2008 update

Following our early 2007 attempt at Sandy Point, the team embarked on a long Winter that would be spent analysing and tuning the boat with a view to optimising Macquarie Innovation’s (MI) low wind speed performance.  We were more or less forced into taking this approach by the extended run of poor weather conditions that had been experienced at Sandy Point over the last 5 or so years. As an example of this, we recently calculated that the sailing team have spent less than 10 minutes of actual sailing time in MI since the end of 2005. And of this 10 minutes, 9.5 of these were spent in winds of less than 18 knots ! It is certainly a very different picture to that which was experienced during our time with Yellow Pages Endeavour.

We can now report though, that after deciding to return to Sandy Point in October of 2007 with an extended WSSRC campaign period, we have confirmed the advances made over Winter in our low wind speed range. Unfortunately, that’s about the limit of the news as yet again, out of three WSSRC 28 day periods, only 2.5 hours of possible sailing conditions were available !

The results of the limited on-water time was as usual, impressive, but not good enough to deliver the team its goals. Four complete 500m runs were managed in average wind strengths between 17 and 18 knots. The best of the runs was timed at 46.48 kts across the 500m course in a 17 knot average wind. Conditions were less than ideal, but it was pretty obvious that the efficiency changes made to MI over the Winter had not been wasted.

Fig 1: Macquarie Innovation in acceleration mode at Sandy Point

In fact, on several occasions, MI exceeded instantaneous speeds over 49 knots with the highest of these being recorded at the start of one of the runs.

All looks good for the performance of our craft, but we are very aware of the fact that this competition is about results. So while it may appear obvious to those that have witnessed MI in action, we are determined to prove for all to see, that we have a 50 knot craft.

We firmly believe that the missing component required to complete the final picture is the weather. It is a matter of presenting MI with an appropriate opportunity to run in its design conditions, which we currently have been unable to achieve. As an example of this, included below is a sample from the anemometers recording from the beach during one of our recent runs.

Fig 2: Average wind strength logged during MI’s 46.48kt run

It is anything but an ideal picture and far removed from the 20 knot wind that we seek. It does serve however, to highlight the extraordinary capabilities of our craft, especially considering that we were able to achieve a 46.48 knot run in these conditions (that’s only 0.05 kts away from a new class record).

While on the subject of extraordinary performances, our entire team wish to pass on its congratulations to Antoine Albeau and his team on setting a new world mark at 49.09 kts. From all reports, it was a truly exceptional effort in extreme conditions and thoroughly deserving of the title of “Worlds Fastest Sailor” – congratulations !

So there is still plenty of work for us to do and the team will now return to our home base and begin planning for the future. It is expected that MI will undergo some further refinements over Winter trying to progress the efficiency gains made from last Winter’s efforts. Our group and its supporters are convinced that MI will be a worthy holder of the title of a “50 knot” sailing craft and we continue to work hard to realise that promise.

Finally, thankyou again to those that have conveyed countless messages of support to the team via this site or directly from the beach at Sandy Point. It may not seem much to the people that offer the encouragement, but it means a great deal to those receiving it and the entire team and its supporters would like to take this opportunity to pass on their thanks for your thoughts – they are greatly appreciated.