. >>> when you think superhigh speed competitions with teams of brawny athletes, you probably don't think sailboats. but the genteel sport is getting a makeover. and abc's own thrill-seeker, nick watt, went along for the ride. >> reporter: sailing, but not as we knew it. a gigantic catamaran, in san francisco bay sailing too close to the wind. the most advanced yacht on earth, capsizing this fall. on these boats, that's not even a sail. it's a carbon fiber wing. and the sailors, well, they're gymed-out beefcakes, suited up like football players. >> it's not always putting on blazers and sitting on the side with a gin and tonic. >> reporter: that's what i thought. rich, portly men, with one hand on the tiller and a faceoff, for a hunk of silver, called the americas cup. then, i went out as a guest racer with jimmy spizle, a no-nonsense aussie. he won it for the u.s. in 2010. these catamarans can fly nearly 50 miles per hour. it is terrifying. sailing has finally entered the 21st century, fueled by larry ellison's billions and a band of young, brash athletes. sailing is now getting the fans