Flying Trimaran - Setting Speed Records

The flying trimaran l’Hydroptère came back to La Trinité sur Mer marina in France today after spending six months in the shipyard. The l’Hydroptère team took the opportunity of good weather period to put the flying trimaran back in the water and remast her.

Last season the carbon trimaran broke two world speed records. l’Hydroptère broke a first record over 500 meters at an average speed of 44.81 knots. The second world sailing record was one over one nautical mile, this run made her the fastest craft in the one mile.

After this triumph, the team decided to temporarily set aside open sea trials in order to concentrate on breaking the mythical speed barrier of 50 knots. Thus, 2008 will be devoted to pure speed. l’Hydroptère is now specialized.

In order to accomplish this, studies and trials have been carried out by their team of engineers, in collaboration with the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. The rigging, the platform and the external parts have been finely modified to bring the boat’s speed potential over 50 knots.

The next few days will be devoted to a series of tests on the new rigging and sails, and on the new textile streamlining, which has recently been installed. L’Hydroptère will then be convoyed to Lorient, where she will be transported by cargo ship to the Mediterranean.

After a final phase of assembly in Marseille, l’Hydroptère will be able to tackle her goal for 2008 – to become the fastest sailing craft on the planet.

• Photo: L'hydroptère by C. Levy
• Video 1: L'hydroptère breaking previous world record by reaching nearly 50 knots.
• Video 2: The flying trimaran sailboat L'hydroptère.