Born in 2016 of a unique collaboration between Arkema and the Lalou Multi ocean racing sports team, the Arkema 3 Mini 6.50 prototype is now entering a new phase: the world of sports competition. The technical innovations of the monohull have been validated and its young skipper, Quentin Vlamynck, is familiarizing himself with the boat. It now remains to put this "racing beast" to the test against the competition!
An unusual prototype
Arkema 3 is a concentrate of innovations like no other sailboat in its category before. First of all with its construction process involving the use of Elium®, the first liquid thermoplastic resin allowing the manufacture of recyclable composite parts.
This monohull is also notable by its many technical and architectural innovations: rounded stem, tilting foils, canting keel, wing mast, adjustable forestay, retractable bowsprit, etc.
Getting ready for the competition!
In April Quentin and Arkema 3 will start the 2017 season in the Lorient BSM, a double-handed race he will compete in with Lalou Roucayrol. For the next competitions, Quentin will go it alone and will validate his qualification for the Mini-Transat by completing the Pornichet Select 6.50, the Mini in May and the Trophée MAP. "The ultimate objective is this solo transatlantic race and I want to do well. If I manage to complete, the boat will leave its mark on the history of the Mini!" explains Quentin Vlamynck.
Quentin is handling the project very well. As a skipper, he’s fully engaged and knows his boat inside out. He has already gathered a huge amount of sailing data and is now able to express them as technical needs. The prototype requires another kind of approach to fine-tuning the boat. It’s not straightforward and so I’m helping him with this.