VENDEE GLOBE
IMOCA 60 foiling yacht Apvia in the Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe race started on 8th November. A record 33 boats started the marathon single-handed race unassisted around the world.
It is an heroic exercise, one of the pinnacles of world sport.
18 of the boats utilize foils, which enable the boat to counteract the heeling force without the extra weight involved with water ballast or heavy keels.
The main example is a class called the IMOCA 60.
Vendée Globe 2020 and the insane IMOCA 60 foiling yachts
Alex Thompson is one of the British competitors. He shows off his boat here before the start.
AMERICA'S CUP
The other big story is the America's Cup race which is due to take place in Auckland.
The boats are astonishing; hydrofoil monohull yachts called AC75s.
The have hingeing hydrofoils that support the boat out of the water with one foil on the downwind side, together with a foiling rudder. The upwind foil lifts out of the water to act as a weight to counteract the heeling moment. A bit like some 'rail-meat' on a trapeze.
America's Cup boats explained
New America's Cup Boats Launched
Wrap up of the pre-Christmas races
Sir Ben Ainslie
American Magic capsize
After a gripping race series between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, these were the final races. At this point the Kiwis were 3:3 with the Italians.
Day 5.
Quite extraordinary. Check out what happens from 16.45.
Day 6.
Day 7.
