The 19m foiling monohull FlyingNikka has been officially launched in Punta Ala
by FlyingNikka 5 Jun 2022 12:40 BST
"A rapid sequence of emotions. "This is the best definition of the official launch of FlyingNikka that took place today in Punta Ala.
"I'm extremely happy to officially present the FlyingNikka project in Punta Ala, this is a location I am particularly attached to, especially during such an incredible event as the 151 Miglia", claims Roberto Lacorte, the Ship Owner and helmsman of this new, astonishing racer full foil. Roberto is also the man behind this really challenging project. "
"Today marks a milestone for our team, and for the Italian sailing movement as well: I'm really proud and satisfied to say that we are the first team in the world that was able to imagine, design and build this kind of boat. And the best is yet to come. In fact, it is coming, and we are more than ready to make FlyingNikka fly".
Almost 19 meters, with two T-shaped foil arms, FlyingNikka is the evolution of the AC75 used in the last America's Cup and is designed for long offshore sailing regattas.
This is the first racer in the Mini Maxi Category that can sails in a full foil mode, the first example of a new generation of racing boats that aims at winning all the greatest, international classic regattas in real time, as well as "crashing" all distance records of the most important routes.
FlyingNikka has been designed by an amazing team, managed by Mark Mills, and built in just 8 months at the Kink Marine shipyard in Valencia, under the supervision of the Project Manager Miguel Costa. On the 5th of May the boat has touched water for the first technical launch, followed by training tests that confirmed predictions: FlyingNikka performances are unbelievable and will allow the Italian boat to face long offshore crossing by sailing with foils at a speed of more than 40 knots.
A challenge without precedent for the team lead by Roberto Lacorte, along with Team Manager Alessio Razeto and Lorenzo Bressani, Enrico Zennaro, Andrea Fornaro and Lorenzo De Felice, who already sailed with Lacorte on the successful SuperNikka.
"Tests have confirmed that FlyingNikka is fast, stable and secure. Clearly, we still have to work hard to fully take advantage of its huge potential, but it has been a great start and we are really satisfied of the job done by our designers team, under the supervision of Mark Mills and the King Marine shipyard", concludes Lacorte.
Many people have attended today the launch ceremony hosted by Carlo Genta, Radio24 famous speaker and journalist, with some prestigious guests, as Francesco Ettorre, President of the Italian Sailing Federation, Antonello Coletta, Ferrari GT Sporting Activites Manages, the businessman Carlo Puri Negri and Elena Nappi, Castiglione della Pescaia Mayor.
Also present Roberto Fusco, President of the Punta Ala Marina, Fabrizio Sonnini, owner of the Costa Etrusca shipyard, and Alessandro Masini, President of Yacht Club Punta Ala, together with YC Repubblica Marinara di Pisa, that will support FlyingNikka.
After the blessing and the presentation of the sailing and shore teams, around 2 pm Luisa Cognetti, FlyingNikka Godmother and co-owner along with her husband Roberto, has broken the bottle, officially starting the adventure of this ultra-revolutionary boat, which immediately show off during an exit off the coast of Punta Ala.
Just few moments before, the launch guests were able to assist the news FlyingNikka movie trailer, which will be available online after the official presentation. But we will discuss it another time.
We remind you that FlyingNikka is supported by North Sails, B&G and Montura. Main sponsor of the project is Cetilar®, well-known brand of the pharmaceutical company PharmaNutra, which is present in many sport disciplines, like motorsport, running, sailing and football.