Why racing boats accelerate quickly
When considering what produces the rapid acceleration of racing boats, it is useful to examine the design principles behind modern yachts. A common (1) ________ many of us make is that boats which accelerate very rapidly achieve this speed by using large engines. But the abilities of yachts (2) ________ to the fact that this is not always the (3) ________. They lack huge engines, yet are capable of accelerating over short distances. Engineers Maya Roberts and Henry Allen have shown that, in fact, the secret of yachts' abilities (4) ________ in elastic mechanisms in their sails. They used digital onboard wind sensors and tracking technology to keep (5) ________ of changes in a yacht's flexible rigging before, during and after acceleration. The measurements supply (6) ________ of how the flexible masts act like springs, releasing stored-up energy to propel the yacht forward. This is what accounts for the truly exceptional racing abilities of yachts. According to Roberts, while yachts are interesting in their own (7) ________, their design also provides (8) ________ into how flexible materials in rigging may work in marine transport generally.