Hydroptere © Gilles Martin-Raget
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The world speed record for a sailboat was claimed by Hydroptère in Hyères, on the the Mediterranean coast, 12 November. The boat, a hydrofoiled trimaran reached 50.17 knots over a nautical mile, 8 November. At one point it reached 55.5 knots (102.78km/h). The boat will be tested on Lake Geneva in 2010, as part of trials for the Hydroptère Maxi, the boat that will attempt to go round the world in 80 days.
Links to other sites: Hydoptere.com
Background: “Hydroptere lab boat moves to shipyards: 2010 for flying boat on Lake Geneva“, 18 April 2009, GenevaLunch
Hydroptere, the flying boat: trimarin with hydrofoils
Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, France (GenevaLunch) - Hydroptère, Alain Thébault’s flying boat, a trimarin on hydrofoils that is under development in partnership with EPFL polytechnic in Lausanne, Sunday pushed the sailing speed barrier yet further, marking 61 knots off Napoléon beach at Port-Louis. The boat ended by capsizing in the powerful squall.
