Some non-sailors trying to understand what’s happening in the America’s Cup have emailed to say that they are puzzled by the ability of trimarans and catamarans to sail faster then the wind. The answer is explained by some relatively simple physics.
First, no sailboat can exceed the wind speed when heading straight downwind. We’ll see why in a minute.
But to understand how they sometimes can go faster than the wind speed, imagine sitting still on a bicycle with the wind blowing directly from one side at 10 miles per hour. That’s what sailors call… Details
Just as the Formula 1 technologies of today filter down into the production cars of tomorrow, so Richard Jenkins, the designer of the wind-powered Greenbird, believes the technologies behind his record-breaking vehicle could herald a new era of environmentally-friendly transportation. Jon Severn reports.
On the morning of 26th March 2009 at Ivanpah Dry Lake on the California/Nevada border, USA, the Ecotricity Greenbird broke the world land speed record for wind-powered vehicles. Greenbird recorded a top speed of 126.4mph (203.4km/h), and sustained a speed of 126.2mph (203.1km/h) for the required time of three seconds, beating the previous, American held, record of 116mph (186.7km/h), set by Bob Schumacher in the Iron Duck in March 1999 at the same location (Fig.1).
The Greenbird project is a partnership between …Â Details
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Today, a new chapter begins in the Maxi Banque Populaire V’s book of records. In a few days, Pascal Bidégorry and his twelve crewmen will set sail for the United States, their sights set on achieving a new reference time for the North Atlantic crossing.
As from June 18th and as soon as the weather permits, the Team Banque Populaire will set sail towards New York on an attempt to reduce the 4 days 3 hours 57 minutes and 53 seconds of the record. The stopwatch will go off on the finish line set between Ushant and Cape Lizard, revealing whether the maxi trimaran built by the Sailing Bank is to write a first line in its race against time, the beginning of a story that will reach the main plot with the Jules Verne Trophy starting next winter…
Having won the Transat Jacques Vabre, been multihull world Champion in 2005 and given everything to the Route du Rhum in 2006, Pascal Bidégorry and Groupe Banque Populaire worked together to plan a future project in line with the Group’s passions and ambitions: it would have to be a maxi multihull with the potential to wash away all the current records… DetailsÂ
Science was never my strong suit. So when Garry Ingram, Track Manager at Blokart Heaven in Papamoa, tells me that what I’m about to do is “all about physicsâ€, I instantly panic.
Suiting up with a helmet and weathered fingerless gloves, my trepidation and I follow Garry to our waiting blokart.
Blokarting (pronounced blow-karting) is a form of land sailing, invented here in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand’s North Island. The blokart is a three-wheeled, steel-framed buggy with an enormous triangular sail shooting skywards. The user nestles into a canvas cradle at near ground level, from where they steer and control the sail with ropes… Details
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