dna foiling catamaran

Foiling boats of DNA Performance Sailing x

DNA was the boatbuilding division of the Netherlands-based composite manufacturer / company Holland Composites. At DNA we created state-of-the-art foiling multihulls / boats and the line-up consisted the following models:

- F1X Catamaran - TF10 Trimaran - Custom foiling specials and custom parts

As the focus of parent company Holland Composites is now entirely on the construction industry, the production of these boats is a thing of the past.

F1x Foiling Catamaran x

This is the ultimate single handed foiling catamaran: ultramodern, incredibly fast, very manoeuvrable, extremely strong and feather-light, in an aerodynamic and ergonomic design. The perfect total package packed in 1 foiling catamaran. This is the world's coolest boat for single person races and the winner of several A-cat world championships and many other sailing races.

Discover the world's coolest A-Class foiling catamaran on the DNA website!

TF10 Foiling Trimaran x

The TF10 foiling trimaran: a sensational and very pleasant sailing trimaran that represented the new generation of foiling multihull boats. The design of the TF10 is extremely well designed and combined with all the positive features and characteristics of previous generations. All these elements work together to create a perfectly controllable foiling trimaran for every ambitious foiling sailor.

The TF10 is a one-design foiling multihull sailboat, with passionate group of owners with their own TF10 sailing class. This ensures that the boats remain competitive, without the need for repeated tinkering or expensive modifications.

Discover all specifications of the TF10 trimaran

Custom Foiling Specials and Custom Parts x

For your special and customised carbon custom parts, we are happy to think along with you.

View many examples of special marine carbon solutions made by DNA

Meet the spectacular DNA foiling boats now!

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Fly Above the Water

For those serious about sailing, the G4 foiling catamaran allows its sailors to fly above the water at speeds upwards of 35 knots. With Dutch build quality, this full foiling, full carbon catamaran comes with a customised, automated foil control system and North 3DI sails. Designed with minimal environmental impact in mind, her propeller can regenerate power during sailing while solar panels on deck keep battery levels topped up.

Media Gallery

G4 Through the Lens

Impressive Comfort

When the sails are down, the G4 catamaran has an ample cockpit with outdoor galley for cooking and socialising, plenty of space for day cruising guests and comfortable, well-finished accommodation for up to 6.

As-New Condition

Perfect as a standalone sailboat or as an addition to a high-octane water toy collection on a larger yacht, this cruiser-racer catamaran has been used only lightly by her current Owner.

Performance

Adrenaline-Fuelled Sailing

Constructed for Speed

Lightweight carbon construction, high-volume wave piercing bows and a low-sitting pilothouse that creates a low windage profile allow catamaran G4 to reach sailing speeds of 35 knots and beyond when airborne.

Automated Foil Package

A custom, automated foil package allows for push-button sailing with electronic safety nets for a more relaxed performance sailing experience.

Dutch Build Quality

Built by DNA, the high-performance sailing division of the Dutch-based Holland Composites, the G4 catamaran has been built with the craftsmanship and quality that Dutch yards are known for.

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Published on August 30th, 2016 | by Editor

Forty-Six Foot Foiling Catamaran heads to USA

Published on August 30th, 2016 by Editor -->

Thijs van Riemsdijk of Holland Composites BV provides this update from their facilities in Lelystad, The Netherlands… After eight months of hard work , we have splashed and shipped the DNA’s first 46-foot F4 foiling catamaran for sea trials and commissioning in the United States. Our project partners Shannon Falcone and Tommy Loughborough of Exile Expeditions, will coordinate operations in Newport, RI in early September.

Our goal at DNA has been to design and build the most stable foiling platform available in a production catamaran. We have created an accessible boat offering speed and easy handling for those passionate about joining the foiling generation.

The design and manufacturing techniques focused on safety, efficiency and sustained flight in waves with coastal racing in mind. The spacious and unobstructed cockpit includes wheels at the helm, pedestal powered primary winches/hydraulic functions and a fluid layout to allow for a wide variety of sail combinations with limited hands on deck.

To make ownership as cost effective and sensible as possible, the F4 is strict One Design. In choosing our components, we put a lot of effort into gauging the balance between weight, durability, and cost. In most instances we went for reliability and safety factors over weight savings, and by partnering with industry leading suppliers, secured competitive pricing in exchange for class exclusivity. We are hopeful the market will embrace our passion to produce uncompromising foiling craft.

The class will be managed by Exile Expeditions and named the TOUR DE FOIL (TDF). The class management will develop sustainability guidelines and focus on consistency and value in class organization. TDF offers a unique ownership experience, rewarding both on and off the water. We at DNA will focus on craftsmanship and consistency of production and Exile Expeditions is responsible for organizing a world class grand prix racing experience.

Owner Driver racing is where the up and coming talent of our sport meets the network that enables a sustainable career as a professional sailor. Buying a boat is much more than purchasing an asset. It’s the creation of a team, broadening of a community, and investment in the culture and environment that we leave to the next generation.

We have tried to keep the price point as low as possible without compromising safety, performance, or the experience of participating in the TDF. Despite the lack of compromise, the DNA F4 is more affordable than a new TP52, sails at twice the speed, and at a third of the operating cost.

This first boat is being commissioned by Bronco Sailing Team’s Michael Dominguez of Barrington, RI. Dominguez, Loughborough, and Falcone have been sailing together since 2009. Winners of the One Design catamaran class at the NYYC race week in July, they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their next adventure.

“There’s no feeling like foiling,” remarks Dominguez. “For me this was an opportunity to support two exceptional sailors who I have raced with for a long time and to take a small part in moving performance sailing forward with a foiling platform that was exquisitely designed and executed by DNA.”

About DNA F4 The F4 is an all-out strict 46ft One Design racing machine with a target range of 1000nm. The multihull platform blends the performance and efficiency of foiling with the familiarity of a monohull that can be sailed to its potential both inshore and offshore. The flexibility of its deck layout and systems incorporate Shannon’s experience in the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup. http://dnaperformancesailing.com/our-boats/dna-f4-offshore-racer/

About DNA DNA is part of Dutch-based advanced composites constructions company Holland Composites. In addition to 25 years of carbon boat building experience, Holland Composites serves various other markets with niche composite products such as architectural façades and tidal turbine blades. DNA also designed and built various A-class catamarans which have been the platform of choice for the last five World Champions.

About Shannon Falcone Shannon is a 34-year-old professional sailor from Antigua who grew up racing in the Caribbean. He has competed in four America’s Cup campaigns, and was onboard Oracle Team USA for their successful 2013 defense in San Francisco. Furthermore, he has been involved in two Volvo Ocean Races with Puma Ocean Racing and currently races on Comanche, the 100ft super maxi that successfully set a new Transatlantic Monohull World Record a few weeks ago. You can follow Shannon on social media via @racingsf.

About Tommy Loughborough Tommy, also 34 years old, and Shannon met in 2004 racing on the owner driven Swan 68 Chippewa. Tommy has since raced in the international Grand Prix and One Design fleets, specializing in team and project management. His experience within owner-driver racing will guide the F4 One Design class priorities toward meeting the unique needs of the benefactors of sailboat racing. You can follow Tommy on social media via @tloughboro.

Source: Holland Composites BV

Tags: DNA F4 , Holland Composites , Shannon Falcone , Tommy Loughborough , TOUR DE FOIL

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The DNA® A-class catamaran. Five times world champion. Proudly manufactured by Holland Composites. This blog tells you all you wish to know about sailing fast and foiling DNA A-cats..

tuning your DNA

• Toospore rudders 2-3 mm (measure rudders fore and aft at transom level)(always check after reception of the boat).
• Rudder raked under the boat: no more than 15 mm (factory settings can be slightly more)
• Toe-in daggerboards 3-5 mm (difference fore aft daggerboards) (= standard factory settings)
• Daggerboard J  or C board  slider: 1 cm space to the back end (standard setting) for more lift move daggerboard more aft, for less lift move daggerboard forward. Just untighten the screws lightly and use the board as a lever to change the position of the slider
• Mastrake: just behind the hatch in light winds, on the transom in medium winds, halfway the transom in stronger winds. (Procedure; keep trapezeline on the deck at the fore stay and see where it touches the hull aft). If you adjust mastrake you might have to adjust sheetlength too.
• Polish daggerboards and rudders with grid 600 and then 1000 or 1200. Especially the finish of the daggerboard has a huge impact on the performance.  New boards are not polished yet.
• Upwind: traveller always in the middle, reduce mastrotation when the wind picks up.
• Downwind: Traveller on hiking strap when doing the wild thing, mast rotation 80-90 degrees
• Do not oversheet while doing the wildthing
• Keep daggerboards down will doing the wildthing, pull the weather daggerboard up in marginal wildthing conditions. In the mild thing or while going flat pull both daggerboards halfway up. 
• In strong winds put the boards up 10 cm.
• Position yourself between the side stay and the daggerboard case when you are going upwind. Only step back when the boat is on full speed. Hike before the sidestay in light conditions (see pics Stevie at the Worlds in Cesenatico). Many sailors stand to far back when going upwind especially just after a tack. (Keep fat bottom out of the water)
• Use surf wax on the trampoline to enhance grip in tacks and gybes.
• Use toestraps if you want to trapeze downwind. You do not need these in the lighter circumstances but if the wind picks up your will suffer from less fatigue.
• If you can trapeze downwind some cunningham may result in higher endspeeds and more control.
• If  you cannot keep the bow up downwind come out of the trapeze, release the traveller a bit and steer for depth. Less mast rotation may improve control but hurts speed as well if wind is not stable.
• Ask your sailmaker for the right amount of spreaderrake and the right amount of diamond tension. Use a loose gauge to measure the tension.
• If you go from the windward mark to the offset mark do not step back and keep yourself positioned at the daggerboard case to prevent aggressive bow ups.
• If you sail a long distance race reduce the amount of lift by moving the slider .6 cms forward.
• Put your daggerboards in the trampoline bag before going ashore, else a board may wash off the boat and may sink.
• Do not make jumps on purpose with the boat while reaching This might damage the boards.
• Keep your hulls clean. Wash the boat with water after sailing on saltwater. Transport it either in a box or use lycra covers.
• Teflon wax sealer can be applied on both the hulls and daggerboards for less friction.
• Put water on your daggerboards before you put these in daggerboard cases. Do not hang a daggerboard in the water if you are already sailing as it can be swept out of your hands.
• Keep the screws on the pushrods of the rudders tight else the pushrod pin might rotate.
• Check the knot in the daggerboard rope regularly as  the daggerboards might sink if it comes loose.
• Drill a 2 mm in the hatch covers to let air out in case of heating by the sun.
• Do not drill holes in the beams as the beams are watertight and part of the positive safety buoyancy.
• Do not use aceton on the paint to remove glue or stickers but use spiritus/alcohol instead.
• Clean travellercar with clean water.
• Check trapeze ropes regularly

Foiling multihulls

Innovatief design, snel, foiling & fun, custom parts & hydrofoils, tf10 foiling trimaran.

De Morrelli & Melvin designed TF10 is een veilige en gemakkelijk te zeilen foiling trimaran

F1x A-CAT Foiling Catamaran

Meervoudig WK-constructeurs titel winnend design binnen de internationale A-klasse catamaran divisie

Hydrofoil Manufacturer

Wij produceren hydrofoils voor o.a. de olympsche Nacra 17, MOD70 foiling multihulls en vele andere soorten carbon hydrofoils voor verschillende foiling zeilboten

Custom Parts

DNA helpt u graag bij uw custom carbon composiet oplossingen

Wij bouwen uw nieuwe foiling boot!

Over dna performance sailing, de boten bouwende divisie van holland composites.

DNA Performance Sailing is de hoogwaardige boten bouwende divisie van Holland Composites , het in Nederland gevestigde composietproductiebedrijf. DNA bouwt state-of-the-art foiling multihull zeilboten. Hier werkt een gepassioneerd team vanaf het ontwerp, de volledige bouw en detailafwerking tot aan de aflevering van de boot bij de klant.

De line-up van DNA Performance Sailing bestaat uit de volgende modellen:

• de F1x – een 5,5 m lichtgewicht en supersnelle A-klasse catamaran. Meervoudig WK-constructeurs titelwinnend design binnen de internationale A-klasse catamaran divisie
• de TF10 – een door Morrelli & Melvin ontworpen 10 m one-design foiling trimaran, de perfecte trailerbare foiling multihull zeilboot.

Onze foiling multihull zeilboten zijn ontworpen om het vliegen boven water op elk niveau en voor een groot publiek bereikbaar te maken. Wij streven ernaar om mooie, veilige en efficiënte foiling multihull zeilboten te leveren. Altijd  gecombineerd met een zeer betrokken klantenservice. Welkom bij het zeilen van morgen.

Schrijf je in voor onze nieuwsbrief en blijf op de hoogte van de nieuwste ontwikkelingen!

2021: laten we weer lekker foilen.

Tjonge, wat was 2020 een vreemd jaar, waarin we de golven nauwelijks onder onze... Lees verder

BLOG-SPECIAL: 10 feiten over de TF10 foiling trimaran!

In dit speciale, extra lange blog-artikel vertellen we je alles over de TF10 foiling... Lees verder

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About this project

Sailmon products onboard, dna g4 catamaran.

Type : Catamaran LOA : 12.14m Manufacturer : DNA performance Sailing Designed by : DNA Built : 2016

Is it a cruiser-racer or a racer-cruiser? This 40ft foiling catamaran, which has been called a multipurpose cruiser-racer, is a mix of speed and comfort. “The DNA G4 offers Formula 40 speeds in an easy to handle and forgiving weekender”, with the performance capabilities to beat nearly all maxis, superyachts and grand prix race-boats. This is thanks to its T-foil rudders, which help stabilize it and L-foil daggerboards, these lifting foils make a significant contribution to performance, by providing lift, reducing drag and keeping things safe when pressed downwind. What is clear to see though is that the G4 has been designed as a junior racer with a cruising bent – and emphatically not the other way around. It is a lusher, more practical, comfortable and refined take on any true high-performance catamaran than seen to date. One of the G4’s party pieces is its large and comfortable cockpit, providing enough space to relax, cook or party with a dozen or more of your friends comfortably. The G4 also comes with fully retractable daggerboards, meaning with everything full retracted the G4 draws less than 3’, which allows you to skim over skinny waters.

Onboard configuration DNA G4

Click on the instruments for more information

2x Element 7 display 100% customizable, 7-inch state of the art graphics displays, offering crisp and crystal-clear readability in all conditions and designed to withstand the most extreme environments.

1x Model E4 Silver processor High performance over the air sailing processors delivering fast, accurate and reliable data, for every sensor, every device, for everyone, everywhere.

And more additional elements

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Xtra Staerk

Heiko Kröger

Dylan Fletcher

Kyle Langford

Gold 1992 Barcelona

3x Volvo Ocean Race

2x America’s Cup Winner

Gold 2012 London (49er)

4x Olympic Games

Captain SY Anetta

Gold 2020 Tokyo (49er)

Americas Cup winner 2013

Gold 2016 Rio (Laser)

Gold 2000 Sydney (Paralympics)

Captain SY Ribelle

British Sailing Team

Bronze 2016 Rio (Nacra17)

3x Gold WC A-Class

Olympic Veteran

Gold 2012 London (Laser)

Gold World Youth 2021

Sailing Team Finland

Gold U19 WingFoil EU

Bronze World Cup 2022

Italian WASZP Champion

European Champion iQFOiL 2023

J70 European Champion

3rd Olympics 2020 (Finn)

European Wingfoil Champion 2022

Nacra 15 World Champion

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Talented MOTH Sailor

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Makai Valletta

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DNA 46' F4 Foiling Catamaran

Discussion in ' Multihulls ' started by Doug Lord , Jun 16, 2016 .

Doug Lord Flight Ready

This boat sort of seems like a larger G4 built by one of the foremost high tech builders around-DNA is part of Holland Composites. Seems like it should have it's own thread.... http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2...1fbefa6a332f75a7b&utm_source=Email Newsletter ------ more here: http://www.catsailingnews.com/2016/...sailingnews (Catamaran Racing, News & Design)  

Dna F4 DNA 46 footer on its way to the US: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2...3961d4b368200c38d&utm_source=Email Newsletter http://dnaperformancesailing.com/ Excerpt from article: Our goal at DNA has been to design and build the most stable foiling platform available in a production catamaran. We have created an accessible boat offering speed and easy handling for those passionate about joining the foiling generation. The design and manufacturing techniques focused on safety, efficiency and sustained flight in waves with coastal racing in mind. The spacious and unobstructed cockpit includes wheels at the helm, pedestal powered primary winches/hydraulic functions and a fluid layout to allow for a wide variety of sail combinations with limited hands on deck. To make ownership as cost effective and sensible as possible, the F4 is strict One Design. In choosing our components, we put a lot of effort into gauging the balance between weight, durability, and cost. In most instances we went for reliability and safety factors over weight savings, and by partnering with industry leading suppliers, secured competitive pricing in exchange for class exclusivity. We are hopeful the market will embrace our passion to produce uncompromising foiling craft. click-  

Attached Files:

Dna-f4-loaded-for-usa11-620x350.jpg.

From Scuttlebutt Europe: Safety first for Nagel in Caribbean Emily Nagel has cited safety concerns as the primary reason for her team retiring from the ongoing Royal Ocean Racing Club Caribbean 600 offshore race. The Bermudian sailor and her team-mates, that included America's Cup winner Shannon Falcone, were forced to drop out less than 24 hours into the 600-mile classic after the DNA F4 foiling catamaran they were competing on encountered electronic issues in challenging conditions that have taken a heavy toll on the racing fleet. "It was in the early hours of Tuesday morning when our wind gear failed and we lost all our numbers," Nagel told The Royal Gazette. "While normally in a monohull this wouldn't be the end of the race, as the conditions were so bad it was decided it would be safer to head back to Antigua. Going downwind without instruments in these conditions could have had serious consequences. "The Caribbean 600 was an awesome experience, with over 25 knots and a messy sea state it was a wet and wild ride. "The first day went really well for us, we were able to get the F4 up and going quickly, keeping up with bigger boats. It was very squally and so had the full crew on deck for the duration of the day, making multiple sail changes and constantly being ready to ease the sails if needed." The DNA F4 is a new carbon 46-foot foiling One Design catamaran designed and built to push the boundaries of long-distance racing, with Nagel using her naval architect expertise to help improve its design platform. -- Colin Thompson www.royalgazette.com/sailing/  

Flying A Class Cat from DNA

Dna a class catamaran.

A Blog About Living Aboard a 1975 46' Norman Cross Trimaran

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DNA F4 Foiling Cat | 2016

DNA F4 Foiling Cat - Ref 35143 has been saved to your account.

Your account cannot save boats.

• Model F4 Foiling Cat
• LOA 46ft/14m
• Class Performance Sail
• Hull Carbon Fibre
• Keel Multi-Hull
• Engine Single Outboard
• Layout Aft Cockpit
• Ancasta Ref 35143
• Name Falcon

Spars & Rigging

Sail inventory, broker comments.

Some of world´s most successful sailors have testified the F4 foiling cat as providing the ultimate combination of speed, safety, ease of handling and pure joy. A detailed handover and tuition on board can be agreed as part of the sale. The current owner has also pointed out that he would be potentially available for future racing events on separate negotiation.

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Purchase information.

Ancasta are acting as brokers for the vendor who is not selling in the course of business unless otherwise stated. These details are prepared from information provided by the vendor and are intended only as a guide to give a fair description of the vessel but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed and they do not constitute part of any contract.

A prospective buyer is strongly advised to check the particulars and to have the vessel fully surveyed by a qualified marine surveyor. Details are supplied on the understanding that all negotiations shall be through Ancasta brokerages. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice. Please Note: where the vessel’s status shows as “Preliminary”, details of the vessel have not yet been confirmed by the Vendor.

For further information or to arrange a viewing appointment please don't hesitate to contact our Ancasta Palma Office

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TOUR DE FOIL | F4 DNA FOILING CATAMARAN

North sails powers f4 catamaran to bermuda and beyond.

The F4 catamaran made its world debut in 2016. This exciting new 46’ one design catamaran teamed up with North Sails, DNA/Holland Composites, and other marine industry partners to support Foiling on Water, a Red Bull athlete project with Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill. Foiling on Water sent Spithill and crew on a 932 nautical mile mission from New York to Bermuda, home of the 35th America’s Cup.

A daydream-come-true reality for Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup veteran Shannon Falcone, the F4 DNA project is a high-performance foiling catamaran designed with sheer speed and grace in mind. After a winter of testing, refits, and repairs in Antigua, Hull #1 is currently preparing for the 1000 nm trip back to Bermuda to join the America’s Cup spectator fleet.

“The team at DNA gave me the opportunity to propose new concepts and features that integrate my past America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race experiences. Thanks to the support of our partners this boat is the result of an industry-wide collaboration to help bring one-design production foiling into a real world racing environment.”

The ultimate goal of the F4 Class is to build the Tour de Foil one design racing series. Falcone and class manager Thomas Loughborough are hoping owners will be attracted to the idea of a high performance, stable foiling platform, combined with one design principles to make ownership as cost effective as possible. The F4 Class will be based out of Newport, RI in the summertime, and will enjoy Caribbean sailing in Antigua during the winter season. Their plans are to maximize the F4’s potential by pushing her to the ultimate challenges: 400 miles a day with key landing points in Block Island, Long Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. In the winter months, their landing points include the BVI’s and St. Barths.

World-class snowboarder Travis Rice joined the F4 crew last fall in the post Foiling On Water delivery from Bermuda to Antigua. Rice is an avid sailor who owns a 60’ Gunboat outfitted with North 3Di sails and has compared his experience to his extreme snowboarding adventures,

“I don’t know how to better describe it except for me it’s just like tree riding….I don’t know, this boat is blowing my mind.”

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This New 94-Foot Foiling Catamaran Can Fly Across the Seas at Over 50 Knots

Voodoo's new xf95 also has a range of 3,500 nautical miles., rachel cormack.

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The newcomer takes design cues from fellow Xpedition Foilers, which have been “tested and battle-hardened in the South Pacific,” according to the yard. As with previous models, the XF95 is fitted with integrated hydrofoils amidship that lift the hulls out of the water to increase efficiency, stability, speed, and range. “Flying” over the waves results in less drag, meaning the multihull uses less fuel than a traditional yacht.

The XF95 can be equipped with two engines rated at either 2,000 or 2,600 hp. The latter option enables a cruising speed of 37 knots and a top speed of 45 knots. Voodoo says there is also another, more powerful setup that results in a top speed of more than 50 knots. In terms of range, the vessel can cruise for 1,200 nautical miles at 30 knots or cover 3,500 nautical miles at eight knots. Owners can add a larger tank to increase the range or install a large solar array to generate clean, green power at sea.

With a beam of 31 feet and an interior volume of 245 GT, the XF95 offers nearly 5,400 square feet of space on board. The yard says the spacious living quarters are on par with yachts spanning 118 to 125 feet. The model is highly customizable, too: Owners can opt for an enclosed or open bridge and choose between several different layouts.

Amenities also abound outdoors. The main deck is home to a dip pool, a lounge, and a swim platform, while the upper deck sports an alfresco dining area and the foredeck showcases another large lounge.

Marine magic, indeed.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Diego Botin steers Spain to SailGP’s $2M championship against heavyweights Slingsby and Burling

In this photo provided by SailGP, Spain SailGP Team competes on Race Day 2 of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in in San Francisco, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Ricardo Pinto/SailGP via AP)

In this photo provided by SailGP, France SailGP Team helmed by Quentin Delapierre collides with ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team helmed by Nicolai Sehested on Race Day 2 of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Ricardo Pinto/SailGP via AP)

In this photo provided by SailGP, Spain SailGP Team helmed by Diego Botin lead the fleet on Race Day 2 of the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Jason Ludlow/SailGP via AP)

In this photo provided by SailGP, Spain SailGP Team helmed by Diego Botin celebrate on stage with champagne after winning the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final inin San Francisco, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Ricardo Pinto/SailGP via AP)

In this photo provided by SailGP, Spain SailGP Team helmed by Diego Botin celebrate on stage after winning the SailGP Season 4 Grand Final in San Francisco,, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Adam Warner /SailGP via AP)

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Spain’s Diego Botin stunned heavyweights Tom Slingsby of Australia and Peter Burling of New Zealand by brilliantly steering Los Gallos to victory in SailGP’s $2 million, winner-take-all Grand Final on San Francisco Bay on Sunday.

Botin’s thrilling victory in the dash across the tops of the waves for sailing’s biggest cash prize snapped Slingsby’s three-season run as champion of tech titan Larry Ellison’s global league and denied Burling a breakthrough victory.

Spain qualified for the Grand Final thanks to a mindboggling error by French skipper Quentin Delapierre and his crew in an earlier fleet race that knocked them out of the regatta.

Botin took full advantage of that gift and never let trans-Tasman Sea rivals Australia and New Zealand engage in an anticipated showdown between skippers with deep America’s Cup and Olympic pedigrees.

Botin hit the starting line first and led his more accomplished rivals all the way around the course in front of the Golden Gate Bridge aboard his foiling 50-foot catamaran with a red outline of a rooster on the wingsail.

“I cannot describe the feeling now,” Botin said before heading ashore for a Champagne shower with his crew. “It was an amazing race. We nailed the start and we managed to keep it up. We were lucky because we broke a rudder or something on the last downwind but we managed to stay in front.”

The Australians had a technical issue as well as they were chasing down the Spanish but they didn’t recover. One of their foil boards didn’t lock into place and they buried their bows in the water.

“It was a normal tack, but somehow the board came off the lock,” Slingsby said. “We’ve done thousands of tacks this week and it hasn’t happened at all, then today it happened in the final $2 million dollar race. What do you do? It’s just unlucky.”

After dominating the day’s two fleet races, the Aussies seemed locked in.

“Honestly, the team sailed the best we’ve sailed, almost ever, today,” said Slingsby, an Olympic gold medalist who helped Oracle Team USA to an epic comeback victory in the America’s Cup on these same waters in 2013. “We had that mentality the whole race, even when we were behind, so I’m so proud of this team and the way they sailed. I’m honored to be part of it all.”

Botin noted that it was his country’s fourth big victory on Sunday. Spain won a record fourth European Championship in soccer, Carlos Alcaraz won his second straight Wimbledon men’s championship and Sergio Garcia won in LIV Golf.

“Beating the Kiwis and Aussies in the Grand Final here in San Francisco ... we’re over the moon,” Botin said. “It’s been a big grind and we’ve been through a lot in this league. Last season we were last in the scores, and look, this season we win. I think we have an amazing team. Let’s see if we can keep it together and keep the ball rolling.”

Slingsby won both fleet races Sunday to claim the San Francisco regatta that preceded the Grand Final.

Burling is a three-time Olympic medalist, including one gold, and as helmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand will pursue a third straight America’s Cup victory in the fall.

“We’re all feeling the pain at the moment, but we’re really proud of the way the team has gone about their business,” Burling said.

Late in the fourth fleet race of the San Francisco regatta, France approached the final turning mark on port and needed to keep clear of Denmark on starboard, but turned too close and made contact. The impact snapped a rudder and sent the catamaran up on its port hull, where it hung precipitously for a few heart-stopping seconds as the crew avoided a capsize.

Botin dashed ahead to finish in front of France in the 10-boat fleet. France was hit with an eight-point penalty and the damage kept it out of the fifth fleet race, opening the door for Spain’s big victory.

“Sometimes you prefer to stay at home, and today I think that was the case,” Delapierre said. “At the last tack I just didn’t see the Danish and we crashed with them. We didn’t finish the job and that’s really painful for everybody on board right now.”

Bernie Wilson has covered sailing for the AP since 1991.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports

TF10 Foiling Trimaran

Ultra-modern, morrelli & melvin design, craftsmanship, wij bouwen uw nieuwe foiling boot, the tf10 trimaran: the foiling flying machine.

After the foiling revolution, the TF10 foiling trimaran is now the evolution of foiling sailing. With the TF10 foiling trimaran, sailing and foiling can be reached by any sailor. The TF10 is an 11 m long one-design foiling trimaran, designed by the famous yacht designers Morrelli & Melvin . The TF10 is built and sold by DNA Performance Sailing.

The TF10 is suitable for a crew of 4-5 persons and can handle a wide range of sailing conditions. The construction consists of pre-preg carbon fibers with a Nomex honeycomb core. This provides a lightweight, yet safe and robust construction. The foiling TF10 trimaran is the perfect foiling boat for both pleasure trips and sailing fast in races.

The transport of the TF10 is also revolutionary: when folded, it is easy to transport. We supply the TF10 with a specially designed road trailer, launching by boat ramp or crane are both possible.

Foils create sailing comfort

Thanks to the sophisticated design, every sailor feels comfortable on the TF10 foiling trimaran. Regardless of age, gender or muscle strength. And regardless of the speed, which can quickly reach up to 30 knots! Safety and comfort were the two main focuses of the design. This is reflected in a number of elements:

• The bow is designed to cut through the waves. This results in less hits on waves, which greatly increases sailing comfort.
• The carbon benches with back support provide a comfortable seat for crew and helmsman.
• The wishbone boom (half windsurfer boom) provides the decksweeper mainsail layout to perform at its best. An additional advantage is that in a manoeuvre the sail is now the lowest point and not the carbon boom.
• A ‘Semi-ridged’ carbon fibre trampoline cloth has been specially designed to make the boat’s construction torsional stiff. It makes it easier to walk on and block’s splashing water from the foils.
• The TF10’s foils and T-rudders minimize pitch and roll movements. The rake angle of all four foils is adjusted with electric actuators. This system improves comfort and safety during sailing and foiling.

TF10 hydrofoils

The TF10 foiling trimaran flies with a 4-point foil setup:

• The T-rudders with horizontal elevators generate lift and/or downforce.
• The so called Z-type daggerboard foils provide the necessary lift to be able to foil.
• The advantage of the 4-point-foil setup is that the crew does not have to pick up the daggerboards during manoeuvres. This significantly reduces the crew’s actions.
• In addition, we have electric actuators that change the position of the foils and rudders with a single push on the button.
• The design of the Z-foils has already been very successfully applied to other foiling multihulls, such as the A-cats and the Olympic Nacra 17.

Specifications

Length incl. bowsprit: 10.94 m Length waterline: 9.97 m Beam: 6.8 m Beam incl. benches: 7.65 m Beam (folded on trailer): 2.5 m Minimum draft: 0.4 m Maximum draft: 2.55 m Height center hull: 1.78 m Mast length: 16.1 m Displacement leightship: 1400 kg Displacement max. load: 1900 kg Outboard engine: 6pk, retractable Mainsail: North Sails 3Di 45 m2 Jib: North Sails 3Di 28 m2 Gennaker: (on furler) 71 m2 LED Navigation lights

Fast and pure one-design racing Easy shipping Created by owners for owners

See and feel the future of sailing. The TF10 foiling trimaran is here!

This special foiling trimaran was designed at the end of 2015. The idea was to make a foiling multihull that anybody can sail and foil with. A foiling boat equipped with the same technology as the boats at the America’s Cup.

The TF10 and its sailing class is the result of initiatives by a group of five sailing friends on the East Coast of America (Newport, RI). They have joined forces and created the TF10 sailing class.

The members of the TF10 Class Association have lot’s of experience in various one-design racing series. The goal is to create a racing series that is as exciting, honest and fun as the boat itself.

Morrelli & Melvin designed a trimaran to combine the specific characteristics of a trimaran with foiling. The trimaran’s center hull offers important advantages here: its buoyancy and pitch stability eliminate the risk of ‘nose diving’ or ‘pitch poling’. In the design briefing, wind range and sea state (short sea shipping) were important. The design of the TF10 is based on this.

For all information, competitions and the latest news, please visit the TF10 Class website: www.TF10class.com

It is possible to make a trial run with the TF10. We do this on the IJsselmeer, just a few kilometres from DNA’s shipyard. Here the sailing and foiling conditions are perfect: There is always wind and you can fully enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The IJsselmeer lies between the cities of Lelystad, Almere and Enkhuizen. The new island area “Markerwadden” can also be seen and possibly visited here. Mail us at [email protected]

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Can Ben Ainslie and Jim Ratcliffe win the America’s Cup for Britain?

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Tarquin Cooper

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

“We probably had more gin and tonics than we should have,” says Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chairman and CEO of the chemicals giant Ineos, as he looks back on his first meeting with the five-time Olympic medallist sailor Sir Ben Ainslie. It was in 2018 when a mutual friend, the yacht broker Chris Cecil-Wright, introduced the pair at the private members’ club 5 Hertford Street. “It wasn’t an approach really, just a drink,” says Ratcliffe. “And the conversation naturally drifted onto the America’s Cup.”  

He would later joke that it was “the most expensive gin and tonic in history”, after he agreed to back Ainslie’s second campaign to win the coveted Cup, for a reported £110mn. Ainslie had been explaining how the team was at the time backed by a consortium. “I might have said as a throwaway line, if we did get involved, we’d have to do the whole thing rather than sit in a committee,” Ratcliffe recalls. “We’re not very good committee people.”

Ineos Team UK (now Ineos Britannia ) was launched to campaign for the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland, New Zealand in 2021. Despite a disappointing start, which saw them place last in the preliminary regatta, they came top in the round robins and challenged Luna Rossa in the Prada Cup final for the honour of challenging Emirates New Zealand in the America’s Cup final. They lost, but it was the furthest a British team had come since 1964.

For Ratcliffe, 71, the mission is a question of national pride. “It’s the oldest sporting trophy, and a trophy we’ve never won. Sailing is part of the British DNA. We did rule those waves for a few centuries, but we’ve never won the America’s Cup. It would be quite a thing.”

We were three blokes in our 60s who liked sport – why not? Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Ainslie is Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor, winning four golds and a silver between Atlanta 1996 and London 2012, but the America’s Cup has been an ambition since he first set eyes on competing yachts while sailing as a seven-year-old in Falmouth harbour: “I was in total awe of the majesty of these boats, and hooked from then on.” He was part of the winning American team, Oracle USA, for the 34th Cup in 2013 but, like Ratcliffe, he is spurred by the national challenge “of having never won it”. 

Ratcliffe grew up in Failsworth, Lancashire, the son of a joiner who went on to run a factory making laboratory furniture. He studied chemical engineering at Birmingham University, did an MBA at London Business School in 1980, then worked for Esso before going into private equity. He formed Ineos and began to buy up assets from BP and ICI; by 2007 he had petrochemical plants and refineries from Scotland and mainland Europe to Canada. The 2023 Sunday Times Rich List estimated Ratcliffe’s net worth at around £29.7bn, making him the second most wealthy individual in the UK at the time.

He is passionate about sport and adventure. He’s an avid runner, once ran and cycled 600km across Namibia, has climbed the Matterhorn and trekked to the Poles. He says Ineos’s move into sports was a logical progression of that interest – today the company’s portfolio includes Formula One , cycling, Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-2:00 marathon record and now Manchester United. The Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani had initially hoped to acquire the football club outright, but withdrew from bidding in October, leaving Ratcliffe to buy a 27.7 per cent minority shareholding for a reported £1.25bn. He is set to invest a further $100mn by the end of the year, but would not be drawn on details of the negotiations or future plans for the club.

“There were three of us running Ineos, all in our 60s,” says Ratcliffe, “We’d all been very successful, we’d all worked for a long time, we’re all from the north of England. We all generally liked sport, so why not? It was a bit of fun and a challenge. I think most normal blokes like sport. I know some people go off in different directions, they might like opera or classical music, but the majority enjoy sport.” 

Ratcliffe and Ainslie meet every four to six weeks in one of the Ineos offices, depending on where Ratcliffe is. Today it is the Monaco office, which occupies a couple of floors of a building less than 200m from the Casino de Monte Carlo. Inside it’s all motor racing and Hollywood glamour; a photo of Steve McQueen looms large by the coffee bar; vintage steering wheels and retro prints of Monaco and Le Mans line the walls; miniature Grenadiers (the name of the pub in London where Ratcliffe came up with his idea of making his own version of a Land Rover Defender ) sit on a wooden bookshelf: the windows offer wide views over the harbour. But the largest presence is Ratcliffe himself, whose lean 6ft 4in frame stands over everyone else, Ainslie included.

The secret to their working relationship is that Ratcliffe treats Ainslie like any other of his business interests. “We have board meetings for all our businesses, so we don’t treat sailing any differently to one of the chemical businesses or other sports teams,” says Ratcliffe. Ainslie admits he can’t afford to arrive unprepared. “You can’t turn up here and not know if there’s an issue, have analysed it and understood it because Jim has this knack of understanding what the core of an issue is and trying to get to the bottom of it.” 

“Everything is a learning,” continues Ratcliffe of the decision-making process. “You just sort of home in on it and try to figure out why it’s gone wrong and what we can do to get it back on track. It’s very much consensus driven. There’s no point being hysterical and screaming death. That doesn’t really help. We’ve always said, if there’s any bad news we need to know today. Good news can wait.” 

It’s an insane piece of technology – a wonder of science Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Ratcliffe likens it to F1, where the teams are all engaged in a high-stakes R&D battle to produce a winning car each season. “We’re in a much better place than we were in the previous America’s Cup but, as ever with these things, you don’t know until you actually see all the boats on the water.” Uniquely, Ainslie and the crew can tap into the expertise of the Ineos Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team – Ineos is a one-third equal shareholder. “We are the first team that have really engaged heavily with the F1 industry,” says Ratcliffe. It’s a mine of expertise they can call upon. While the Ineos America’s Cup team is about 200, the Mercedes F1 team, based in Brackley, is 1,000 strong. “There’s a whole host of experts across the group that we can tap into. It’s a huge partnership,” says Ainslie.

“There are lots of similarities between F1 and the America’s Cup,” adds Ratcliffe. “They’re carbon-fibre structures, they’ve both got foils or wings. The calculations are just the same – one’s working in water, one’s working in air, but it’s just a fluid with a different density.”

Besides the designers there’s also the performance expertise of the cycling team Ineos Grenadiers they can dial into. “There’s a lot of expertise that we can understand how to get better performance from our athletes, from sports psychology to physio, you name it,” adds Ainslie. The collaboration has seen the cyclors join the likes of Geraint Thomas and the rest of the Ineos Grenadiers cycling squad on training camps in Mallorca. Although they’re more likely to come from rowing than cycling – Matt Gotrel won a rowing gold in Rio – they were just about able to keep up. “A half-decent cyclist will get up the Sa Calobra climb in 45 minutes but these cyclors are getting there in 30,” says Ratcliffe. 

The official boat design, meanwhile, the AC75 , bears as much resemblance to a traditional “displacement” yacht as Top Gun: Maverick ’s Mach-10 Darkstar does to the Wright brothers’ biplane. “It’s an insane piece of technology, a wonder of modern science,” enthuses Ratcliffe.  

In 2013 hydrofoils were first introduced into America’s Cup yacht design. Acting like an underwater wing, they lift the boat out of the water, freeing it from all resistance. “It’s more like being a pilot these days,” says Ainslie. “There’s a huge amount of energy in these boats,” adds Ratcliffe. “It’s 10 storeys high, 25m long, it travels up to 100kmph and sails on a foil the size of a coffee table. It’s a disaster if you crash them.” Then, in a friendly warning shot across the bow of his skipper, he reminds Ainslie he only has one of them to play with. 

Serious crashes are rare, but in 2013 British sailor Andrew “Bart” Simpson died when the catamaran Artemis capsized, prompting a slew of safety reviews. “We take safety very seriously,” adds Ainslie. Each crew member wears a helmet, carries oxygen and a knife and there are spare air canisters in the cockpit.

The main challenge is getting to the starting line at all. And even then the America’s Cup is brutally unforgiving. First, Ineos Britannia must win the challengers’ regatta just to earn the right to take on the Cup holder, Emirates Team New Zealand . Only then will the real battle begin. The preliminary round takes place in Barcelona in late August, with the final, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Match , taking place from 12 to 27 October. 

“The next six months are obviously crucial. It’s hard work but it’s what you live for,” says Ainslie. For Ratcliffe, all eyes are on the prize – and there’s only one in this game. “Queen Victoria asked who came second in 1851 and was told, ‘There’s no second, Ma’am, you know,’” he says. “We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think winning was possible. There’s no point – no interest – in coming second.” 

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