Jason Waterhouse says 100km/h speed barrier a target with new T-foils in SailGP
It’s T-day for some spectacular new foiling technology predicted to see crews “get loose” and crack 100km/h in racing for the first time in the SailGP world sailing series.
It’s T-day for some spectacular new foiling technology predicted to see crews “get loose” and crack 100 km/h in racing for the first time in the SailGP series.
Auckland will host the first event of the year this weekend but the tight race course is likely to thwart the fleet of 12 cracking the elusive 100km/h barrier in racing despite their F50 one- design foiling catamarans boasting the new T-foil technology and other speed enhancing modifications.
Instead, Australian Jason Waterhouse, a multiple Olympian and the flight controller on the Australian team, believes Sydney or San Francisco are the more likely venues for the barrier to be broken for the first time in racing.
During testing on windy San Francisco Bay last year a crew of Canadians hit a top speed of 101.98 km/h on the titanium and carbon T-foils.
In training this week Waterhouse said the Aussies hit around 90km/h while the New Zealand crew headed by multiple Olympic gold medallist Peter Burling recorded a top speed of 97.2km/h in windier conditions.
“I think we saw 90 but it really wasn’t that windy then and we had the bigger wing up,’’ Waterhouse said.
“It’s pretty cool, yeah. One of the boys has already gone over 100 with it and I guess the 100 barrier it is what gets people excited for the racing. It’s pretty loose.
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“But you have to pick your spots. Maybe San Francisco again in March, Sydney Harbour perhaps. We could do it there if we got like a 20 knot nor’easterly. But you do need the wind and a not so congested course for it.”
Waterhouse said changes to the platform of the F50 will also contribute to higher speeds being seen this year as the modifications have resulted in a 25 per cent increases in righting moment.
A redraw of boats means the Australians are now aboard the boat fomerly used by the German team.
“It’s just about keeping the racing fair for everybody,“ Waterhouse said.
Waterhouse said the benefits of the new foils are they have less water line resistance due to their shape and geometry with another benefit the fact the boat does not slide as much any more.
“You have a bit more grip,’’ he said. “It’s like having better grip on your tyres on a F1 car to go around the corners and streets. It means you can just go faster.
“You feel like you’re really locked on the water, got the boats locked in.
“And basically with the new platforms we’ve got 25% more horsepower than previously. That’s what one of the modifications has done.”
New Zealand flight controller Leo Takahashi said there were some “crazy moments’’ in training this week.
“You definitely feel that the speeds are a lot higher. The foils are a lot more stable but at the same time the acceleration is so quick,’’ he said.
“It’s definitely going to be good racing out there this weekend, especially if we get similar conditions.”
The T-foils, which will reduce drag, will be rolled out as part of the high-speed configuration for the first time this weekend.
New Zealand won the first event of the series with multiple overall champions Australia finishing fifth.
AUSTRALIAN CREW
Driver: Tom Slingsby
Wing Trimmer: Chris Draper
Flight Controller: Jason Waterhouse
Grinder: Sam Newton
Grinder: Kinley Fowler
Strategist: Tash Bryant
Reserve: Will Ryan
Coach: Ben Durham
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