Rules and registration for the Foiling SuMoth Challenge are available on this link.

About 11th Hour Racing
11th Hour Racing establishes strategic partnerships within the sailing and maritime communities to promote collaborative, systemic change benefitting the health of our ocean – one degree at a time. Since 2010, 11th Hour Racing has been harnessing the power of sport with an innovative and comprehensive approach through three primary areas of engagement: Sponsorships, Grantees, and Ambassadors.

About Foiling SuMoth Challenge
The Foiling SuMoth Challenge is a student competition that provides the opportunity to bring innovative and creative designs to the sport, avoiding “business as usual” practices, which often focus solely on the economic success of products. The Challenge encourages students to design high-performance boats while considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of boat building.

America’s Cup sailors and designers win big at 2018 Foiling Awards

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.

More info
Design competitions
Torqeedo
Gurit
Persico Marine
Movendo Tecnology