Dimitri Despierres is a Mechanical Engineer whose career has been shaped by a pursuit of the impossible in high-performance sailing. With over 20 years in the America’s Cup, he has helped pioneer hydrofoiling technology, redefining what’s possible on the water. As Mechatronic and Engineering Lead, he guides both design and systems engineering, overseeing the Flight Control System group and platform mechanisms that make precision flight a reality.
With more than 20 years of experience in high-performance marine engineering, Dimitri Despierres serves as Mechatronic and Engineering Lead. His background includes leading-edge work on hydrofoiling systems in the America’s Cup, where he has helped push the boundaries of performance and innovation.
He specializes in transforming design concepts into advanced engineered mechanisms, bringing expertise in mechatronic systems, structural design, and hydrofoiling flight control. At the project’s core, he leads the development of the platform structure and the Flight Control System.
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