Yves Parlier unveils his latest project

A 25ft hydroplaning catamaran powered by a kite

Well he did mention to us at the Vendee Globe that he was investigating kites - however Yves Parlier is appears has been squirrelling away down at his base in Arcachon combining a new catamaran, with a hydroplaning hull (as on his 60ft catamaran) with kite power.

From 11 to 19 April 2009, Parlier will be competing in Leucate for the 13th Mondial du Vent, where the best kitesurfers and windsurfers on the planet gather to demonstrate how fast they can go. Among the courses is a long distance one of 20km.

While he will be up against the usual array of kiteboarders, Parlier in partnership with Orange will be fielding his new 25ft catamaran equipped with a kite and solar panels.

This latest development continues Parlier's background as being, alongside Eric Tabarly, as one of the greatest innovators in French sailing history. A composites engineer by training, Parlier has had a hugely successful racing career in the Mini, Figaro and Open 60 classes. In the 1996 Vendee Globe he made the first circumnavigation without fossil fuels aboard his monohull Aquitaine Innovations. Since then he has been involved in a prolonged research into different aspects of sustainable development applied to the sea: naval architecture, energy management, building materials, awareness of young people ....

His 'Beyond the Sea' campaign is an approach to both technical and creative practice for a sustainable life at sea, based on improved energy management, structures and economy of the boat. It relies on optimization of travel on water, less dependence on fossil fuels and respect for the environment, plus better safety. It seeks to optimise performance by combining technologies such as the hulls, kite and solar energy. Such a combination of energy and technology Parlier is campaigning, offers a real alternative for the maritime world in the future, both for pleasure, merchant marine or fishing industries.

More photos on the following pages....