Nathan Outteridge, Artemis Racing skipper, discusses foiling technology in this Surface to Air preview. Courtesy Altair
America’s Cup foiling-catamaran technology is as intriguing as racing those vessels is exhilarating. That’s why Altair, an engineering and design firm working with Sweden’s AC35 Team Artemis Racing, offers a behind-the-scenes look at that technology with Surface to Air, a 12-minute film that explores the design process behind foiling catamarans.
“I saw the America’s Cup as high-profile race competition, but it is much more than that. It is a design competition pushing the limits of physics and engineering.”
David Durocher, Altair Engineering Manager
Altair is specifically focused on simulation technology that increases design efficiency, which can be very helpful when minute differences in design can significantly alter performance, such as for an America’s Cup foiling catamaran. The company partnered with Artemis Racing to assist in designing and developing its daggerboard, the part of the catamaran that propels it into the air. The film promises to dive “into what’s required to build the fastest sail boats to ever exist,” says Altair.
Surface to Air is available on Altair’s website, as well as on Apple iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.