SP80 starts building the boat to break the record with Persico Marine
by SP80 11 Aug 2021 12:32 BST
SP80 boat prototype © SP80
SP80 is tackling the construction of the vessel to break the record after validating its technology with a prototype on Lake Geneva.
- The boat will be on the water by spring 2022
- The first sail will take place in summer 2022, with the goal of reaching 80 knots (150 km/h) before the end of the year
The Swiss company has entrusted the Italian shipyard Persico Marine, who will apply a different approach to what is usually done in the maritime industry: building a boat with TPT® carbon kits. Lighter yet stronger, this type of carbon stretches the boat's limits even further. As this approach is very unique, SP80 has capitalised on the experience acquired by its partners North Thin Ply Technology and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in high-tech projects such as Solar Impulse, the C Class catamarans, in the world of Formula 1 and in the spatial industry.
Persico Marine is a key player in the world of sailing and has renowned know-how and technical experience: from Vendée Globe to America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race, many sailors around the globe trust the Italian company, which puts performance at the heart of its work.
"The challenge for the world sailing speed record is extremely fascinating for us, because it allows us to push the limits in terms of new technologies and to do so with projects other than those we usually carry out" - says Mark Somerville, Persico Marine General Manager. "We are happy to be part of the research and development of a project that is as effective as it is ambitious, and we can't wait to see the boat in action to break the speed record."
SP80 is developing a sailing boat with a design unlike any other, measuring 7 m long and 6 m wide and propelled by a kite spanning 20 m. Midway between a boat, a plane and a Formula 1 car, the boat's target speed is 80 knots (150 km/h) with the goal to pulverize the current world sailing speed record.
"We have the same performance and quality requirements as Persico Marine. We are constantly in contact with the Italian team and nothing is left to chance" - says Mayeul van den Broek, co-founder of SP80. "We are confident that the boat will meet our expectations and that its structure will be able to withstand the loads we have designed it for. After three intense years of working on optimizing our concept, the whole team is very proud to see the final boat taking shape at Persico Marine. The launch will come soon and we are already looking forward to the first sail."