Azimut Yachts is Technical Partner and Official Yachting Partner of Ferrari Hypersail, Ferrari’s project designed for offshore ocean racing.
The collaboration starts on shore – with Hypersail’s Operational Base set up at the Azimut shiyard in Livorno – and extends out to sea with the Azimut Fly 72 x Ferrari Hypersail, the custom tow boat developed by Azimut’s Technical Department to support Ferrari Hypersail during initial flight testing of the prototype and any subsequent test campaigns. As partner of Ferrari Hypersail, Azimut brings decades of research and its history of innovation to an ambitious, high-tech Italian project: “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.” said Andrea Antichi, General Manager at Azimut Yachts.
“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.” underlined Lorenzo Giorgetti, Chief Racing Revenue Officer at Ferrari.
Azimut Fly 72: Built to launch Ferrari Hypersail
Azimut’s R&D and Technical Departments were presented with a highly complex technical challenge: to design a high-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 solution developed customises the Azimut Fly 72 platform through targeted adjustments to the power-to-weight ratio. On one hand, a drastic weight-reduction programme based on the extensive use of carbon fibre has reduced the overall weight by six tonnes. On the other, 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. The installation required a custom design, made possible by the team’s experience and Azimut’s pioneering use of carbon fibre in the yachting world.
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.
