In March, after months of incremental progress, the SP80 team notched up its most significant breakthroughs to date. Testing their revolutionary kite-powered speed craft in the challenging early spring conditions of Leucate, France, the team finally caught a window of the elusive Tramontane wind—and made it count.
Shortly after the team’s February update, conditions allowed them to hit a symbolic milestone: a sustained average speed of 41.358 knots (77 km/h) over 500 metres. It was a long-anticipated step, made all the sweeter by what followed. The next day, despite unpromising forecasts, a perfectly timed gust and an ideal line sent SP80 surging to 51.064 knots (95 km/h). It marked the first time the boat cracked the 50-knot mark—an impressive benchmark for any speed sailing campaign and strong evidence of the boat’s potential when the elements line up.
A little later in March, the team pushed the 500m average even further, reaching 42.713 knots—just a knot more, but with far greater control and precision. Just as notable was their progress over longer distances: SP80 logged its first record over a nautical mile with an average of 30.638 knots (55 km/h). While still far from Paul Larsen’s 55-knot mile record, it’s a meaningful development. Not long ago, maintaining stability over 500 metres was a challenge; now, the team is confidently managing runs spanning several kilometres.
March also marked a cumulative milestone: SP80 has now completed over 100 test runs since their first trials with a kite. Seven sessions yielded 37 runs, with a maximum of eight in a single day. These intensive days—starting at dawn and finishing at sunset—highlight the team’s growing efficiency and their deepening understanding of the boat’s dynamics.
However, the month wasn’t without complications. The Tramontane wind arrived from a more westerly direction than usual, which disrupted the optimal wind angle (100–110°) required for peak performance. This forced the team to choose between ideal angles or smoother water near shore—highlighting just how sensitive the boat is to minor changes in wind direction.
Another insight emerged from kite line length testing. While theory suggests shorter lines reduce drag and improve speed, in practice they make the kite more twitchy and harder to manage—sometimes reducing overall performance. The team is now working on ways to strike the right balance.
With each run, SP80 edges closer to its goal: smashing the world sailing speed record.
