Mini 6.50 Arkema 3 – Innovation at the service of performance

by Arkema on 21 Feb 2017 Born in 2016 of a unique collaboration between the Arkema chemical group and the Lalou Multi ocean racing sports team, the incredible Mini 6.50 Arkema 3 prototype is now entering a new phase: the world of sports competition.

The technical innovations of the monohull have been validated. Its young skipper, Quentin Vlamynck, is familiarizing himself with the boat. It remains to put this “racing beast” to the test against the competition, the objective being the Mini Transat 2017 for Team Arkema Lalou Multi.

A look back at this unusual prototype

Arkema 3 is a concentrate of innovations like no other sailboat in its category before. First of all with its construction process involving the use of Elium®, the first liquid thermoplastic resin allowing the manufacture of recyclable composite parts. Born out of Arkema’s R&D, this material features mechanical properties similar, if not superior, to epoxy resins. It was developed and processed in partnership with Team Lalou for the construction of the Mini 6.50.

This monohull is also notable by its many technical and architectural innovations: rounded stem, tilting foils, canting keel, wing mast, adjustable forestay and retractable bowsprit… A “racing beast” which Quentin Vlamynck will need to learn to tame! (Click-here to view the 'Mini 6.50 Creation' video )

Getting the boat ready for the 2017 season

Following a well-deserved break this winter, Quentin made his way back to Verdon-sur-Mer in mid-January to relaunch the work optimizing his monohull: “This is not major work as there’s no problem involving the structure or the resin, and all the appendages have been validated. The work we are carrying out is to improve the boat and make it even more reliable. For example, we’re changing the rail posts and modifying the foil tilting system”, explains the skipper. “The new parts are coming in and the boat is beginning to be refitted. The objective is to refloat it early March so that I can start training again without delay.”

Getting the skipper ready

A member of the Pôle France de La Rochelle, the young skipper benefits from comprehensive training alongside twenty or so other skippers, with a view to pre-season events but in particular the Mini Transat 2017. Sailing, theoretical courses and various other training will punctuate Quentin’s time schedule before the first racing competition. “I now realize that the boat is a very physical thing. I’m training hard to build up my muscles. I’m in a ‘cardio’ phase, running, cycling and doing fitness exercises. I’ll also need protective equipment to be able to absorb impacts… And yet I still haven’t sailed in a race as such!” continues Quentin.

Getting ready for the competition!

In April Quentin and Arkema 3 will start the 2017 season in the Lorient BSM, a double-handed race he will compete in with Lalou Roucayrol. With fifteen or so prototypes expected on the start line of this 150 nautical mile course between the Glénan and the island of Groix, this first racing competition should provide a wealth of lessons. “My objective is not to win at all cost, especially as mine is a typical Transat boat, which is not multipurpose, in particular in light winds. It will all depend on the weather conditions we’ll have.” For the next competitions, Quentin will go it alone and will validate his qualification for the Mini Transat by completing the Pornichet Select 6.50, the Mini in May and the Trophée MAP. “The ultimate objective is this solo transatlantic race and I want to do well. If I manage to complete, the boat will leave its mark on the history of the Mini! It will all depend on the competition, but I will be aiming for a podium finish.”

The eye of the coach:

The project’s initiator and Quentin’s mentor, Lalou Roucayrol is busy working on his Multi50 Arkema, while also keeping a close eye on the Arkema 3 project:

“Quentin is handling the project very well. As a skipper, he’s fully engaged and knows his boat inside out. In the winter we tended to work on communicating, identifying and expressing his needs. Sometimes Quentin still finds it difficult to convey what he is feeling on board as this monohull is crammed with innovations. But he has to succeed in doing so to continue getting better at preparing and taking control. He has already gathered a huge amount of sailing data and is now able to express them as technical needs. The prototype requires another kind of approach to fine-tuning the boat. It’s not straightforward and so I’m helping him with this.”