A Multidisciplinary Beginning
The UNIMI Sailing Team was launched in September 2025, following a series of meetings and discussions with members of established organisations such as Revel Sailing Team and Audace Sailing Team. Through these exchanges and the advice received, the idea gradually took shape: to bring the University of Milan into the SuMoth Challenge for the very first time.
To involve as many students as possible, the initiative was promoted across the university’s campuses through posters and digital channels. The response was significant, allowing the team to grow rapidly to more than 30 active members.
From the outset, the team has stood out for its strong multidisciplinarity. Most members come from scientific backgrounds — Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science — but the project also includes students from Philosophy, Communication and International Sciences. This diversity of perspectives represents one of the team’s core strengths.
Once consolidated, the group was structured into specialised departments to ensure an effective division of responsibilities:
- Design Department – responsible for the complete boat design, including mechanics and fluid dynamics simulations, with a focus on performance and reliability.
- Performance Department – composed of experienced sailors working closely with designers to integrate theoretical analysis with on-water testing and sailing.
- Materials Department – dedicated to researching high-performance composite materials with reduced environmental impact, both in production and disposal.
- Communication and Management Department – overseeing communication channels, content creation, and strategic partnerships with sponsors and collaborators.
Stepping Beyond Our Comfort Zone
The UNIMI Sailing Team approaches the 2026 SuMoth Challenge as a newly formed group driven by the desire to embrace a demanding technological challenge.
As the University of Milan does not offer engineering degree programmes, participation represents both a challenge and an opportunity. It pushes the team beyond its academic comfort zone, encouraging members to broaden their technical horizons and apply scientific knowledge in a practical, high-performance context.
The team’s ambition is to demonstrate that a strong foundation in pure scientific research, combined with a multidisciplinary mindset, can generate innovative and competitive solutions. Rather than following conventional design pathways, UNIMI seeks to contribute fresh perspectives rooted in analytical thinking and interdisciplinary experimentation.
A particular focus will be placed on materials research. Leveraging expertise from the Chemistry and Physics departments, the team aims to explore innovative and sustainable material solutions capable of offering alternative approaches to current standards.
For UNIMI, participating in the 2026 SuMoth Challenge means merging a passion for science with a passion for sailing — striving to find the most effective balance between theory and performance.
Laying the Foundations
For its first participation, the UNIMI Sailing Team has set realistic and strategic objectives, choosing to compete exclusively in the S1 phase. This decision reflects careful management of time and budget resources, as well as a deliberate commitment to gradual learning.
The team’s approach begins with a thorough study of the fundamentals of the Moth class and existing boat designs. At the same time, members remain open to introducing innovative elements, carefully evaluating their feasibility and performance impact.
UNIMI firmly believes that success is built on the combination of sound design and precise construction. Therefore, the 2026 season will be dedicated primarily to learning, experimentation, and skill development in both areas — establishing a solid foundation for the team’s long-term growth within the SuMoth Challenge.
