Vestas Technology R&D sponsors contender for world's fastest sailing boat
Press release from
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Randers, 13 May 2008
Press release No. 4/2008
Vestas Technology R&D sponsors contender for world's fastest sailing boat
Maximal use of wind power and cutting edge technology are the main reasons
behind Vestas Technology R&D's sponsorship of SailRocket.
The Vestas SailRocket Team behind this project will this year try to be the
fastest sailing boat in the world being the first to go 50 knots (91.7 km/h).
The unique design of the Vestas SailRocket gives maximal impact from the wind.
The vessel travels around 2.2 times wind speed, so in order to go 50 knots it
only requires 23 knots of wind.
“The Vestas SailRocket team and Vestas have a lot in common. We both strive for
getting the maximal power out of the wind. As the No. 1 in Modern Energy, Vestas
is the leading company in wind generating technology, and the Vestas SailRocket
Team will be fighting for a number one position,” says Finn Strøm Madsen,
President of Vestas Technology R&D.
A number of teams around the world are attempting to be the first to break
through 50 knots. There is everything from simple kite-surfers up to huge 60'
hydrofoiling trimarans.
The current record for the outright world speed sailing record is 49.09 knots,
and so far the Vestas SailRocket has reached 44 knots. Now it is time to break
boundaries and set new standards.
“It is probably the most amazing race you will see. It involves an incredible
array of sailors and disciplines spread all over the world trail blazing the
boundaries of what is possible with wind and water. The ultimate goal for us is
to be the fastest whatever that speed need to be,” says Paul Larsen, Team Leader
of Vestas SailRocket Team.
The Vestas SailRocket is designed by Malcolm Barnsley, Testing Specialist at
Vestas Technology R&D, Isle of Wight, UK.
“Vestas' SailRocket utilises a unique concept of geometric balance which means
great power can be harnessed without reliance on weight. In this way, the
tendency to capsize or lift off is removed - in fact, there is no stability
limit only a strength limit,” Malcom Barnsley explains.
The team behind the boat will use the coming months testing and improving the
vessel. Team leader, Paul Larsen, expects that the final attempts for breaking
the record will be initiated around October 2008.
The record attempt, which will take place over a distance of 500 metres, will
take place at the Walvis Bay on the coast of Namibia in Africa - and will be
ratified by the International Sailing Federation. At Walvis Bay a natural inlet
provides a unique combination of strong wind and calm waters.
For further information, please contact:
Finn Strøm Madsen, President of Vestas Technology R&D, telephone +45 9730 8008.
On www.vestassailrocket.com designer Malcolm Barnsley explains about the design
of the boat, and team leader Paul Larsen informs about the battle for 50 knots.
Yours sincerely
Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Finn Strøm Madsen
President, Technology R&D
Vestas - No. 1 in Modern Energy
Wind power is a renewable, predictable and clean energy resource. It has a fast
ramp-up and offers the energy independence demanded by some of world's largest
and fastest growing economies. This is why Vestas calls wind power Modern
Energy.
With a 23 per cent market share in 2007, Vestas is the world leader in
delivering Modern Energy. Vestas has already installed over 35,000 wind turbines
in 63 countries on five continents and it is installing a new turbine every four
hours. In 2007, Vestas turbines generated more than 60 million MWh - or enough
electricity to supply millions of households. During the last 25 years, Vestas
has improved the output of its turbines 100 times and is still continuously
improving turbine effectiveness. This is why Vestas is No.1 in Modern Energy.
