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Contrasting weather revives the game
The start of the Paprec 600 in Saint-Tropez on April 23, 2026 did not augur well for a record-breaking edition. Light winds at the gun shot, then changing conditions throughout the course: the scenario seemed open, with no clear advantage for the fastest boats. In this context, the management of transitions and points of sail weighed more heavily than pure speed.
An Infiniti 52 optimized for reaching
However, Tulikettu, an Infiniti 52 equipped with a retractable transverse DSS foil, set a new reference time in 3 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes and 1 second . A performance achieved with average speeds of between 8 and 10 knots over the entire course, and a faster finish. The previous record, held since 2025 by Mikael Mergui and Richard Robini's Class40 Centrakor, has been lowered by around twelve hours.
The DSS (Dynamic Stability System) played a decisive role in the sustained reaching phases. The crew was able to use the foil for more than six consecutive hours, particularly at night, in favorable wind and angle conditions. This configuration increases lateral lift and reduces heel, enabling high speeds to be maintained without compromising control.
Technical modifications validated during the race
Several changes were made to the boat in the run-up to the event. A new, shallower rudder blade was installed, along with an optimized keel, already tested the previous year. The aim was to improve the compromise between lift and drag. Work has also been carried out on the interceptor to control pitch, particularly when reaching, by limiting burying in heavy seas.
Arto Linnervuo, skipper of Tulikettu, sums up the contribution of these developments: " The main thing is that it works perfectly well now, paired with our new keel [...] offering more lift and less drag, so a very good combination. "He adds: " We had over six hours on the foil last night [...] it's our weapon. "
A hierarchy still in motion in other classes
Behind Tulikettu, the race remains open in the various categories. The Class40s crossed the Giraglia on the morning of April 23, 2026 and began their return to Saint-Tropez. FRA142 Phare40 HA Plus PME, skippered by Mathieu Claveau and François Verdier, is provisionally leading ahead of Stella Nova and Aquamarin. The pack remains compact, leaving room for strategic choices towards the end of the course.
In crewed IRC, Leclerc Hennebont Cocody is provisionally second behind Tulikettu. Several boats, including Stergann, Overdose Neo and Raging Bee, remain in contention for the podium. In the IRC Duo class, Marco Paolucci and Niccolo Bertola's JPK 11.80 Libertine maintains its lead, closely followed by Blue 007 and Sakifo.
Confirmation of the compensated time rankings is expected at the prize-giving ceremony on April 25, 2026 at the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez.
