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A large-scale logistics transfer
The arrival of the Orient Express in Lorient (Morbihan) marks a turning point for the K-Challenge team. On leaving Barcelona, the French challenger transferred all its equipment and fleet to Brittany, a region renowned for its expertise in competitive sailing. The equipment was unloaded on the TCD quay, a secure area located between the Naval Group shipyard and the fusiliers marins base.
This move required impressive logistics, with seven exceptional convoys to transport the AC40 and AC75 âeuros the teamâ??s competition yachts âeuros as well as masts, a hydrofoil boat, RIBs and 45 containers of technical and strategic equipment.
A strategic base in Lorient
By 2026, K-Challenge will have officially moved to the Péristyle, a site offering dedicated premises and a pontoon. In the meantime, the team has set up two large tents (1000 m² and 1500 m²) to house its work infrastructures. These facilities will enable engineers and technicians to continue developing and preparing for future nautical challenges.
The Lorient location provides an ideal setting for innovation and performance. According to K-Challenge management, this transition marks a major step forward: " It's a strategic anchor within Lorient's competitive sailing ecosystem, where we'll continue to innovate, progress and push our limits."
State-of-the-art technical resources
Among the equipment deployed, K-Challenge relies on two high-performance simulators to analyze and optimize boat settings and maneuvers. Thanks to ultra-realistic modeling of sailing conditions, these tools offer an essential competitive edge for fine-tuning crew performance.
The team is also focusing on technological innovation, notably with a hydrogen foiling boat designed to contribute to the decarbonization of the maritime sector. This project illustrates K-Challenge's ambition to integrate sustainable solutions into its developments.
A new chapter for French sailing
With this relocation, K-Challenge positions itself at the heart of the Lorient cluster of excellence, joining other major ocean racing teams. This new chapter is aimed at strengthening the team's competitiveness with a view to future editions of the America's Cup.
The move to Lorient is much more than a simple relocation: it represents a new dynamic for French sailing, anchored in an ecosystem conducive to high performance and maritime innovation.
