Revolutionary new yacht
A revolutionary Franco-Swiss “flying yacht” project that aims to smash the
round-the-world sailing record has entered a new phase. Experts at
Lausanne’s Federal Institute of Technology presented a
small prototype catamaran which they are helping to develop. It is based on
the Hydroptère hydrofoil vessel – the world’s fastest sailing boat.
The new test boat, known as Hydroptère.ch, will serve as a model for a
future giant catamaran, Hydroptère Maxi, which will aim to beat the current 57-day
round-the-world record. “We would like to go around the world in 40 days
within the next two or three years,” Alain Thébault, the 46-year-old Breton
who is the brains and the driving force behind the Hydroptère.