After two years of construction, SP80, the challenger for the world sailing speed record, recently underwent its first water test in Lake Geneva. The ultimate goal for this three-hulled sailboat is to reach 80 knots (150 kilometers/hour) under wind power.

Following a week of testing, the team transported the boat to their base in Leucate, France, to prepare for its first sail using kite sails. Once the optimization activities are completed, the sailboat will be brought back to the workshop to be fully prepared for the record attempt in 2024.

Mayeul van den Broek, CEO and helmsman of SP80, said, "It was crucial for us to have the boat's first launch in Lake Geneva, as we have strong roots in this region. These preliminary tests have confirmed that the boat is capable of incredible speeds. Although she has yet to sail with kite sails, her behavior on the water aligns with our team's expectations and provides a promising foundation for our future endeavors. We still have a lot of work to do before reaching 80 knots (150 kilometers/hour). The next few months will be decisive in our optimization efforts if we want to challenge Paul Larsen's record next year."

In early April, the town of Leucate, France, and Narbonne announced their partnership with SP80, becoming the official record base for the Swiss team. The main hull of SP80 was constructed by the renowned Italian shipyard Persico Marine, using a construction method unique to the yacht industry - TPT® carbon fiber. This type of carbon fiber is lighter, stronger, and capable of pushing the boat to its limits. The hull was transported to the SP80 factory in Renens, Switzerland, in April of last year. While the shipyard continued building other components, the SP80 team took charge of the main hull and integrated all the mechanical systems.

Benot Gaudiot added, "Focusing on one task is crucial at speeds of 150 kilometers/hour! Therefore, we will have one driver maneuvering the kite while a co-driver ensures the boat's trajectory. However, at lower speeds, around 30 knots, the boat can be manned by a single driver, allowing us to offer extraordinary experiences to passengers."

Ensuring the maximum safety of the driver is of utmost importance at 80 knots. The design of the cockpit is capable of withstanding accelerations of up to 50G! It's also reinforced with Kevlar fiber to protect passengers from potential carbon fragments in the event of a collision. Given that a boat traveling at 150 kilometers/hour on water is equivalent to a Formula One car on land, the drivers will be equipped accordingly - bucket seats, 6-point safety harnesses, and helmets. They will also have oxygen masks, an unprecedented feature in the sailing world, in case of emergencies.

Guided by strong values, the company has established partnerships with several renowned organizations. Richard Mille, the famous Swiss watch manufacturer, has become a major partner. In 2022, Gin Kiteboarding joined as an official supporter and supplier of kite sails for the SP80 project.

In January of this year, Aderco, which has been dedicated to developing sustainable fuel solutions for 40 years, announced its official support for the world sailing speed record. Olivier Baiwir, CEO of Aderco, expressed their delight in sharing this adventure with SP80, as the two share the same values in terms of technology, innovation, and the environment.

On August 8th, BMW Switzerland joined the pursuit of the world sailing speed record as a financial sponsor and official car supplier, providing the team with two BMW plug-in hybrid cars.

With the first water test of the boat, this exploration is heading in a new direction. SP80 aims to showcase the immense potential of renewable energy by breaking records relying exclusively on wind power, demonstrating humanity's ability to achieve technological feats beyond fossil fuels. The goal is to apply these innovation achievements in shipping, competitive sailing, and hydropower sectors.

We look forward to the record-breaking performance in the spring of 2024.