Podcast Ep. 16 - Why Ferrari Hypersail “could redefine” sailing

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Neil Cole, Andy Rice and Freddie Carr return for the latest episode of The Foil podcast with a range of subjects to discuss. Andy has just returned from Milan where he witnessed the livery reveal for Ferrari’s amazing Hypersail project.

First up, the team tackle some audience questions, including when New Zealand’s Black Foils will return to the SailGP fleet as a new F50 takes shape in Southampton. They also discuss potential changes to the SailGP calendar in the wake of the war in the Middle East, the challenges of commentating live on events and the complexity of SailGP rules for racing.

Andy then tells us about arriving in Milan during Design Week to find out more about Ferrari’s fascinating venture into the sailing world. “The merging of automotive and maritime,” as Andy puts it. He offers some insight into the sustainability reasons why Ferrari has chosen to dive into sailing and, as Neil puts it, why this is a “moving laboratory” for new technology. Freddie suggests “It could redefine what we think sailing is”. But the team wonders, can a monohull really beat a multihull to a potential Jules Verne Around the World record?

An interview with French super-designer Guillaume Verdier – the man behind the Ferrari Hypersail – adds further detail, and he tells Andy how designers from land and sea “speak the same language” of physics.

The team then move on to the announcement made in Barcelona this week, as Tudor Team Alinghi announce their line-up for the 38th America’s Cup. “It’s an exciting line-up featuring a lot of talent,” enthuses Freddie. He and Andy then reflect on the importance of the forthcoming Road to Naples AC regatta in Sardinia.

To wrap up, Andy then offers an update on the 57th Semaine Olympique Française that is under way in Hyères this week, and Freddie tells us about how much he’s looking forward to grappling with Rainbow, the J-Class classic he’ll be helping to sail this week in Palma.

03:07 - When will the Black Foils return?
09:55 - Analysing umpire decisions and VAR in SailGP
13:42 - Ferrari Hypersail unveiling in Milan
29:53 - Guillaume Verdier on designing the Ferrari boat
38:52 - Alinghi announces new crew for AC38
51:28 - Growing importance of the Cagliari AC40 event
55:46 - Tita and Banti dominate Olympic Nacra return