Valencia has already played a defining role in the evolution of high-performance sailing. Now, the challenge is to transform that extraordinary legacy into a new era of maritime innovation, scientific research and industrial development.
On October 29th, Caponnetto Hueber (CH) and Valencia Boat Show (VBS) jointly organised the roundtable “From Valencia to the Future of Sailing: The Technological Legacy of High-Performance Competition” at the iconic Veles e Vents building.
The event brought together representatives from naval engineering, yacht construction, elite sailing competitions and public institutions to reflect on how technologies developed in the most demanding racing environments can shape the future of the maritime industry and why Valencia is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in that transformation.
The morning began with a welcome coffee hosted by Caponnetto Hueber.
The roundtable featured Mario Caponnetto, CTO of Caponnetto Hueber; Marc García Manzana, Director General of Coasts, Ports and Airports of the Valencian Government; Yiyo Losada, representing King Marine; and Toni Alquézar, representing Los Gallos SailGP Team Spain. The discussion was moderated by Nacho Gómez.
A central theme of the conversation was the need to recognise Valencia’s contribution to one of the most significant technological transformations in modern sailing.
Drawing on his personal experience, Mario Caponnetto recalled arriving in Valencia for the 2007 America’s Cup, a period that marked a turning point in his professional journey and in the development of new approaches to high-performance yacht design.
He reflected on the technical discussions and experimental work carried out in the city, particularly around multihull concepts and the use of Extreme 40 catamarans to explore new possibilities for match racing.
These investigations formed part of a broader technological evolution that would eventually transform competitive sailing, paving the way for increasingly sophisticated foiling vessels, from the AC75s of the America’s Cup to today’s F50s competing in SailGP.
For Mario, this history deserves greater recognition. Valencia was not simply the host of a major sporting event. It was one of the places where ideas, experimentation and engineering helped redefine the future of sailing.
Another important focus of his contribution was the transfer of knowledge from elite competition to the wider maritime industry.
For decades, yacht design relied heavily on accumulated experience and empirical methods. The extreme demands of high-performance racing accelerated the adoption of increasingly sophisticated scientific methodologies, numerical simulation and advanced engineering tools.
In a discipline where even the smallest performance advantage can determine the outcome of a race, understanding and optimising the interaction between air, water and vessel geometry becomes essential.
Today, these methodologies extend far beyond competitive sailing. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), hydrodynamic optimisation and advanced performance analysis are helping engineers design vessels with reduced resistance, improved energy efficiency and better overall performance.
This connection between competition and practical application lies at the heart of Caponnetto Hueber’s work: transforming the knowledge developed at the highest levels of sailing into engineering solutions that contribute to a more efficient and innovative maritime industry.
Yet the discussion was not only about looking back.
One of the most important questions raised during the event was how Valencia could build upon its technological heritage to establish itself as a reference point for future maritime innovation.
Mario highlighted the opportunity to develop a stronger ecosystem connecting engineering companies, research institutions, education, industry and technological development.
Valencia already possesses a remarkable history in international sailing and a valuable foundation of technical knowledge. The next step is to create the conditions for that expertise to generate new businesses, research initiatives, industrial opportunities and highly qualified employment.
Within this vision, specialised education in naval architecture and marine engineering emerged as a fundamental priority.
Drawing on his teaching experience in Genoa, Mario explained how dedicated educational programmes in yacht design helped develop generations of professionals who later contributed to the Italian and international nautical industries.
He expressed his belief that Valencia should aspire to offer specialised naval engineering education, allowing local talent to develop the skills needed to participate in the next generation of maritime technologies.
Today, Caponnetto Hueber brings together engineers from different countries at its Valencia offices. While this international diversity is one of the company’s strengths, Mario also emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for young professionals from Valencia to study, specialise and build careers in naval engineering without necessarily having to leave the region.
Education, in this sense, is more than professional training. It is the foundation of a scientific and technological culture capable of supporting long-term industrial innovation.
The roundtable demonstrated the importance of bringing together different perspectives—from yacht designers and builders to racing professionals, engineering specialists and public institutions—to develop a shared vision for the future of the maritime sector.
At Caponnetto Hueber, we would like to thank Marc García Manzana, Yiyo Losada and Toni Alquézar for sharing their perspectives alongside Mario Caponnetto; Nacho Gómez for moderating the discussion; and Julio Delgado and Luis Cervera for their institutional support.
Our special thanks go to Isabel Gil and the entire Valencia Boat Show team for their collaboration in organising this event, as well as to all the professionals and representatives who joined us for this meaningful conversation.
More than a reflection on the past, the event was an invitation to look ahead.
Valencia has already demonstrated its capacity to become a meeting point for world-class sailing, advanced engineering and technological breakthroughs. Its next great opportunity lies in turning that legacy into a lasting ecosystem of knowledge, education, research and maritime innovation.
The next frontier is at sea. Valencia can lead the way again.
Valencia has already played a defining role in the evolution of high-performance sailing. Now, the challenge is to transform that extraordinary legacy into a new era of maritime innovation, scientific research and industrial development.
On October 29th, Caponnetto Hueber (CH) and Valencia Boat Show (VBS) jointly organised the roundtable “From Valencia to the Future of Sailing: The Technological Legacy of High-Performance Competition” at the iconic Veles e Vents building.
The event brought together representatives from naval engineering, yacht construction, elite sailing competitions and public institutions to reflect on how technologies developed in the most demanding racing environments can shape the future of the maritime industry and why Valencia is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in that transformation.
The morning began with a welcome coffee hosted by Caponnetto Hueber.
The roundtable featured Mario Caponnetto, CTO of Caponnetto Hueber; Marc García Manzana, Director General of Coasts, Ports and Airports of the Valencian Government; Yiyo Losada, representing King Marine; and Toni Alquézar, representing Los Gallos SailGP Team Spain. The discussion was moderated by Nacho Gómez.
A central theme of the conversation was the need to recognise Valencia’s contribution to one of the most significant technological transformations in modern sailing.
Drawing on his personal experience, Mario Caponnetto recalled arriving in Valencia for the 2007 America’s Cup, a period that marked a turning point in his professional journey and in the development of new approaches to high-performance yacht design.
He reflected on the technical discussions and experimental work carried out in the city, particularly around multihull concepts and the use of Extreme 40 catamarans to explore new possibilities for match racing.
These investigations formed part of a broader technological evolution that would eventually transform competitive sailing, paving the way for increasingly sophisticated foiling vessels, from the AC75s of the America’s Cup to today’s F50s competing in SailGP.
For Mario, this history deserves greater recognition. Valencia was not simply the host of a major sporting event. It was one of the places where ideas, experimentation and engineering helped redefine the future of sailing.
Another important focus of his contribution was the transfer of knowledge from elite competition to the wider maritime industry.
For decades, yacht design relied heavily on accumulated experience and empirical methods. The extreme demands of high-performance racing accelerated the adoption of increasingly sophisticated scientific methodologies, numerical simulation and advanced engineering tools.
In a discipline where even the smallest performance advantage can determine the outcome of a race, understanding and optimising the interaction between air, water and vessel geometry becomes essential.
Today, these methodologies extend far beyond competitive sailing. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), hydrodynamic optimisation and advanced performance analysis are helping engineers design vessels with reduced resistance, improved energy efficiency and better overall performance.
This connection between competition and practical application lies at the heart of Caponnetto Hueber’s work: transforming the knowledge developed at the highest levels of sailing into engineering solutions that contribute to a more efficient and innovative maritime industry.
Yet the discussion was not only about looking back.
One of the most important questions raised during the event was how Valencia could build upon its technological heritage to establish itself as a reference point for future maritime innovation.
Mario highlighted the opportunity to develop a stronger ecosystem connecting engineering companies, research institutions, education, industry and technological development.
Valencia already possesses a remarkable history in international sailing and a valuable foundation of technical knowledge. The next step is to create the conditions for that expertise to generate new businesses, research initiatives, industrial opportunities and highly qualified employment.
Within this vision, specialised education in naval architecture and marine engineering emerged as a fundamental priority.
Drawing on his teaching experience in Genoa, Mario explained how dedicated educational programmes in yacht design helped develop generations of professionals who later contributed to the Italian and international nautical industries.
He expressed his belief that Valencia should aspire to offer specialised naval engineering education, allowing local talent to develop the skills needed to participate in the next generation of maritime technologies.
Today, Caponnetto Hueber brings together engineers from different countries at its Valencia offices. While this international diversity is one of the company’s strengths, Mario also emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for young professionals from Valencia to study, specialise and build careers in naval engineering without necessarily having to leave the region.
Education, in this sense, is more than professional training. It is the foundation of a scientific and technological culture capable of supporting long-term industrial innovation.
The roundtable demonstrated the importance of bringing together different perspectives—from yacht designers and builders to racing professionals, engineering specialists and public institutions—to develop a shared vision for the future of the maritime sector.
At Caponnetto Hueber, we would like to thank Marc García Manzana, Yiyo Losada and Toni Alquézar for sharing their perspectives alongside Mario Caponnetto; Nacho Gómez for moderating the discussion; and Julio Delgado and Luis Cervera for their institutional support.
Our special thanks go to Isabel Gil and the entire Valencia Boat Show team for their collaboration in organising this event, as well as to all the professionals and representatives who joined us for this meaningful conversation.
More than a reflection on the past, the event was an invitation to look ahead.
Valencia has already demonstrated its capacity to become a meeting point for world-class sailing, advanced engineering and technological breakthroughs. Its next great opportunity lies in turning that legacy into a lasting ecosystem of knowledge, education, research and maritime innovation.
The next frontier is at sea. Valencia can lead the way again.
Valencia has already played a defining role in the evolution of high-performance sailing. Now, the challenge is to transform that extraordinary legacy into a new era of maritime innovation, scientific research and industrial development.
On October 29th, Caponnetto Hueber (CH) and Valencia Boat Show (VBS) jointly organised the roundtable “From Valencia to the Future of Sailing: The Technological Legacy of High-Performance Competition” at the iconic Veles e Vents building.
The event brought together representatives from naval engineering, yacht construction, elite sailing competitions and public institutions to reflect on how technologies developed in the most demanding racing environments can shape the future of the maritime industry and why Valencia is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in that transformation.
The morning began with a welcome coffee hosted by Caponnetto Hueber.
The roundtable featured Mario Caponnetto, CTO of Caponnetto Hueber; Marc García Manzana, Director General of Coasts, Ports and Airports of the Valencian Government; Yiyo Losada, representing King Marine; and Toni Alquézar, representing Los Gallos SailGP Team Spain. The discussion was moderated by Nacho Gómez.
A central theme of the conversation was the need to recognise Valencia’s contribution to one of the most significant technological transformations in modern sailing.
Drawing on his personal experience, Mario Caponnetto recalled arriving in Valencia for the 2007 America’s Cup, a period that marked a turning point in his professional journey and in the development of new approaches to high-performance yacht design.
He reflected on the technical discussions and experimental work carried out in the city, particularly around multihull concepts and the use of Extreme 40 catamarans to explore new possibilities for match racing.
These investigations formed part of a broader technological evolution that would eventually transform competitive sailing, paving the way for increasingly sophisticated foiling vessels, from the AC75s of the America’s Cup to today’s F50s competing in SailGP.
For Mario, this history deserves greater recognition. Valencia was not simply the host of a major sporting event. It was one of the places where ideas, experimentation and engineering helped redefine the future of sailing.
Another important focus of his contribution was the transfer of knowledge from elite competition to the wider maritime industry.
For decades, yacht design relied heavily on accumulated experience and empirical methods. The extreme demands of high-performance racing accelerated the adoption of increasingly sophisticated scientific methodologies, numerical simulation and advanced engineering tools.
In a discipline where even the smallest performance advantage can determine the outcome of a race, understanding and optimising the interaction between air, water and vessel geometry becomes essential.
Today, these methodologies extend far beyond competitive sailing. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), hydrodynamic optimisation and advanced performance analysis are helping engineers design vessels with reduced resistance, improved energy efficiency and better overall performance.
This connection between competition and practical application lies at the heart of Caponnetto Hueber’s work: transforming the knowledge developed at the highest levels of sailing into engineering solutions that contribute to a more efficient and innovative maritime industry.
Yet the discussion was not only about looking back.
One of the most important questions raised during the event was how Valencia could build upon its technological heritage to establish itself as a reference point for future maritime innovation.
Mario highlighted the opportunity to develop a stronger ecosystem connecting engineering companies, research institutions, education, industry and technological development.
Valencia already possesses a remarkable history in international sailing and a valuable foundation of technical knowledge. The next step is to create the conditions for that expertise to generate new businesses, research initiatives, industrial opportunities and highly qualified employment.
Within this vision, specialised education in naval architecture and marine engineering emerged as a fundamental priority.
Drawing on his teaching experience in Genoa, Mario explained how dedicated educational programmes in yacht design helped develop generations of professionals who later contributed to the Italian and international nautical industries.
He expressed his belief that Valencia should aspire to offer specialised naval engineering education, allowing local talent to develop the skills needed to participate in the next generation of maritime technologies.
Today, Caponnetto Hueber brings together engineers from different countries at its Valencia offices. While this international diversity is one of the company’s strengths, Mario also emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for young professionals from Valencia to study, specialise and build careers in naval engineering without necessarily having to leave the region.
Education, in this sense, is more than professional training. It is the foundation of a scientific and technological culture capable of supporting long-term industrial innovation.
The roundtable demonstrated the importance of bringing together different perspectives—from yacht designers and builders to racing professionals, engineering specialists and public institutions—to develop a shared vision for the future of the maritime sector.
At Caponnetto Hueber, we would like to thank Marc García Manzana, Yiyo Losada and Toni Alquézar for sharing their perspectives alongside Mario Caponnetto; Nacho Gómez for moderating the discussion; and Julio Delgado and Luis Cervera for their institutional support.
Our special thanks go to Isabel Gil and the entire Valencia Boat Show team for their collaboration in organising this event, as well as to all the professionals and representatives who joined us for this meaningful conversation.
More than a reflection on the past, the event was an invitation to look ahead.
Valencia has already demonstrated its capacity to become a meeting point for world-class sailing, advanced engineering and technological breakthroughs. Its next great opportunity lies in turning that legacy into a lasting ecosystem of knowledge, education, research and maritime innovation.
The next frontier is at sea. Valencia can lead the way again.
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
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