Foiling Technology Zone at METS: racing technology for leisure boating
The fourth edition of the Foiling Technology Zone, taking place at Metstrade in Amsterdam from 17 to 19 November, marks another step in the transfer of technologies developed for competitive sailing to leisure boating and commercial applications. Twenty-six exhibitors will be based in Hall 10 at RAI Amsterdam, in an area developed by The Foiling Organization (TFO) and the Metstrade organisers to bring together designers, specialist companies and marine industry professionals. The initiative originated in 2022 with an idea put forward by TFO president Luca Rizzotti to Metstrade director Niels Klarenbeek. Since its debut in 2023, the Foiling Technology Zone has increasingly become a meeting point between expertise gained in top-level racing, particularly the America’s Cup, and an industry keen to explore the potential of foils for workboats, leisure craft and superyachts.
The central theme of the 2026 edition, however, is not purely technological. Wider commercial adoption of foiling craft also requires the industry to address regulation, certification procedures and insurability, issues that are becoming increasingly important as potential applications expand. These subjects will be the focus of a meeting organised by TFO on Monday 16 November, the day before Metstrade opens. The members-only meeting already has more than 80 confirmed participants and will bring together industry representatives, notified bodies and insurers to identify shared criteria for assessing foiling craft. The stated aim is to establish an operational certification process during 2027, while also addressing insurance requirements. “When I discussed the idea with Niels in 2022, I wanted to bring foiling expertise directly to the industry that could develop it further”, explains Luca Rizzotti. “Today we can see that work turning into products and business relationships. But engineering alone is not enough. Builders need a clear route to certification, and customers need to know that their boats can be insured”.
The Foiling Technology Zone programme includes three panel discussions, all moderated by Rizzotti, covering different aspects of the sector’s development. The first, on Tuesday 17 November at 12:30, will look at market prospects, standards and the question of insurance. Speakers will be Klaus Röder, a consultant on recreational craft, Julian Jesson of North Shore Risk Limited, Eloy Rodriguez of Foilchemy and Adam Greene, technical director of HPiVS. On Wednesday 18 November at 13:00, the focus will shift to the transfer of America’s Cup technology to commercial vessels. Taking part will be Tyson Lamond, CEO of American Magic Services, Ferdinand van West, naval architect at Van West Naval Architecture, and Oliver Moore, co-founder and director of Moore Brothers Company. The subject extends beyond foils themselves to the broader body of knowledge developed through racing in design, structures and control systems.
The third session, on Thursday 19 November at 14:45, will focus on the application of America’s Cup technologies in the superyacht sector. Speakers include Mark Somerville, general manager and CTO of Persico Marine, Martin Bivoit of PURE Design & Engineering, Douglas M. Shickler of Van Oossanen Naval Architects and Francis Hueber of Caponnetto Hueber, alongside Julian Jesson. The 26 exhibitors at the Foiling Technology Zone include companies and research centres involved in the design, construction and development of foiling systems, among them CDK Technologies, MARIN, Sangiorgio Marine, Eligio Re Fraschini and Caponnetto Hueber. The event is supported by Persico Marine and insurance partner North Shore Risk Limited.
Giuliano Luzzatto