The AC72 features a rigid 131-foot wing sail. Think of it as a jumbo jetliner wing stood on its end, but with some flexibility that allows for adjustments to the wind.
The two catamarans zipping across San Francisco Bay in the America's Cup finals each weighs about 163 tons less than America, the winning yacht in 1851 and namesake for sports' oldest active trophy. The lighter load obviously helps these boats achieve speeds up to 50 mph, but there's much more to their design; both are engineering marvels that maximize the energy provided by wind and water.
via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/yycHIUZhqxY/la-sp-science-americas-cup-20130912,0,2807771.story
The two catamarans zipping across San Francisco Bay in the America's Cup finals each weighs about 163 tons less than America, the winning yacht in 1851 and namesake for sports' oldest active trophy. The lighter load obviously helps these boats achieve speeds up to 50 mph, but there's much more to their design; both are engineering marvels that maximize the energy provided by wind and water.
via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/yycHIUZhqxY/la-sp-science-americas-cup-20130912,0,2807771.story
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