Sailing boat aims to be the fastest in the world

French company SP80 develops a white sailboat with a slim frame, aiming to set the world's fastest speed record at 148 km/h.

SP80's sailboat design. Photo: SP80 — SP80's sailboat design. Photo: *SP80*

The new SP80 sailboat, which was unveiled at this year's Monaco Yacht Show, looks like it's powered by rocket fuel, but it's actually powered by wind with a giant kite towing it, Business Insider reported on October 5. Luxury watchmaker Richard Mille is SP80's partner in building the sailboat.

"We spoke to hundreds of people and they were all surprised because it was a sailboat without an engine. People in Monaco said it looked more like a submarine or a plane, some even thought it was a drone," said Laura Manon, a spokeswoman for SP80.

SP80 was founded in 2018 by Mayeul van den Broek, Xavier Lepercq and Benoit Gaudiot. The company hopes to use its analog technology to reach speeds of 91 mph (148 km/h), breaking the current world record of 75 mph (121 km/h) set by Paul Larsen and the Vestas Sailrocket 2 in 2012.

Despite being four years in the making, the SP80 sailboat is still in its early testing phase. The boat first hit the water in early August on Lake Geneva, withstanding a motorboat tow at 35 mph, still far short of the team’s 90 mph target.

The SP80 is 10.4 meters long, 7.6 meters wide, and weighs about 150 kilograms. There is a cockpit in the front for two people, one to control the kite and the other to steer the boat. The boat is made of carbon fiber reinforced with Kevlar for added protection in the event of a crash. The two pilots are equipped with safety belts, helmets, and emergency oxygen masks.

SP80's sailboat simulation pulled by a kite on the water. Photo: SP80 — SP80's sailboat simulation pulled by a kite on the water. Photo: *SP80*

Every detail of the boat is designed to ensure that it does not take off from the water, but simply glides. Beneath the boat is a unique tilting hydrofoil that keeps the boat in the water while the kite above pulls it at maximum speed.

“The boat has three points of contact with the water: the main hull and two side buoys. At the rear, the power module continuously adjusts the upward force of the kite (the force pulling the boat up), with the hydrofoil force pulling it down,” explains Mayeul van den Broek, CEO of SP80.

The company plans to take the boat to the south of France for further testing, with the hope of setting a world record in 2024. Manon said the team will attach a smaller kite to help the pilot get comfortable with the boat, then gradually increase the speed with larger kites. The goal is to first break the 75 mph record, then continue to speed up to 90 mph.

Thu Thao (According to Business Insider )

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