Friday 1 October 2010

l'Hydroptère at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez


l'Hydroptère at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Image copyright Gilles MARTIN-RAGET.

by l'Hydroptère media

For now three weeks, l’Hydroptère has landed on the shores of the Cote d'Azur, where she performs the last leg of her 2010 European loop. Since Monday, she has been sailing close to the classic regattas of the “Voiles de Saint-Tropez”.

Even if the team led by Alain Thébault has a Breton heart, the members also like the Mediterranean blue. Under an azure blue and on crystal clear waters, the crew beat the absolute sailing speed record exactly one year ago with 30 knots of Mistral wind in the Hyères harbour. This year, the presence of l’Hydroptère in the South of France is part of a PR programme organized with the help of the two major partners i.e. the Geneva private bank Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie and the watchmaking manufactury Audemars Piguet.


l'Hydroptère at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Image copyright Nicolas JUTZI.

The wind conditions were ideal during the first weeks of September and l’Hydroptère was able to take off every day, achieving top speeds at 43 knots. The journalists from Asia, the United States and all over Europe could appreciate the “flying carpet”’s level of performance and share great moments with the crew.

Alain Thébault and his crew members will continue their sailing sessions in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez until the end of September. The boat will be particularly visible during “Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez” which will take place from 25th September until 3rd October. The presence of the carbon bird among traditional sailing boats and unusual Wally boats should offer a wonderful show to the public.

L'Hydroptere