The fastest boat in the world, l’Hydroptere, wowed the crowds in Cowes last week ahead of its summer campaign.

Despite light winds, the French trimaran reached a top speed of 34.77 knots, as it tacked along the Isle of Wight coast.

Alain Thebault and his crew spent four days in Cowes, before sailing to Kiel, Germany to take part in Kiel Week from June 18-27.

Last summer l’Hydroptere broke the world speed sailing records over both 500m and a nautical mile, breaking the 50-knot barrier on both occasions, but after a winter refit it is now be capable of offshore sailing and breaking ocean records.