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Hexcel congratulates FONCIA & SAFRAN teams

22 Nov '07

3 min read

Working to an extremely tight schedule, the team took four months to plan and design the boat with a view to building a high-tech carbon honeycomb sandwich structure, as lightweight as possible but strong enough to withstand single-handed sailing in the worst ocean-going conditions.

The Chantier Naval de Larros shipyard, which specialises in the composite construction of boats, was selected to build the SAFRAN.

Materials selection was critical and, as preferred partner for the supply of composites, Hexcel took up the challenge and helped the architects optimize the choice of carbon fibers and composites, within the confines of the Open 60 restrictions.

A range of HexPly M10 prepregs with woven and unidirectional reinforcements was selected. Hexcel's carbon fiber was used extensively: HexTow IM7 very high strength carbon fiber was used for the hull and deck structures; while HexTow IM9 super strength carbon fiber was selected for the bow section and the hull.

The SAFRAN achievement is all the more outstanding considering the boat lost its large spinnaker on day 10 day of the race, resulting in a 15 degree wind angle loss in relation to the other competing boats.

According to the skipper, Marc Guillemot: "This boat has so many assets and is state-of-the art. The extreme lightness and rigidity make it highly manoeuvrable, which is a major asset".

The Transat race was superb training for the Vendee Globe solo, round the world race that starts in November 2008, which has always been the main goal for the SAFRAN team, and in which the two boats will again compete.

Hexcel Corporation

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