As official CFD software provider for ETNZ's hydrodynamic simulations, Numeca is proud to have been part of this impressive success story. Having collaborated together in previous America's Cup challenges as well, we have witnessed an incredible evolution of technology, not in the least in the boat's hydrodynamics, where a multitude of various configurations have been simulated to reach continuous optimal ride height.

“We needed the best tools to prepare for the America's Cup. FINE™/Marine did everything we asked of it with accuracy and speed, we can highly recommend it.“ - Nick Hutchins, Design & CFD Engineer Emirates Team New Zealand

For this edition of the America's Cup, among many other elements described in the 50-page design guidelines, the hull design had to be identical for all boats. This means that all attention for making a difference had to go to optimizing the appendages like the hydrofoils. The hydrofoils are the elements that boost the boats up, out of the waves, like an underwater wing, literally making them fly over the water.

Since the hydrofoils play such a significant role in the race, it is important to be able to compare as many variances as possible in order to achieve the perfect balance between speed, stability and robustness. Dedicated solutions have been developed by NUMECA to create a fast, robust and accurate CFD RANS-based chain, capable of performing matrices of several hundreds of hydrofoil conditions in a few days in a totally reliable way! Because even the smallest possible change, makes a huge difference in a race like this.