How can sailboats move forward into the direction of the wind by using their sail?

Question

I don’t get how this is physically possible if the direction you want to go is literally the opposite direction of the way the wind is blowing. How can it ‘push’ them the opposite way it is going?

In: 20

Answer 1

It’s never moving directly into the wind, it’s always at an angle. It uses its sail literally on the same principle as an airplane wing, being propelled by the same pressure difference force that creates lift.