Leucate and Grand Narbonne are partnering up with SP80 for the World Sailing Speed Record

by SP80 7 Apr 2023 18:23 BST

Leucate, France - a location suitable for breaking the World Sailing Speed Record © SP80

SP80, the challenge chasing the World Sailing Speed Record, the town of Leucate and the Agglomeration of Grand Narbonne are officially announcing a partnership to make Leucate the official record base for the Swiss team. After two years of construction, the kiteboat designed to reach 80 knots (150km/h) only powered by the wind will navigate for the first time in the summer of 2023 on the beach of Rouet.

In addition to a base on the harbor provided by the town of Leucate, the partnership includes the provision of the "Manufacture de la glisse" by the Agglomeration of Grand Narbonne. A facility that will allow the team to set up its workshop and offices a few minutes away from the sea.

This newly built industrial space will thus welcome a company combining technological development and innovation, which is the primary target for this new facility. Organized into workshops, offices, and a showroom, it is perfectly adapted to the needs of companies wishing to accelerate their R&D.

"We're thrilled to finally settle in Leucate, which will offer us optimal conditions to break the absolute world sailing speed record and reach more than 150km/h only powered by the wind." says Mayeul van den Broek, SP80's CEO and pilot of the boat. "Thanks to the hospitality of the town of Leucate and the Grand Narbonne Community of Agglomeration, our boat will sail as of its first run at the location we chose for our future record attempt. We will therefore be able to optimize it along the Rouet beach, in the same conditions as on D-day."

The Rouet beach was not chosen by chance: as a famous spot in the world of speed sailing, every year it welcomes many enthusiasts during the well-known "Mondial du Vent". The SP80 team is also already familiar with this spot, having carried out numerous kite tests there over the past few years.

"With this project, Leucate is solidifying its leadership in the field of wind and water sports." says Michel Py, Mayor - Regional Councillor of Leucate and Vice-Chairman of the Grand Narbonne. "Admirably combining technological research, sport and performance, we are proud and delighted to host the SP80 adventure. Thanks to the support of Grand Narbonne, this journey will be able to demonstrate that genius can transform the wind into an energy capable of uniting intelligence and goodwill at the service of progress for all."

For André-Luc Montagnier, Vice-Chairman of the Grand Narbonne: "New technologies, outdoor sports, digital professions, environmental education...so many subjects that intersect with the SP80 Challenge and that the Agglomeration supports, encourages and wishes to spread throughout Grand Narbonne!"

With the main parts completed (main hull, crossbeam and floats) and assembled in early 2023, there are a few steps left before the boat's first navigation:

Integration of the mechanical systems needed onboard, such as the steering systems of both the boat and the kite, or the safety equipment for the pilots
Production of a rudder and a foil
Installation of the power module, key element that connects the boat and the kite

Once those steps are done, the first navigations will be focused on optimizing this unique boat: "Before reaching 80 knots (150km/h), we will learn to apprehend the boat's behavior and to coordinate ourselves between pilots." says Benoit Gaudiot, the kite's pilot on the boat. "The goal is to accelerate step by step until December 2023 before working on the boat during the winter break. We will then come back to Leucate by spring 2024 with a sharpened boat for a first world sailing speed record attempt."