Bcomp natural fiber materials featured in Foiling SuMoth Challenge

As part of its role as official partner, Bcomp Ltd.’s (Fribourg, Switzerland) natural fiber materials were present in the foiling boats that were designed and raced in the Foiling SuMoth Challenge back in July.

The Foiling SuMoth Challenge is a staged competition among student teams from technical universities for the best design, construction and on-water racing of a sustainable foiling moth. It took place during the 11^th edition of Foiling Week on Lake Garda in Malcesine, Italy. The event featured the design, testing and racing of boats equipped with wing-like foils that lift the hull out of the water as they gain speed, as well as educational events and foil classes.

Participants were able to learn about natural fiber composites and explore the hands-on application of Bcomp’s ampliTex and powerRibs from the design to performance trials and racing stages. Biocomposites have been used to replace carbon fibers in the design of component parts like fins and the hulls of moths. Bcomp, in addition to use of its materials, offered valuable guidance and support to the 11 participating teams.

Over the three stages of the contest, students’ innovations laid the foundation for future sustainable foils and sailboats, as well as equipped the more than 300 student participants with knowledge and hands-on experience that they can carry forward into the industry. 

“We are excited by the skills and passion that this next generation of marine engineers and architects are bringing to the challenge of reducing the environmental impacts of the marine sector,” says Paolo Dassi, a SuMoth Jury member and marine and industry manager at Bcomp. Dassi played a role in providing insights about the use of sustainable natural fiber materials and technologies in marine manufacturing applications. “If this is evidence of the future of sustainable design, then we are in good hands.”

The designs of eight teams made it through the performance trials and out onto the water for the race. The design stage was won by Canadian team Rafale ETS, followed by Italy’s Politecnico di Torino Sailing Team and the Swedish Chalmers Formula Sailing Team. Last year’s overall leader, the Audace Sailing Team from Italy, won the manufacturing and performance stage of the contest, with the Politecnico team taking second place, followed by the U.K.’s University of Southampton SuMoth Team in third. After a challenging race in a final stage that put each team’s moth to the ultimate test, the overall winner of the 2024 Foiling SuMoth Challenge was Italy’s own Politecnico di Milano Sailing Team.