oils like tires, the hull like the chassis, sails like engines. These analogies were used to compare AC75, the flying boats in the latest edition of America’s cup, with Formula 1 cars Journalists and TV commentators dealt with the topic, to make these strange and complex flying machines known to the general public, as they were seen hurtling at 40 knots when the wind did not exceed 15. It happened in bars, schools and offices, where somebody was always trying to explain how these race machines could possibly work. And we did deal with the topic, as qualified journalists who have often fallen back on the analogy to simplify technical details. Foils like tires, hull like chassis, sails like engines, ok; why, however, should we consider this relevant? We, the mere mortals who sail without flying, why should we? An answer exists! We are keen on this technology exactly as we care about technical innovations introduced by Formula 1 cars, knowing that the same innovations are likely to be found in our cars some years later. The question now rises spontaneously: what kind of innovations, introduced by AC75, are we bound to find on our boats in the future? Let us go and find out. Before facing the topic, let us go back to the nights we spent watching tv, waiting for these fascinating and frightening boats to skim and fly over the flat water in Gulf
