SailGP Rolls Out New High-Speed Titanium ‘T-Foils’ for 2025 Season
As SailGP races into its fifth season, we’re wondering how fast is fast enough for these boats that on the surface appear to be sailboats, but are nothing like those frequented by the majority of sailors around the globe. A recent newsletter announced SailGP’s move to new high-speed titanium “T-fFoils,” which have undergone almost two years of “rigorous testing.”
The T-Foils will replace the existing L-Foils that have been used since SailGP’s inception in 2019. They’re constructed from machined titanium and carbon, have thinner sections than the current L-Foils, and reduce drag at high speeds. All 12 boats in SailGP’s F50 fleet are now using the T-Foils, with their first race performance this past weekend (Jan.18–19) in New Zealand. Aside from increased speed, the goal is closer competition among the international racing teams. This goal may play out over the course of the season, but after the second event on the calendar, the race leaders look very much like those of previous seasons, with Australia winning Event 2 this past weekend in New Zealand.
Current leaderboard standings are: first place Emirates GRB; in second place is New Zealand, now calling themselves the Black Foils; and in third place is Australia, still under the captaincy of Tom Slingsby. It’s interesting to note that GRB and NZ are even at 17 points each, while Australia and Spain are both fourth-place holders at 16 points.
The T-Foils now being used throughout the fleet have resulted in a recorded top speed of 101.98 km/h (during testing). The top speed recorded in race conditions was 99.94 km/h (achieved by the France SailGP Team in Saint-Tropez in Season 3). This equates to approximately 1.27 miles per hour increased speed. In our books, that’s not a big difference when you relate the speed increase to the hours and dollars spent creating that difference. Is it necessary, or even worth it?
One of the concerns that comes to our minds is safety. In 2023, Team USA’s flight controller, Hans Henken, was knocked unconscious after the boat took a nosedive. He suffered two broken ribs, a broken sternum, a torn rotator cuff, and a concussion.
The F50 crew are geared up with helmets and padding, but that’s clearly not going to protect them completely in the event of a crash. We can only hope that injuries are minimal in number and at best, minor. In the meantime, we, like everyone else who loves the thrill of high-speed action, are looking forward to seeing the big cats race around the Bay in March.
The next event will be held in Sydney on February 7–8. San Francisco fans will see the racing action on the Bay for Event 5 on March 22–23. The season final, Event 14, will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 29–30.