Seven sets sail with Superfoiler Grand Prix

Seven will screen the SuperFoiler Grand Prix in December, an event that will see six international crews racing at six events around Australia.

The SuperFoiler is a three-year development initiative of Australian father son-duo Bill and Jack Macartney, that combines flying with sailing.

New South Wales Sports Minister Stuart Ayres said, “The SuperFoiler Grand Prix is setting new benchmarks in the sport of sail-racing. It’s at the forefront of technology and creating a totally new experience for participants and fans.

“The SuperFoiler Grand Prix brings a new energy to Australian sport with a super-charged league of elite athletes, women and men.”

Foiling technology has triggered the biggest ever technological shift in sail-racing. It means wind powered vessels rise up onto wing-shaped foils, freeing themselves of drag and hitting unprecedented speeds. The vessel literally flies above the surface at speeds up to three times faster than the wind.

The SuperFoiler is 26 feet long, 17 feet wide and weighs 350 kilos. Thus, she generates unprecedented power-to-weight and with aerodynamics and hydrodynamics fully exploited, minimum possible drag. Which means in 10 knots of breeze she’s nudging up towards 30 knots of boat speed.