Oracle Team USA practiced on AC45s last week, screaming through the water–and the air–on hydrofoils. The training session in San Francisco gave team members practice on the L-shaped dagger boards. Hydrofoils reduce drag and draft and allow for more speed. As a boat gains speed, hydrofoils create lift and the hull rises out of the water, which decreases friction and drag. This means more efficient use of power towards moving the boat. Not only are they a smaller alternative to wings, but they also might hint at what new features we could see on the AC72s. See below for more pictures of the training session.
Photos courtesy of ORACLE TEAM USA
