Capsized! Images from l'Hydroptere
by Gilles Martin-Raget on 22 Dec 2008
l’Hydroptere soon after capsizing on 20 December 2008 Gilles Martin-Raget / Hydroptere
Images from the capsize of the French foiler l'Hydroptere off Napoléon beach at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône.
Wind conditions were pretty though with an established wind at 35-38 knots and gusts at over 45 knots off Napoléon beach at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, which is the speed base of l’Hydroptère, certified by the WSSRC.
That’s in these conditions that the trimaran started the first full speed run of the day. Taking advantage of the established wind, the speed progressively increased: 50, 55 and then 61 knots at top speed!
The squall that provoked this acceleration was really powerful and resulted in l’Hydroptère’s capsizing.
For the moment, Alain Thébault and his crew are preparing the towage of the trimaran, which will be moored in Fos sur Mer before being put in dry dock.
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