FAIR WINDS AT THE INAUGURAL RICHARD MILLE CUP

The journey began with a vision shared between Richard Mille and Benoît Couturier, leading to Team Fife and the Richard Mille Cup. This endeavor aimed to rekindle the spirit of classic sailing, reminiscent of the golden era when these splendid early 20th-century vessels ruled the waves.

Richard Mille expressed his admiration, "These early 20thcentury sailboats were designed and built for nothing but speed, and it’s that extreme quality I appreciate. Their beauty and efficiency contribute to their formidable personalities."

The inaugural Richard Mille Cup paid tribute to historic pre-war regattas, racing across the English Channel, where the first great yacht races in history unfolded.

Esteemed yacht clubs, including the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Royal Dart Yacht Club of Dartmouth, and exclusive Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, played gracious hosts. Over two weeks, inshore and passage races carried antique sailing yachts from Falmouth to Cowes via Dartmouth, crossing the English Channel to Le Havre, France. Unpredictable weather and changing sea conditions tested the skills and adaptability of skippers and crews.

Each race brought new challenges as tactics adapted to shifting wind and sea conditions. Skippers orchestrated precise maneuvers, from gybing to sail management. Battles on the water featured majestic schooners like Atlantic, Adix, and Mariette.

At the cup's culmination, Mariette emerged as the Schooner class winner, rekindling the spirit of classic yacht racing and fostering camaraderie among participants. This inaugural journey celebrates the timeless allure of classic yachts, promising greater adventures ahead.

Partnering with Swiss team SP80, the goal is audacious - to reach 80 knots (150 km/h) using wind power alone. North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT™), renowned for preimpregnated materials, supplies cutting-edge Carbon TPT® for the boat's construction.

SP80, founded in 2018 by engineers passionate about sailing, aims to surpass the 2012 record of 65.45 knots (121.21 km/h). Their revolutionary 7-meter-long, 6-meter-wide boat features a hull entirely crafted from Carbon TPT®, propelled by a massive 20-meter kite.

A 'super-ventilated' foil maintains stability at high speeds, preventing cavitation, while a patented power management system efficiently channels kite power to the boat's foil.

Richard Mille's involvement reflects a shared spirit of innovation and performance with SP80.

Tim Malachard, Marketing Director at Richard Mille, notes, "In this young company, we see the effervescence of an enthusiastic and talented team."

The SP80 boat recently touched the waters of Lake Geneva, inaugurating testing and optimization for a record attempt in 2024.

Richard Mille's venture into extreme sailing showcases its commitment to pushing boundaries, innovation, and performance.