This guy has beaten the world speed record by 15 knots!!!! Is that not like someone coming out and beating Usain Bolt over 100 meters by 30 meters???? Am I looking at this too simplistically or is this achievement that incredible???
I'm really surprised that the papers aren't all over this. It really should be front page news but I can't see it reported anywhere.
There was an article in The Age a few days ago but that was just a cut and past from a US paper and wasn't about the latest run.
I guess the story wouldn't be negative so it doesn't rate.
We can read that this thing was "designed for 65kn"... now that they are peaking at 68kn, all of this footage is showing where/how it can by tweaked...
In particular:
- there is *a lot* of spray coming off the pods + foil... a little draggy?
- the span+wing is flying a bit high.
- from the footage there looks to be some control issues... and we know that "control is good".
Some time ago I posted that I couldn't see how VSR1 would be a record contender (aka +50kn)... this thing is not just "an evolution" of that design, it is significantly different in too many ways. I wouldn't be surprised that VSR2+mods could achieve +70kn (actually probably would have to be a VSR3, as geometries change).
And further, I am really keen to read about the pitting seen on the foils. Cavitation bubbles get larger with increased speed... and 70kn (130kph) is starting to push well into that area.
At one point I hypothesized the shape for a super-cavitating foil. Since then there appears to have been a free'ing up of that knowledge. For example, we now understand how penguins can jump onto an ice-shelf:
www.gizmodo.co.uk/2012/04/penguins-rocket-through-the-water-aboard-supercavitating-bubble-jets/
I am now thinking a shape based on something like this, might work for windsurfing:
www.amc.edu.au/news/research/cloud-cavitation-0
Does anyone know what is the % contributor to drag (hull, foils, aero) for a windsurfer at speed (50+?).
I'm sure Ian K has done some calcs before...
Also re: supercavitating foils - would they provide lift to oppose the sail or would they spin out?
