FT743-SM Wind Sensor: Dominating the World's Toughest Sailing Race [Press Release]

January 29, 2025

Les Sables-d'Olonne, France, 29 January 2025 – With eleven skippers having now crossed the finish line, eight of whom using FT wind sensors, the FT743-SM wind sensor has cemented its status as a game-changer in competitive sailing. Trusted by nearly half the fleet in the gruelling Vendée Globe—a solo, non-stop, around-the-world race often referred to as the “Everest of the Seas”—the FT743-SM has once again proven its ability to thrive in the harshest environments.

Recently featured by PlanetSail, the prominent sailing-focused YouTube channel hosted by Matthew Sheahan, the FT743-SM earned accolades for its unmatched precision and resilience especially in the face of a storm. This advanced wind sensor not only delivered critical performance advantages to sailors but also showcased its transformative role in modern offshore racing technology.

The Vendée Globe represents the ultimate challenge for both sailors and the tools they rely on, testing endurance, skill, and reliability to their limits. The FT743-SM emerged as the trusted choice for elite competitors, enabling them to make fast, confident decisions under extreme conditions. As highlighted in PlanetSail’s in-depth coverage, its cutting-edge design ensures exceptional accuracy and responsiveness, providing a decisive edge in one of the world’s most demanding sporting events.

FT Acu-Res Wind Sensors

“Having the FT743-SM onboard nearly half the Vendée Globe fleet is a phenomenal milestone,” said Chris Trodden, Head of Business Development at FT Technologies. “This product was designed for customers who demand excellence. Its widespread use this year reflects the fantastic results that were seen by our initial IMOCA customers and immense trust top-tier sailors place in it. A testament to its value at the pinnacle of competitive sailing.”

While every skipper’s application of the sensor is unique, its adoption across such a significant portion of the leading boats underscores its reliability and effectiveness in the face of extraordinary challenges.

Building on the success of the FT743-SM, FT Technologies Ltd is proud to introduce the FT602—a lightweight, compact wind sensor for sailors seeking precision and innovation. Employing the same unique and exclusive Acu-Res® core technology and designed to uphold FT's rigorous standards, the FT602 offers unparalleled performance and durability at a reduced weight of only 170g. With all units being individually stress tested and calibrated in our state of the art wind tunnel before dispatch, you can be assured of the most reliable and consistent product on the market.

Looking Ahead

Whether for professional racers or passionate amateurs, the FT743-SM and FT602 continue to set the gold standard for wind sensor technology. With proven success in the toughest race on the planet, these sensors empower sailors to achieve peak performance.

Press Release Vendee Globe

FT602-D-SM Wind Sensor

FT Technologies products are powered by our exclusive Acu-Res® technology. This enables an accurate wind sensor in a small form-factor which is inherently immune to physical vibration and acoustic noise. In addition to wind speed/direction, our sensors also provide barometric pressure and acoustic air temperature.