Ainslie leads way as ‘F1 on water’ seeks to smash 100kph barrier
Sailgp returns this weekend with exotic locations, world’s best sailors and hi-tech boats built to break speed records
With more than 300 shipwrecks dotting its waters, Bermuda is better known for sinking boats than flying boats. But this weekend, some of the fastest yachts in the world could shatter speed records on the tiny archipelago in the North Atlantic.
Season three of Sailgp, the global series dubbed “Formula One on water”, starts today with the F50 catamarans used by the 10 teams expected to reach up to 100kph (62mph, 54 knots) in the right conditions.
“We have been hitting 52 knots in practice this week,” says Matt Gotrel, the former Olympic oarsman who is now a grinder on the British challenger helmed by Ben Ainslie. “And there’s definitely more in there. It’s just whether the conditions allow.”
It is not just a question of the conditions, it is a question of physics. Hydrofoils – appendages bolted on to the bottom of a hull or board that provide lift, greatly reducing a boat’s drag – are incredible tools for generating speed. But at a certain point they come up against a phenomenon called “cavitation”, when the water around the foils starts “boiling” due to the difference in pressure between one side and the other. This creates a loss of lift, and instability. It was believed that cavitation occurred at about 50 knots. But more efficient foils, better boat handling, smaller and lighter wings and warmer waters can have an impact. “In season one we were seeing cavitation at around 49 knots,” Gotrel explains. “That’s why it was such a big moment when we broke the 50-knot barrier. But now, with the smaller, 18-metre wings that were brought in last year, we’re seeing much faster speeds.”
Last summer, Ainslie’s team set a Sailgp record of 53.1 knots in practice ahead of the Denmark round. In terms of race boats, only American Magic, the New York Yacht Club’s challenger for the last America’s Cup, has gone faster, registering 53.3 knots. It is eminently possible a boat could top that this season, breakby ing the 100kph mark in the process. “I think it’s possible. A lot of it is down to the piloting,” Gotrel says.
“The more time we spend sailing these boats, the better we get at sailing them closer to the limit. Last year, we didn’t actually do that much racing with the 18-metre wings because we kept getting light-weather weekends. Hopefully this year we can really see what these boats are capable of.”
Organisers will be hoping for some spectacular weekends as they look to develop a series that has grown steadily since its debut season in 2019 without ever cutting through into the mainstream. Now comprising 10 teams, and boasting pretty much all the world’s top helmsmen, including Ainslie, Pete Burling, Tom Slingsby and Nathan Outteridge, Sailgp certainly has the raw ingredients. Nor is the F1 on water epithet an idle comparison.
Sailgp features the fastest boats, best sailors, exotic locations and live television (Sky Sports in the UK).
The drawback has always been the relatively paltry number of races per year ( just five in the first season, then eight in the second). But with 10 venues confirmed for 2022-23 – including new races in Chicago, Copenhagen, Dubai, Singapore and New Zealand – plus an 11th due to be announced shortly, there are hopes season three can achieve lift-off.
The America’s Cup may still be professional sailing’s holy grail, but Gotrel is adamant there is a place for a one-design series featuring the best sailors in the world. “Not only have you got all the best sailors, you’ve got them all on the start line, at the same time, in the same boats,” he points out. “It’s very cool.”
Teams will again have to include at least one woman – the GB boat this weekend has former Olympic sailor Nikki Boniface on board – and will again be racing for a final jackpot of $1million (£820,000). “We made too many mistakes last year,” Gotrel admits of a season in which GB finished fourth behind winners Australia. “But we know we’re capable of beating anyone out there.”
And the 100kph barrier? Gotrel smiles. “No one actually goes for that,” he says. “The speed will find you, not the other way around. On the day we set the record, I wasn’t even on the boat after an earlier incident in which I cracked my head on a pedestal and had to get some stitches. It’s seat-of-the-pants stuff.”