Two world records for L’Hydroptère
by Marlene Colegrave on 5 Apr 2007
L’Hydroptere 4 April 2007 Arnaud Pilpre / Sea & Co
L’Hydroptère, helmed by Alain Thébault, adds two world records to his achievements (subject to official ratification by ISAF / WSSRC):
* The average speed over 500 meters in category D - 44,5 knots
* The absolute speed over one nautical mile - 41,5 knots
L’Hydroptère also broke her own speed record and set it at 47,6 knots.
On Wednesday 4 April 2007, South of Lorient, l’Hydroptère, helmed by Alain Thébault, was able to beat both speed records with 25 knots North-East wind and quiet sea conditions, in the presence of Michael Ellison, official timekeeper at the WSSRC.
The Crew of the Catamaran 'Techniques Avancées' were the original holders of the amazing speed record in category D since 1997, together with Bjorn Dunkerbeck, who beat the absolute speed record on one nautical mile in 2006.
Here are some of the several factors explaining l’Hydroptère’s achievement:
Long years of tests and optimizations have resulted in a real technological jewel. Today, l’Hydroptère is a reliable and extremely high performing boat.
The passion and courage of the team and its engineers have always piloted the project, making l'Hydroptère an extraordinary adventure.
As a result of this teamwork, Alain Thébault and his Swiss-French crew, Jean-Matthieu, Jacques, François, Adrien, Pollux, Sébastien and Damien have proved that the dream can come true.
In 2005 their Channel Crossing was faster than Blériot in his plane in 1909. Shortly afterwards they add the two world records to their victories and show the carbon bird can always fly faster, higher and further.
Strengthened by this victory, the team will now concentrate on the next steps of their 2007 programme, i.e. prepare for future ocean navigation records, like the 24 hour record. At the same time continuing with the technological development of the Swiss-French lab boat l’Hydroptere.ch and the studies carried out for l’Hydroptère maxi.
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