Following the launch of Malizia-SeaexplorerBoris Herrmann’s Imoca to be launched in 2022, VPLP Design has been entrusted by Armel Tripon with the design of his 60-foot Les P’tits Doudous. With the aim of considerably reducing the carbon impact of the construction of his future boat, the skipper decided to use decommissioned carbon from the aeronautics industry (from the Airbus Technocentre in Nantes).
Mould construction accounts for a large proportion of the total carbon emissions of a new boat, so the hull
of Les P’tits Doudous was built in the mould made for Malizia-Seaexplorer; however the mould for the deck
was modified to suit Armel’s need for an IMOCA focused on solo racing. The design was achieved without
compromising on weight or performance, and a pair of next-generation foils was built for the project.
The use of reclaimed carbon fibre from Airbus was a considerable challenge for the design team and the
Duqueine Atlantique yard which built the hull and deck assembly.
In total, 65% of Les P’tits Doudous was built with recycled carbon fibre. Due to a lack of data on the subject,
certain key parts (mast and keel bulkheads) were nevertheless built with virgin carbon fibre. Launched in
June 2025, Armel Tripon’s IMOCA differs from Malizia-Seaexplorer (now 11th Hour Racing) in her lower
sheer and redesigned canopy and coachroof, the latter more aligned to solo use. The foils have been
optimized so as to take off earlier and increase their operating range.
