Proponents say the Flying Phantom catamaran is quite arguably the future of sailing. It's a two-person vessel powered by the wind and a unique hydrofoil design. The hydrofoil lifts the vessel above water as it cuts through heavy ocean conditions, requiring much less energy to propel the craft at speeds up to 30 knots. Eight two-member sailing teams descended on the port city of Wakayama Japan to duel over three days in identical Flying Phantom vessels, marking the launch of Red Bull Foiling Generation.
Sunday's thrilling finale saw 17-year-olds Shinichiro Yano and Issei Fujiki take advantage of perfect 12-knot wind conditions to get ahead of rivals Eri Fukazawa and Crew Takayama in a dramatic knock-out finish. Yano and Fujiki's prize for victory is a place at the 2016 World Final where they will be joined by six more national winners.
The regatta in Japan began the search of Double Olympic champions Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher for the sailing stars of the future. Open to prodigious sailors aged 16-20, Red Bull Foiling Generation will also be holding national finals in the UK, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Russia and France before pitting the best against the best at a World Final in late 2016.
The next stop for the series is in the UK with a knock-out battle between the best young sailors of the British Isles scheduled for June 26-28.
