The SP80 benchmark: 65.45 Knots
Currently, the world sailing speed record stands at 65.45 knots (121.21 km/h), set by Australian Paul Larsen on Vestas Sailrocket II back in 2012. It’s a benchmark that has remained untouched for over a decade, and not for lack of trying. The challenge isn’t just about raw power—it’s about managing drag, stability, and the enormous forces acting on both the craft and the pilot at those speeds.
SP80’s target is to beat that mark convincingly, not by a fraction, but by setting a new bar altogether—80 knots. The key difference? Unlike the rigid wing sail and hydrofoil approach taken by Vestas Sailrocket, SP80 is turning to kite power.
The SP80 uses a kite, not a sail
SP80 doesn’t look—or behave—like any traditional sailboat. It’s a trimaran, with three hulls to maximise stability at high speeds. But instead of a mast and sail, SP80 is towed by a massive kite, essentially a controllable parafoil that flies ahead of the boat. This allows it to tap into faster and more stable wind layers higher off the water’s surface, which traditional sails can’t reach.
The kite’s energy is transferred to the boat via lines that connect to a solid, carbon-fibre structure, which is hydrodynamically optimised for minimal drag and maximum lift. Beneath the waterline, specially designed foils create dynamic lift and stability, allowing the craft to skim the surface rather than plough through it.
Milestone reached: Over 41 knots across 500-metres
After being clocked at 51 knots (95 km/h) during tests in late February 2025, SP80 recently hit a critical milestone—completing a run with an average speed of over 41 knots (76 km/h) over 500-metres. That benchmark distance is the one used to measure official world sailing speed records. It’s a clear sign of forward momentum, especially given that these results came despite suboptimal weather conditions.
The team is taking a pragmatic approach to progress. Rather than wait for perfect weather, they’re sailing whenever possible to ensure their pilots get time on the water. Their focus is on mastering the full performance envelope of the craft, from a standstill to speeds well north of 70 knots (130 km/h). Every outing is a chance to refine the kite handling, boat trajectory, foil adjustments, and pilot instincts.
“We’re fighting for every knot,” says the team. “It’s about pushing the limits, learning the boat’s behaviour in all conditions, and squeezing every bit of performance from the system. Our aim is clear—beat Larsen’s 65.45 knots and take the record home.”
The SP80 is built for speed and engineered for control
The SP80’s core structure is built from Carbon TPT (Thin Ply Technology), an ultra-lightweight and high-strength composite material often used in Formula One and aerospace engineering. It allows the team to shape complex curves and thin structures that can handle the immense loads at 80-knot speeds without adding weight or drag.
Two pilots ride in a tandem cockpit, protected by a reinforced carbon shell. One is responsible for steering and foil control, while the other manages the kite’s flight path. It’s a coordinated dance between air and water, requiring communication, split-second decisions, and a cool head at high speed.
Safety is paramount. The boat features a quick-release system that detaches the kite instantly if something goes wrong. The trimaran hulls provide inherent stability, and the cockpit is designed to absorb and deflect impact energy in the event of a crash.
From EPFL Lab to Leucate waters
The SP80 project began as a student concept at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). It has since grown into a full-fledged engineering mission backed by private investors, sponsors like Richard Mille, and a professional development team.
The SP80 construction process was a collaborative effort involving SP80, North Thin Ply Technology, Persico Marine, and Sinergia Racing Group. Using carbon fibre, parts were built by layering plies in moulds, with each layer compacted under vacuum and cured in an autoclave to
eliminate air bubbles and ensure strength. Sandwich structures—foam cores between carbon skins—were used in key areas to enhance stiffness without adding weight. After outer skin curing, foam cores were glued and cured again, followed by inner skin lamination and final autoclave treatment. Each finished part underwent non-destructive ultrasound testing to confirm structural integrity before final assembly.
Much of the hydrodynamic testing and simulation work took place in EPFL’s labs. Wind tunnel modelling, foil optimisation, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) played key roles in shaping the final boat. Real-world testing has been ongoing since 2023, first on Lake Geneva and then in the coastal town of Leucate, France, where steady offshore winds and flat water provide ideal conditions for record attempts.
Unlike traditional yacht racing, where tactics and crew work play a major role, the SP80 mission is all about physics and engineering. Every test run is tracked using a battery of sensors collecting real-time data on speed, loads, kite angle, foil forces, and acceleration. That data feeds directly back into the design cycle.
The team’s iterative approach—test, analyse, refine, repeat—is enabling rapid progress. For instance, small tweaks to the foil angle or kite control algorithms can result in major gains in straight-line speed and stability. It’s not about reinventing the wheel each time, but about fine-tuning every system to operate on the edge of what’s possible.
With successful 500m runs now in the bag and speeds well past 50 knots recorded in testing, the SP80 team is edging closer to the magical 65.45-knot mark. But they’re not just aiming to scrape past it—they want to redefine the limits entirely. Hitting 80 knots will require not only a perfect boat and conditions, but a level of control and precision few have ever experienced on water.
In the words of the team:
“The journey is not just about speed. It’s about showing what’s possible when you combine clean energy, radical design, and pure determination. We’re not here to follow the rules—we’re here to rewrite them.”
Beyond the record attempt, SP80 is a showcase for renewable energy innovation. Kite propulsion is a proven, scalable technology with implications for shipping and transport far beyond sport. The SP80 boat is essentially a high-speed lab on water—a glimpse at how the wind can be harnessed in new ways.
For more information and updates on the SP80 project, visit their official website at sp80.ch.
