The Hydroptère Project Boats (Image courtesy of The Hydroptère Project)

The Hydroptère project is not limited to the performance of the 60-feet trimaran which has beaten two world speed records at an average speed of over 50 knots in 2009 in the Mediterranean. Alain Thébault and his team decided to extend the limits of the project and planned to develop two new boats, with the ultimate objective of sailing around the world in approximately 40 days on l’Hydroptère maxi. 

To reach this objective, the team with the help of the ”papés” (retired engineers) and of their scientific adviser, The Swiss Technological Institute in Lausanne, decided to follow the same experimental process as that employed by Alain Thébault in the development of l’Hydroptère and to consider an intermediate step, that being to build on a reduced scale a test model i.e. l’Hydroptère.ch.

At the same time in Lorient, l’Hydroptère is in a shipyard and she should be back in the water in spring.

l’Hydroptère.ch will serve as a lab boat whose main purpose is to test geometries and behaviours in varied real conditions for the development of  l’Hydroptère maxi.

As a Swiss-French project l’Hydroptère.ch is being built in two shipyards, one in Brittany and one in Switzerland. She should be launched beginning of summer 2010.

Share on Facebook

l'Hydroptère

Alain Thébault, Thierry Lombard and their team have taken the revolutionary 60ft Hydrofoil trimaran Hydroptere to yet another new world speed record averaging 50.17 knots (92.91 km/h) over a distance of 1NM (subject to ratification by the World Speed Sailing Record Council).

The 11-man crew set the new record on Sunday, November 8th, in a 28-knot northwesterly wind off Hyeres, Provence.

Thebault commented that he and his team would now concentrate on ocean sailing, having broken both the 500m (averaging 51.36knots) and 1NM speed records. The peak speed on 8 November was a near-Force 11 gale speed of 55 knots (102.78km/h).

“Thanks to this historic double record, l’Hydroptère is confirmed as the fastest sailcraft on the planet. This exceptional performance is a tribute to the work of a determined and experienced team, which developed and implemented revolutionary and innovative solutions.”
said Philippe Merk, CEO of Audemars Piguet, the project’s new sponsors.

Audemars Piguet and Lombard Odier are also sponsoring l’Hydroptère, which will take to the waters of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, in summer 2010. It will serve as a laboratory and a think tank for the ambitious Hydroptère Maxi project, the ultimate goal of which is to sail round the world in 40 days, thus pursuing the dream of Jules Verne.

“This great human and technological adventure is backed today by two
prestigious firms that solidify our roots. The arrival of Audemars Piguet alongside private bankers Lombard Odier moves me deeply. This strong support is a great motivational force for me and the team. In an ongoing humble family spirit, our ambition is now to unfurl our wings on the open seas, collectively and around the world,” concludes Alain Thébault.

Share on Facebook

Photo By Gilles Martin-Raget / Hydroptere

The Hydroptère has reached a speed of 61 knots spectacular peak this morning during his first run. Wind conditions were very tough, 35-38 knots of wind gusts and established more than 45. The water was not as flat as day prédédent, making navigation difficult and dangerous. The burst, which led to this extraordinary speed, unfortunately entaîné the capsizing of the Hydroptère.

“The gale was very violent, the Hydroptère was full accéléraltion to more than 61 knots when it crashed and then capsized,” says Alain Thébault briefly while organizing towing the boat with his teammates. All are doing with minor injuries. The trimaran will be towed to Fos on Wednesday, as soon as conditions permit

Share on Facebook