Olympic silver medallist Olivia Price named as first SuperFoil Grand Prix skipper

Olympic silver medallist Olivia Price has been announced as the first skipper for this summer's SuperFoiler Grand Prix, which will feature the world's fastest foiling sail racer.

Recent advances in sailing technology have substantially increased the pace of foiling vessels, which can now travel up to three times the speed of the wind.

The SuperFoiler is eight metres long, five metres wide, weighs just 350 kilograms and sits above the water on wing-shaped foils allowing the vessel to reach such blistering speeds.

Six international crews will race in six events throughout Australia during the SuperFoiler Grand Prix, inspired by the catamarans of the America's Cup, which will be televised on the Seven Network.

Co-founder of the series Jack Macartney said creating the SuperFoiler GrandPrix took a massive leap of faith.

"The SuperFoiler concept was not to conform to any existing geometry or platform but rather create something that gave the foils structure to function and flotation to launch off while being highly aerodynamic," Macartney said.

"The power and efficiency that you feel when you are sailing it really takes your breath away ... it's definitely not for the faint-hearted."