SPORT Sailing Beyonds Limits

The FlyingNikka stands as a paragon in the realm of foiling. Launched in Valencia, Spain, in 2022, the yacht and its crew—composed of Roberto Lacorte, Alessio Razeto, Enrico Zennaro, Lorenzo Bressani, Lorenzo de Felice, Andrea Fornaro—have consistently pushed the boundaries of maritime possibilities.

Designed by naval architect Mark Mills, from an idea by owner Roberto Lacorte, this nearly 19-meter carbon composite monohull is the most advanced foiling yacht in the world. For this new season, the crew faces fresh challenges and sets ambitious goals. The primary target? “Finding a good balance between performance and crew safety,” explains Alessio Razeto.

To this end, the boat has been dismantled and its components thoroughly reviewed. “We X-rayed the yacht to detect any potential cracks invisible to the naked eye,” he adds.

The crew particularly focused on optimizing the boat’s performance in light wind conditions, lowering the wind threshold necessary for takeoff, to enhance competitiveness even in less favorable conditions. While the FlyingNikka currently ascends above the water at a wind speed of 9.5 knots, the ultimate goal is to take off at 8.5 knots (15 km/h).

To accomplish this feat, the team has refined the boat’s aerodynamics, foil efficiency, and sail design wherever possible. However, these modifications are subject to certain restrictions aimed at ensuring crew safety and maintaining a level playing field between teams.

Several thrilling races are already scheduled. Among these is the Regate di Primavera, an iconic coastal event in the stunning region of Portofino, Italy, which promises to be a real test of skills and strategy for the FlyingNikka crew alongside the 151-mile race in Giraglia.

But one of the most intriguing upcoming challenges is the “No Keel Test,” set for July. This experiment will intentionally capsize the boat, without its keel, to better understand its behavior under extreme conditions. A challenge that will challenge the crew’s navigation skills as well as the resilience and robustness of the FlyingNikka.

Needless to say, we will closely follow the adventures of the FlyingNikka as its crew continues to push technological boundaries to remain at the forefront of water sports, akin to what TAG Heuer strives to achieve in the field of watchmaking. Testifying to this is the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph, which accompanies each crew member aboard the FlyingNikka.