Azimut Yachts has joined as technical partner and official yachting partner of Ferrari Hypersail, Ferrari’s project designed for offshore ocean racing.
Hypersail’s operational base is set up at the Azimut shiyard in Livorno and a customised Azimut Fly 72 x Ferrari Hypersail will serve as a tow boat, developed by Azimut’s technical department to support Ferrari Hypersail during initial flight testing of the prototype and any subsequent test campaigns.
The Ferrari Hypersail is a 100ft flying ocean monohull developed with a focus on aerodynamics.
Andrea Antichi, general manager at Azimut Yachts, says: “We are the only brand in the industry with an independent R&D department focused exclusively on developing solutions that don’t yet exist on the market. It’s a choice driven by an insatiable hunger for progress, the same progress that has resulted in our joining forces with the visionary Ferrari Hypersail project. We are proud to be part of this challenging endeavour that generates new knowledge and inspiration for the yachting world.”
Lorenzo Giorgetti, chief racing revenue officer at Ferrari, says: “The Ferrari Hypersail project was born out of the desire to create something never seen before, bringing Ferrari’s racing DNA to the world of ocean sailing yachts.
“We are delighted to have Azimut Yachts on board; their contribution to the custom tow boat project and the Livorno operational base will support a series of key activities during the project’s development and testing phase.”
Azimut Fly 72 x Ferrari Hypersail
Azimut’s R&D and technical departments have answered a highly complex technical challenge: to design a performance vessel capable of propelling the Ferrari Hypersail prototype to a speed of around 30 knots during initial trials – without mast and sails – as well as supporting the dynamics of take off and flying on the foils.
The customised Azimut Fly 72 platform has undergone adjustments to the power-to-weight ratio; a drastic weight-reduction programme based on the extensive use of carbon fibre has reduced the overall weight by six tonnes. Meanwhile, the integration of 4,000 horsepower into the structural and systems architecture – doubling the model’s power with a configuration developed exclusively for Ferrari Hypersail – has instilled a racing spirit in the yacht.
To secure the Fly 72 to the prototype, the hull has also been fitted with a special tow post, designed based on rigorous strength tests to withstand extreme static and dynamic stresses. This highly engineered project has seen the seamless integration of Azimut’s expertise in naval design, structural and systems engineering, and interior fit-out.
Finally, the entire on-board configuration has been customised to accommodate the team led by Enrico Voltolini and make their work easier during testing. In subsequent phases, the Azimut Fly 72 will also be used to accommodate the crew and provide VIP hospitality.
The vessel will support the Ferrari Hypersail team from the key stages of initial testing right through to major events around the world. Innovation takes off.
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