Spindrift 2 was relaunched this Tuesday, May 12 in Vannes after having been optimized in weight and power. Months of calculations and reflexion were necessary to create this 2015 version of the biggest racing trimaran in the world. The chassis has been improved, the engine completely changed, a new 42 meter mast has been installed âeuros it is 25% lighter than the original one âeuros and a new set of sails installed. The Spindrift Racing team, founded by Yann Guichard and his partner Dona Bertarelli, has done everything possible to improve the boat and make it lighter, both in weight and in sailing.
These improvements have been made in order to achieve the Jules Verne Trophy which will take place this winter and to beat the current record of 45 days and 13 hours. This record around the world under crewed sail through the three capes from Brittany is held by this same maxi-trimaran. It is the former maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire V which had set the record in 2012 and was bought by Spindrift Racing in 2013. When Yann Guichard and his partner bought the multihull, they were convinced that it was possible to improve on this record.
"We wanted to build a team around us to lead technical and sports projects that allow us to go for performance and excellence," says Dona Bertarelli. " We are extremely proud of how far we've come and look forward to getting back to offshore sailing aboard Spindrift 2 soon in preparation for the Jules Verne Trophy record."
Yann Guichard remains convinced that despite its size, Spindrift 2 remains an airy, versatile and powerful boat, without having to sail hard. For the past two years, all the modifications the multihull has undergone have been in this direction. The "hybrid" version designed for the Route du Rhum in 2014 had been specially adapted for solo sailing.
On the round the world course, you need a boat with a sail area in light airs, at ease in the weather transition phases, but also capable of lengthening its stride in the southern swell and strong winds, without having to reduce sail too much. " We designed a slightly shorter mast than the original one with a structure optimized by our design team in collaboration with GSea Design engineers," explains Yann Guichard. " It was built to a high standard at CDK Technologies in the longest autoclave in Europe (a 50 meter oven). We save half a ton on the part, or a quarter of the starting weight. With the gain made on the North Sails and the rig, we will have more than a ton less to carry up top, which will translate into pure speed as well as into the general behavior of the boat."
To lighten the boat, several tens of kilos were removed from the platform: three winch columns instead of four at the start, a streamlined hydraulic system, interior fittings reduced to their simplest expression, everything was scrutinized. " We changed for example all the bags on board which are used to carry the equipment, the ropes, the clothes, the food and this made us save 40 kilos, that is to say half the weight of a crew member" says the navigator.
"We have also entered into a technological partnership with the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), which opens up fabulous prospects for us in areas as broad as onboard energy and hydrodynamics, and we are already adapting some of the innovations on board Spindrift 2. We are also improving the boatâ??s aerodynamics. The cap has been extended towards the back of the cockpit, and the nets have been replaced by bargees in certain placesâ?¦ The look of Spindrift 2 is changing a little bit, with the aim of going for performance wherever possible concludes the skipper of the maxi-trimaran.
After stress tests carried out on the new mast at the quayside, the tuning sails should begin in the next few days. Spindrift 2 will participate in mid-August in the Fastnet Race before the Jules Trophy which will start in October in Brest.
Technical specifications
| Name | maxi-trimaran Spindrift 2 |
| Length of the central shell | 40 m |
| Length of the floats | 37 m |
| Width | 23 m |
| Moving | 21.50 tons |
| Draft | 5,10 m |
| Air draft | 45 m |
| Mast height | 42 m |
| Mainsail | 405 m2 |
| Gennaker max | 560 m2 |
| Gennaker medium | 450 m2 |
| Gennaker mini | 360 m2 |
| Reacher | 260 m2 |
| Trinquette | 170 m2 |
| ORC | 75 m2 |
Program of the maxi-trimaran Spindrift 2 :
May âeuros end of July
- Training on board Spindrift 2.
- Fastnet race (August 16, 2015)
46th edition of the very classic, very mythical and very British Fastnet Race: 605 miles of a colorful course along the coast of English Cornwall, from Cowes, Mecca of Anglo-Saxon sailing, to the famous Irish rock called Fastnet Rock, with a return via the Scilly to Plymouth Bay
September âeuros October
- Training on board Spindrift 2.
- Jules Verne Trophy
Round the world starting from Ushant Island (Brittany) passing through the three capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin and the Horn. Record held since January 6, 2012 by the maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire V (Loïck Peyron and thirteen crew members) in 45 days 13 hours 42 minutes and 53 seconds at an average speed of 19.75 knots.
Credits: Eloi STICHELBAUT
