Sailing towards the Speed record

Powered by a kite wing, SP80 boat is set to reach 80 knots (150 km/h) for 500 meters next year in the South of France. The prevailing speed sailing 65 knots record was set by Paul Larsen with a more traditional sail in 2012. Inspiring a new generation of engineers, the Swiss project born three years ago has been drawing a lot of enthusiasm and gathering momentum.

Among the first supporters was P&TS. Thanks to the Swiss patent, trademark and design consultancy, the project was able to get its first mechanical system patented, kickstarting the adventure. The SP80 Project has come a long way since then, testing key concepts and finalizing last year the first hydrofoil prototype with the support of the SKIL (Student Kreativity and Innovation Laboratory) and LPAC (Laboratory for Processing of Advanced Composites) at the EPFL. It has also won the support of Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille as a partner and evolved in a engineering company incorporated in Morges.

Today SP80 mobilizes close to 40 people: 6 employed full time as well as 30 EPFL students and 5 volunteer engineers working on the project. The team will be counting with the record breaking experience of Benoit Gaudiot. Having reached 51 knots kite surfing before the age of 18, the young co-founder will be at the helm of the novel boat. The team is currently moving in new offices at the Atelier de la Ville de Renens, with the support of Inartis.

A novel approach to tackle the record

Interestingly, SP80 faces similar challenges as startups. As Mayeul van den Broek, co-founder and Project Manager explains to Startupticker.ch, the project had to evolve into an engineering company building boats and selling visibility to fund and prepare for the record in 2022. This has led the team to develop tools in record time, onboard new skills and colleagues from different horizons. Along the engineering team, SP80 has hired recently media and communications professionals to make the most of the rising excitement.

Speaking of the future, Mayeul and the team are today fully focused on their goal, breaking the 80 knots record at a special event in Leucate next year. Looking back at what has been achieved so far, the co-founder reckons that it would be a shame not to develop something and leverage the learnings, once the objective is achieved. The team has already a few ideas for later. So stay tuned.