SailGP Unveils Game-Changing T-Foils for 2025: A New Era of High-Speed Racing

SailGP has confirmed the roll-out of its groundbreaking high-speed T-Foils, set to revolutionize its global fleet of F50s starting in January 2025. The new foils will debut at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, and SailGP CEO Russell Coutts describes the upgrade as a "game changer" for the sport. These next-gen T-Foils promise faster speeds, more competitive racing, and an exciting shake-up in the league’s rankings.

A Leap in Performance

Following 18 months of extensive testing at venues across the world, several teams have had a chance to experience the new T-Foils during training sessions. The Canada SailGP Team set a new speed record for the F50s, clocking in at 101.98 km/h in San Francisco (with a wind speed of just 32 km/h) using the new foils. This remarkable achievement highlights the performance leap that these foils represent.

The T-Foils will replace the L-Foils that have been in use since SailGP’s inception in 2019. Constructed from a combination of titanium and carbon, the T-Foils feature thinner sections, which drastically reduce drag and allow for smoother high-speed sailing. This new design not only enables faster speeds but also improves control and performance, especially when sailing upwind. SailGP estimates a speed increase of approximately 5.5 km/h when sailing against the wind—a significant boost for the F50s.

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Leveling the Playing Field

Coutts emphasized that the introduction of the T-Foils will level the playing field for all teams. Since the upgrade affects the entire fleet, no team will have a prior advantage in using the new foils, which may result in a new pecking order during the 2025 season. "Fans may be set for some surprise results next season, which should make for a great spectacle," he noted.

Newer teams entering the league will now have a more competitive shot at success, while even the most seasoned crews will face a fresh learning curve. This development promises to keep SailGP's high-speed, high-stakes competition even more thrilling.

Safety Enhancements and Further Innovation

Safety has also been a key consideration in the development of the T-Foils. These new foils have been designed to minimize damage in case of high-impact collisions. Their outer tips, which extend beyond the hulls, are engineered to break off in the event of a serious boat-on-boat incident, reducing potential hazards.

SailGP is also developing new light-wind foils, which will allow the F50s to foil in lighter winds, offering more consistent race conditions and an improved viewing experience for fans. The light-wind foils are expected to have a major impact, allowing the boats to get up on their foils with 3 km/h less wind than the current threshold. Testing for these foils will begin in Dubai, where the 2024/2025 season will kick off on November 23-24, 2024.

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An Expanding Global Circuit

SailGP’s 2025 season is set to be its most expansive yet, with events across five continents. The season begins in Dubai and will take teams to iconic cities such as Rio de Janeiro, New York, Sydney, and Geneva. An 11-team lineup will start the season, with a 12th national team joining the competition in Auckland in January.

As SailGP continues to innovate and evolve, the introduction of the T-Foils is poised to push the boundaries of what’s possible in competitive sailing, bringing faster, more thrilling racing to athletes and fans alike.

Stay up to date with SailGP's latest developments by following their official website or tuning in for live broadcasts of the 2024/2025 season. Fans can expect an exciting year ahead as SailGP’s cutting-edge technology propels the F50s into uncharted territory.