SP80: an odyssey of speed and composite innovation on water

 On 27 May 2025, the SP80 sailboat remarkably surpassed 100 km/h, registering a top speed of 58.261 kn (108 km/h). This makes SP80 the second-fastest sailboat ever recorded, just behind the current record holder, Vestas Sailrocket II. This achievement validates SP80’s design philosophy, as its maximum speed exceeds that of top-tier racing boats like America’s Cup AC75s or SailGP F50s. This demonstrates the potential superiority of their unique approach: a stable trimaran towed by a kite wing. What began as an ambitious student initiative is now a major player in high-performance nautical engineering, attracting attention and potential future investments for applications beyond the record itself.

The genesis of an extraordinary challenge

The SP80 project, officially established in 2019, originated from a pivotal meeting in 2017 at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). There, 3 passionate young engineers – Benoît Gaudiot, Xavier Lepercq and Mayeul van den Broek – met during HydroContest, a student competition focused on maritime energy efficiency. This origin highlights the project’s fundamental commitment to sustainable innovation, extending beyond the mere pursuit of speed.

Driven by a shared passion for speed sailing and kitesurfing, the cofounders quickly set out to break the world record. After a year of prototyping and testing alongside their studies, SP80 rapidly attracted its 1st technical and financial partners. The goal is to exceed the 65.45 kn (121.21 km/h) set in 2012 by Australia’s Paul Larsen aboard Vestas Sailrocket II, ultimately reaching 80 kn (150 km/h). Beyond the sporting and technological feat, SP80’s mission is to promote the exceptional potential of renewable energies and develop innovations with a positive impact for a more sustainable future.

The human adventure at the heart of the SP80 team

The SP80 team is the driving force behind this ambitious undertaking, embodying a true human adventure. The 3 cofounders play key roles, each contributing complementary expertise. Now comprising 11 employees, SP80 has developed a wide range of in-house skills, from integral boat and system design to the development and testing of custom kites and foils, alongside navigation logistics and communication. This internal capability stems from considerable experience accumulated over the years.