Earlier we wrote about the French startup Syroco. Syroco is working on the fastest sailing boat of all time. A wind-powered boat must break the speed barrier of 150 kilometers per hour by 2022. Syroco has a rival. This is the Swiss SP80. We will discuss this in this blog. One thing is to be expected for sure. The challenge culminates in Formula 1 on the water with the ultramodern kiteboot Syrocco and SP80. We also expect other wind sports and the entire maritime sector to adopt innovations.
Current speed record sailing 121 km / h
As of 2012, the world speed record for sailing has remained unbroken. Because in November 2012 the Australian Paul Larsen reached a speed of 65,45 kilometers per hour at 121 knots. He accomplished this with his Vestas Sail Rocket 2 when he blasted over the South Atlantic waters off the coast of Namibia.
Syroco and SP80 are currently two rival teams that want to go over that with a kite boat. We may call it a bit vulgar a kite boat. This is because the capsules, as they call the boat, are pulled by means of a kite. In reality, it is cutting-edge technology.
State-of-the-art kiteboot Syroco and SP80
'Shoot For The Moon' project
The target of 150 km / h is positioned as a so-called 'shoot for the moon' project. An impossible goal is set and people work on it until it becomes possible. This is what helps companies like Apple and Tesla push the boundaries of technology. This is in fact also the approach of the project in which a hypermodern kite boat like Formula 1 skims over and has to reach a speed of 150 km / h.
Capital injections and spin-off for wind sports
Both Syroco and SP80 receive capital injections because this race is seen as a channel for the maritime sector to realize new technologies and energy-efficient solutions. SP80, for example, works on a different type of foil than we are used to. According to SP80, this is necessary to break through the 100 km / h limit.
Undoubtedly, the kitesurfing market will benefit. Consider, for example, better hydrofoil wings, masts and foil boards.
SP80 kite boat project
SP80 founders and team
SP80 is a project that was started in 2018 by Xavier Lepercq, Benoit Gaudiot and Mayeul van den Broek. All three passionate about kite surfing, sailing, sailboats and ocean crossings. They graduated from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. This is a prestigious Swiss engineering school, which also supports the development of the SP80. Today, 40 engineers and students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) are working on the SP80 projects.
Capsule skims over the water
The capsule of the SP80 resembles Syroco's concept. There is one big difference, however. The capsule is not lifted above the water by the foils. No, it skims over the surface of the water with the help of two side foils protruding from each side.
Rivalry as a stimulus for both team
The SP80 co-founder Benoit Gaudiot is known to be the brother of Syroco engineer Thomas Gaudiot. The rivalry and excitement to make it to the record within the time frame is certainly there. Still, the rivalry is turned into a lot of productive energy and as a stimulus for both teams.
Kite boat as a new Formula 1 on the water?
Another, hitherto speculative, line of thought is whether this project could develop into a new sport. A kind of Formula 1 on the water in which high-tech super-fast sailing boats regularly compete against each other. We follow the kiteboot Syroco and SP80 closely and keep you informed.
Did you know… Speed record kite surfing 107,36 km / h
The Syroco project is led by Alex Caizergues. Who still remembers him? Alex Caizergues is the 4-time kite speed champion. View his kitesurfing speed record.
