Wing sails were starting to become news while I was a budding naval architect. Initially they were being used by the crazies doing the "Little America's Cup" in C-class catamarans, the technology was used in the infamous "Cat and Dog" America's cup by Stars and Stripes and by the time I left the field, the speed sailing record was held by a wing sail boat - Yellow Pages Endeavour. They always held a lot of promise, but the main promise was one of almost unending maintenance and vast vast expense, particularly if one were to capsize.

So I was a little surprised to hear that BMW Oracle are now running a wing sail on their 90ft square trimaran. Built by two Kiwis, no less. I mean, gawd, look at that thing - 190ft tall (80% bigger than a 747 wing) and presumably almost entirely carbon fibre. And what an entirely beautiful boat. I so want a go :)