From 8 to 20+: Scaling Up with Structure
Over the past year, Velox has undergone a remarkable transformation. While core leadership remains steady — with Kunal Masania continuing as Team Manager and Tigo Ledeboer as Team Captain — the team has more than doubled in size, expanding from 8 to over 20 members, with new talent still joining.
To manage this growth, the team has transitioned toward a more formalized and scalable structure, introducing dedicated departments led by specialized officers. This framework enables Velox to tackle the increasing technical and organizational complexity of the 2026 season with greater precision and professionalism.
Key appointments this year include:
- Suzanna Lap – Co-Captain, supporting strategic leadership
- Ryan Jongen – Communications Officer, overseeing outreach and external relations
- Fynn Moolenaar – Logistics Lead, managing operational and transport requirements
- Ivo van Gestel – Sustainability Lead, ensuring alignment with the core environmental values of the SuMoth Challenge
With clearly defined roles and a growing internal structure, Velox is building the foundation needed for long-term performance and impact.
A New Identity, A Bigger Vision
Team Velox returns to the SuMoth Challenge with a renewed identity and expanded ambition. Formerly known as TUD x DutchSail, the team has rebranded as Velox — Latin for “fast” — marking a new phase in its development.
As the first-ever Dutch team to enter the SuMoth Challenge, Velox carries a strong sense of responsibility to represent the Netherlands in the global movement toward sustainable maritime innovation.
While the 2025 debut focused exclusively on the S1 Stage, the 2026 registration reflects a clear shift: the ambition to bridge theory and practice and to complete the full challenge. With fresh energy and significantly increased capacity, the team is ready to take the next step.
From Concept to Construction
The 2026 season marks a milestone: Velox’s first year of physical construction. The objective is clear — to compete across every stage of the challenge, progressing from design development all the way to the S3 Racing phase.
To support on-water performance, the team has secured a new set of foils tailored to their configuration and is making strong progress within the flight performance department. Finalizing the rig setup is one of the next major milestones in the coming months.
Innovation at Velox is deeply collaborative. Through their “Pizza Meetings,” the team hosts intensive sessions with academics, industry experts, and world-class sailors to validate technical decisions against real-world expertise. These discussions provide critical feedback that continuously strengthens the design.
Alongside technical development, Velox is actively building strategic partnerships — engaging with experts, material suppliers, financial sponsors, sailing associations, and class organizations. The team is also expanding its social media presence to increase visibility and outreach.
With a structured organization, expanded team capacity, and a clear technical roadmap, Velox is positioning itself to manage the complex logistics and production required to bring a competitive, sustainable boat to the start line at Lake Garda in 2026.
