more a function of power to weight at this size/speed, they are most certainly going faster than "hullspeed" at which point waterline length is the predominant factor.
the length of these beasts is really just to keep it under control in pitch. too much length will just add skin friction drag. if they were racing in perfect conditions with no waves or gusts, the hull lengths could be reduced substantially and the speeds would probably increase.
it'll be interesting to see if a beach cat can make the "Y" form of alinghi's support system work. smaller beams and less twist...
Critical boat speed is ~1.5 squareroot (lwl in ft) in kts
Surprise, surprise: it is 15kts for 90ft lwl, the speed which the boats had on the upwind leg, so wave drag is about 20% and hence length is of importance. If it is true that BMWO was 130ft long and Alinghi only 100ft, than the wonder wing looks not that good anymore...
Cheers,
Klaus
