Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

'Game changer:' SailGP confirms new T-Foils will be rolled out fleet-wide beginning January 2025

by SailGP 14 Oct 2024 02:35 PDT
Canada SailGP Team helmed by Phil Robertson practice with the new T-Foils ahead of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix in Sydney, Australia © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

SailGP has confirmed that its new high-speed T-Foils will be added to its entire international fleet of F50s in January 2025, ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland.

SailGP CEO Russell Coutts said the development would be a 'game changer', anticipating the league's latest upgrade would bring faster speeds and the most competitive racing to date.

The global racing championship has carried out testing over the past 18 months at venues around the world, with a number of teams getting first-hand experience of the new test foils in training. The Canada SailGP Team clocked 101.98 km/h (in a wind speed of 32 km/h) using the new foils while testing in San Francisco, the fastest-ever speed registered on an F50.

The T-Foils will replace the existing L-Foils that have been used since SailGP's inception in 2019. Constructed from machined titanium and carbon, the high-speed T-Foils have thinner sections than the current L-Foils, reducing the drag at high speed.

Commenting on the new enhancement, SailGP CEO Russell Coutts said: "The addition of T-Foils next season will be a game changer for the sport and SailGP, as part of our continued evolution to produce faster and more entertaining racing. Alongside the existing innovative technology onboard our F50s, the T-Foils will enable teams to have more control at high speed and better performance. One of the big surprises has been the increased performance when sailing upwind, approximately 5.5 km/h faster."

Coutts said the foils would also level the playing field for new teams joining the league - and create a learning curve for even the most experienced crews: "With the change impacting the entire fleet, no team will have more experience using these foils, which will likely level the playing field. Fans may be set for a new pecking order and some surprise results next season, which should make for a great spectacle."

SailGP has had a long-term ambition to introduce T-Foils, which have been specifically designed to improve performance, control and safety of the F50s at high speeds. They are also less prone to damage when subjected to high negative loads in a nose-dive which has been an issue with the original foils.

Safety was also a key consideration in the upgrade. In addition to providing more control and performance, the outer tips of the T-Foils - which protrude outside the hulls - have been designed to break off in the event of a high-impact boat on boat collision. Further testing and refinement of the T-Foils will be carried out ahead of Auckland, before final adoption across the fleet.

In addition to the high-speed T-Foils, SailGP is also in the process of producing new light-wind foils, designed to ensure the F50s are able to get up onto the foils at almost 3 km/h less wind than currently feasible.

Ahead of testing in Dubai, which is where SailGP's opening event of its 2024/2025 will take place, Coutts said, "I expect the light-wind foils to have an even bigger impact on our racing and the competition as a whole. It will provide faster-paced, more entertaining racing for the athletes and fans in lighter winds and provide greater certainty of racing within the targeted broadcast window - irrespective of conditions."

Racing full circle around the world, SailGP's 2025 Season will be the league's most expansive to date with events spanning five continents. Kicking off in Dubai on November 23-24, 2024, the global racing championship will make stops in iconic destinations, including Rio de Janeiro, New York, Sydney and Geneva. SailGP has confirmed an 11-team lineup will be on the startline in Dubai, with a 12th national team joining the fleet at the second event of the season, in Auckland in January 2025.

Related Articles

Maritimo M600 Offshore Flybridge American debut
On full display at the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show Maritimo's focus and dedication to consistent new model introduction is once again on full display at the 2025 Palm Beach International Boat Show. Posted today at 2:10 pm
Ava Yachts sells first Kando85 Model
Constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure AvA Yachts is delighted to announce that the first hull of its Kando85 model has been sold with Maria Razumi from Smart Yachts introducing the buyer. Delivery is scheduled for early 2026. Posted on 15 Mar
Sea.AI makes U.S. debut of Watchkeeper
At the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 Sea.AI is making waves at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 with the official U.S. launch of Watchkeeper, its newest safety system. Posted on 15 Mar
Introducing the Hinckley 41
Commanding power, timeless elegance The new Hinckley 41 is a masterclass in precision, craftsmanship, and refined performance. Propelled by triple Mercury Verado V10 outboards, it glides across the water with unshakable confidence, reaching speeds of nearly 60 mph. Posted on 15 Mar
Azimut attends Palm Beach International Boat Sjpw
World premiere of the Seadeck 6 Sundeck Version The world premiere of the Seadeck 6 Sundeck Version and the two American debuts of the Seadeck 7 and Fly 62 lead the Azimut lineup. Giorgio Sarti, in his new role as Azimut Americas Sales Manager, will welcome owners and enthusiasts at the stand. Posted on 14 Mar
Celebrating 30 years of Palm Beach Motor Yachts
With 3 models on display at the Palm Beach Boat Show The Palm Beach International Boat Show will take place March 19-23, along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, directly across from Palm Beach Island. Posted on 14 Mar
Baglietto expands range with new T54
This new model's classic and slender lines preserve the timeless beauty of the range Baglietto's range expands with a new 54m named T54 under 500GT pencilled by Francesco Paszkowski Design. Posted on 14 Mar
Ferretti Group brings innovation to Palm Beach
With six incredible yachts at the Palm Beach International Boat Show Ferretti Group brings a fleet of unrivalled beauty and innovation to the Palm Beach International Boat Show. Posted on 12 Mar
Two boats. Same Direction.
You know the deal… It means there's a race on. You know the deal… It means there's a race on. So, the second South Pacific Superyacht Rendezvous is set for August 26 to 29, 2025. If it is even half as much fun and interesting as the first one, then it will bolster its burgeoning reputation. Posted on 9 Mar
Double debut for Tankoa Yachts
At the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 Signed in 2021 and delivered in the summer of 2024, Diamond Binta is a stunning fusion of innovation and elegance, showcasing the latest achievement from the renowned Tankoa Yachts shipyard in Italy. Posted on 8 Mar
Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts