Explore over 30 years of achievement, from America’s Cup breakthroughs to zeroemission naval patents
AC75 (Luna Rossa); Racebird Foiling Electric Boat; FLY40; Foldable Hydrofoil Patent; Assisted Wind R&D (FEDER)
In 1995 Mario Caponnetto applied genetic algorithm methodologies to the optimisation of Rolla propellers, enabling multi-parameter performance exploration and improved efficiency in complex cavitation regimes. This early work helped establish algorithm-assisted hydrodynamic optimisation within the studio.
Rolla Propellers
Propeller R&D / Algorithm-Driven Hydrodynamic Optimisation
In 2004, Mario Caponnetto applied early RANS CFD modelling to Luna Rossa’s AC32 design phase, supporting iterative hull-shape refinement and performance prediction. These methods informed later America’s Cup workflows, shaping the studio’s transition to fully digital performance engineering.
In 2013, Mario Caponnetto supported hydrodynamic CFD development for the AC72 foiling platform that won the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco. Work focused on foil stability, VMG control envelopes and fast convergence cycles — reinforcing the team’s leadership in foil flight optimization.
Oracle Team USA
Foiling Catamaran / CFD / Cup Winner Development
In 2018, Caponnetto-Hueber developed flight-control and hydrodynamic concepts supporting the early SeaBubbles hydrofoil mobility platform. CFD-driven stability mapping and take-off/landing envelope calibration enabled a viable path for clean, silent, low-wake foiling transport in urban environments.
SeaBubbles
Urban Foiling Mobility / CFD / Control Strategy
In 2021, Caponnetto-Hueber led the CFD, foil design, and hydrodynamic engineering for the AC75 of Luna Rossa Challenge—the eventual Prada Cup winner. We deployed multiscale CFD and aero-hydro coupling to ensure optimum lift and control. Rapid iteration delivered performance gains under tight competition timelines.
Luna Rossa Challenge
Racing Concept / CFD / Foil Design
In 2024, Caponnetto-Hueber delivered the hydrodynamic and foiling architecture of the hydrogen-powered chase boat required by the 37th America’s Cup Protocol. Using advanced CFD and full-boat optimisation, CH enabled stable foiling at 50 knots, zero-emission operation and a highly efficient hydrogen-propulsion layout, meeting one of the most demanding performance and sustainability challenges ever set for a support vessel.
Bluegame / Sanlorenzo Group / America’s Cup
Hydrogen Foiling Vessel / Zero-Emission Support Craft
In 1992, Mario Caponnetto contributed to the CFD analysis and hydrodynamic optimisation workstreams for Il Moro di Venezia, the Italian challenger that won the Louis Vuitton Cup and reached the America’s Cup Match. The focus was on hull performance evaluation, parametric CFD testing and improving upwind/downwind efficiency across multiple sea state conditions.
Il Moro di Venezia / Italian Challenger Syndicate
America’s Cup R&D / CFD / Hydrodynamic
Between 1999 and 2000, Mario Caponnetto developed advanced hydrodynamic assessment methods for high-speed planing hulls, integrating CFD prediction with empirical validation to refine lift distribution, drag behavior and seakeeping stability. This milestone strengthened the studio’s planing craft methodology.
Internal Research
Hydrodynamic Research / High-Speed Hulls
During the 33rd America’s Cup cycle, Mario Caponnetto contributed to hydrodynamic assessment workstreams aligned with the BMW Oracle wing-sail platform — the configuration that ultimately won the Match. This milestone marked the shift toward aero-hydrodynamic integration in Cup design culture.
BMW Oracle Racing
America’s Cup / Aero-Hydro Integration / Performance Engineering
Caponnetto-Hueber contributed to foil performance work with Land Rover BAR in the AC35 cycle, applying refined CFD methods to stability, lift efficiency and flight-control envelopes. The Valencia office opened this same year, establishing a strategic Mediterranean R&D base for future Cup and offshore projects.
Land Rover BAR
Foils / CFD / America’s Cup R&D
In 2020, Caponnetto-Hueber advanced new workflows for wind-assisted propulsion with zero-emission focus, and developed early research around a Virtual Intelligent Design Assistant for faster engineering convergence. These initiatives expanded the studio beyond racing into sustainable maritime mobility.
Internal + EU Research Ecosystem
Sustainable Propulsion / AI-Assisted Naval Engineering
In 2022, the studio secured an assisted-propulsion patent and contributed to NepH2AIR, a hydrogen-based foiling research project with NEPTECH and H2PULSE within the GALATEA framework. This milestone reinforced Caponnetto-Hueber’s role in next-generation, low-impact naval mobility and hybrid propulsion systems.
NEPTECH / H2PULSE / GALATEA
Hydrogen Foiling R&D / Patent / Sustainable Propulsion
In 2025, Caponnetto-Hueber supported Bluegame in developing the BGF45, an advanced foiling assisted platform designed for deep efficiency, smooth dynamics and high-performance cruising. Through integrated CFD simulations, covering hull–foil interaction, stability and take-off behaviour, CH helped shape a lightweight, low-drag vessel that sets a new benchmark for future foiling yachts in the 40–50 ft range.
Bluegame / Sanlorenzo Group
Foiling Concept Design / Hydrodynamic & CFD Optimization