Images of l'Hydroptère
by Guilain Grenier and l'Hydroptère on 27 May 2008
Images and news of L'Hydroptère as she begins preparations to break the 50kt record mark.
News:
Near gale warning over Marseille
Monday 26th May
A special weather report was announced by Météo France until tomorrow morning at 9.00 am. l'Hydroptère must therefore remain in the Vieux Port of Marseille, awaiting more favourable weather conditions.
On Saturday, the flying trimaran sailed for the first time, but the east wind established at 35 knots did not permit Alain Thébault and his crew to test the potential of the boat's new configuration. The first trials must take place in a moderate wind so the craft can gain speed progressively, after confirmation from the scientific team.
The team is currently working on the boat while it is docked and waiting for more favourable weather conditions.
l'Hydroptère is ready to sail
Thursday, 22nd May
l'Hydroptère was masted late yesterday. After placing the trimaran back in the water, the crane put in place the 23-meter mast with its 1.10-meter section.
l'Hydroptère will soon be ready to sail. The team is currently affixing the sails and preparing to take the boat to Marseille. The flying trimaran will leave the dock of La Seyne-sur-Mer in the late afternoon in order to arrive at her base before nightfall.
l'Hydroptère in Marseille
Saturday 24th May
l'Hydroptère crew took only one day after putting her back in the water to install the rigging and prepare the boat for departure.
Impatient to test the boat's new configuration, Alain Thébault and his crew transported her yesterday evening.
After her arrival late last night, l'Hydroptère is now in the Vieux Port of Marseille at the foot of Fort Saint Jean.
Alain Thébault and his crew will begin the sailing trial sessions to adjust the boat as soon as weather conditions permit.
l'Hydroptère put back into the water
Wednesday, 21nd May
The flying trimaran was launched this afternoon in front of the CNIM at La Seyne-sur-Mer, near Toulon.
Suspended under the crane all morning in order to finish the calibration, l'Hydroptère was then put in the water, with her foils and rear tail unit deployed.
The rigging will be installed tomorrow. The boat will then be taken to Marseille, l'Hydroptère's base during the record campaign.
Measurement system
Tuesday 20th May
The team of experts in electronics is finishing up the installation of the measurement system. The strain gauges on the foils and the floaters have been connected to the new data acquisition system. They will be ready for the final phase of the structure's calibration, which will take place tomorrow and Thursday.
Video cameras to visualize the foils and the sails during sailing sessions were also installed.
The entire system is now being finalized, which means that the recording and synchronization are tested in all the different aspects of measurements before launching on Thursday.
To see more information www.hydroptere.com!click_here
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