The Birth of Foiling in the America's Cup

Two years out from AC36 in 2021, as quiet as it seems from all the America’s Cup teams, you can rest assured there are plenty of innovative ideas being tested within design offices around the world that could be the next quantum leap forward in technology on or off the water. As an example, this is what Emirates Team New Zealand were doing at this stage of the campaign prior to the 2013 America’s Cup.

[@wattynz1]

That poor fella sitting on top of the test rig being towed haha

[@GrantHodgsonWnNZ]

I remember a Q-class with a foiling rudder on Hamilton lake in about 1965-6? It used to plane along down wind then step up on to a series of small wings coming out horizontally from the rudder...

[@Scottyhutch1]

Kiwi ingenuity at its finest 👌🏽

[@kimohoganesq]

Especially love the Trimaran !!!!! :)

[@JohnWilsonSD]

I see my buddy Pete Melvin at the beginning.

[@out95]

You talk a good story, however this was not the first use of foils in the Americas Cup. Think back to the Blue Arrow Challenge from 1988. Even the production technology of the Hobie Wind Rider Rave predates Americas Cup usage.

[@antsbull3370]

nice try, Blue Arrow didn't ever sail competitively. Next.

[@out95]

@@antsbull3370 the response of a mighty small brain. NEXT