This is the subject of a vast debate among nerds and geeks and physicists....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CcgmpBGSCI&feature=related
The challenge was to build a machine which could go faster than the wind - directly downwind. This was thought to be impossible. But it has been confirmed by many people who saw it and benchmarked it. This goes 3X as fast as the wind.
For those who don't sail, the basics are this. You can go on a angle to the wind and beat it, but never directly downwind. Think of it this way - release a balloon on a windy day and it can only move as fast as the wind! It can't beat it. Well, now it can!
Amazingly enough, in these days of science and engineering, some (or all) have not quite figured out how or why this can be done. But if it is truly as it seems, this is a breakthrough! One example said that giant sails of this type put on a cargo ship could save 7% in fuel over an ocean crossing!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_faster_than_the_wind#Sailing_dead_downwind_faster_than_the_wind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CcgmpBGSCI&feature=related
The challenge was to build a machine which could go faster than the wind - directly downwind. This was thought to be impossible. But it has been confirmed by many people who saw it and benchmarked it. This goes 3X as fast as the wind.
For those who don't sail, the basics are this. You can go on a angle to the wind and beat it, but never directly downwind. Think of it this way - release a balloon on a windy day and it can only move as fast as the wind! It can't beat it. Well, now it can!
Amazingly enough, in these days of science and engineering, some (or all) have not quite figured out how or why this can be done. But if it is truly as it seems, this is a breakthrough! One example said that giant sails of this type put on a cargo ship could save 7% in fuel over an ocean crossing!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_faster_than_the_wind#Sailing_dead_downwind_faster_than_the_wind