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"Extreme. Frightening. Fast." Jimmy Spithill on sailing at 47.5kts on autopilot

by Sail-World.com/nz 20 Sep 2018 05:58 PDT
MACIF gets onto her foils during sea trials, September 2018 © MACIF

Jimmy Spithill, twice winner of the America's Cup takes time out from America's Cup challenger Luna Rossa to have a stint of offshore sailing aboard the 30metre foiling trimaran MACIF - arguably the fastest sailing vessel on the planet. "Extreme. Frightening. Fast."

"It's amazing what you get used to," he commented. "In 30-35kts of wind we are getting up and doing over 47kts - on an autopilot! It's definitely a new experience," he grinned.

Francois Gabart (35) already holds the solo round the world record of 42 days 16 hours 40 minutes and 35 seconds - and that was before the 30metre trimaran went into the shed to have foils fitted. She is now sea trialing ahead of her next record attempt.

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