G4 foiling catamaran winter testing automated foil control system carbon by DNA Performance Sailing

It is the end of February. An Eeasterly wind brings a Siberian weather system to our region -nicknamed Beast from the East- and causes chaos and disruption across Europe. Hundreds of flights are cancelled. Trains break down. Motorists find themselves stuck on highways and trapped in frosty conditions. The big chill freezes canal, ponds and lakes. People are skating on the historic canals in Amsterdam. And we go sailing.. With ice already building up around the periphery of lake Markermeer, next to our facility, there is not too much time before the lake will be fully covered in ice. We have a G4 scheduled to leave in a matter of weeks and need to test the latest updates of the automated foil control system. Everything has been dry tested for months and it is time to put it to the real test. The hydraulic oil operating main sheet, traveler and board up and down movement is thick, seals and bushing are stiff and ropes are rigid. After checking all systems, we head out and a blue sky with 18-20 knots of wind should make for a perfect day of sailing. With the chill factor and apparent wind combined, it is mighty cold yet it is all smiles and high fives. There are no other boats on the water and yet we are having great fun. What a wonderful day.