l’Hydroptère

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, France - While 50 knots remains elusive to anything but two kite-sailors, the massive hydrofoil trimaran l’Hydroptère has just established two new sailing records while they attempt to break the 50kt barrier over 500 meters:

Lüderitz, Namibia - Speed sailing has come to be more than just extreme speed, it's also about extremes in size.  Until this past week, the record for a wind-powered watercraft was held (and is still officially held) by a sailboard - a giant in comparison to the new unofficial record holder:  a kiteboard, which was able to average an amazing 50.57kts, exposing the 50kt "wind barrier" as the arbitrary number it was.  However, this week also saw the giant hydrofoil trimaran l'Hydroptere set its own speed record, and

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.