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l'Hydroptere: All I want for Christmas is an upright boat!

10:13 PM Tue 23 Dec 2008 GMT

'l'Hydroptere after capsizing on 20 December 2008' Gilles Martin-Raget / Hydroptere

How she looks normally - ? Gilles Martin-Raget Click Here to view large photo

'All I want for Christmas is an upright boat.'

The Hydropt?re, now known as the 'fastest boat on the planet, is an experimental sailing hydrofoil designed by the French sailor Alain Th?bault. Its multihull hydrofoil design allows the sail-powered vessel to reach high speeds on water. She is currently being sailed in an attempt to set a new world record speed for sailing, off Napol?on beach at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rh?ne, not far from Marseille on the southern coast of France.

On the 5th December, she sailed at a speed of 52.86 knots, but not for the mandatory 500 metres to claim a record. Just prior to her capsize, she had sailed at the amazing speed of 61 knots.
The sailing craft is 24 metres by 24 metres, with a mast 23 metres high, and a draft of only 3.5 metres, which decreases to 2 metres when she's flying.

Photos are by Gilles Martin-Raget

l'Hydroptere under tow after capsizing on 20 December 2008 - Gilles Martin-Raget / Hydroptere

by Sail-World Cruising

Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:

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