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With just a few months to go before the 2026 Route du Rhum, Team Actual continues to make technical improvements to its Ultim. Following the acquisition of the former Gitana in January 2025, a new milestone has been reached with the installation of a completely redesigned rig. The goal is to improve the aerodynamic control of the sails in order to fine-tune the settings for the trimaran?s various courses and flight phases.
A mast designed to change the shape of the mainsail
Unlike a conventional mast, this new spar was designed to deform intentionally in order to directly influence the profile of the mainsail.
Thanks to a system of hydraulic cylinders, the tube can bend forward. This movement shifts the center of the mast and alters the sail?s draft. The goal is to adjust the balance between power and drag according to sailing conditions. This design philosophy draws inspiration from developments seen in recent years on America?s Cup monohulls.
A carbon-fiber construction designed for this new function
To achieve this controlled deformation, the engineers redesigned the mast's internal architecture. While its external profile remains similar to that of a conventional mast, its carbon fiber structure has been completely redesigned.
The layering of the various fiber layers was redesigned to allow for this flex while maintaining the mechanical properties required for an Ultim. The development project brought together the design teams at Team Actual, GSEA Design, North Sails France, and the manufacturer Lorima.
LIDAR for Real-Time Sail Measurement
The other development concerns the adjustment mechanisms. Four LIDAR sensors are installed on the bridge to continuously measure the geometry of the mainsail.
This laser remote-sensing technology allows the sail to be scanned at various heights. The data collected is used to monitor the effect of mast bend and to adjust settings while sailing. The work on the mast?s fiber-optic system was carried out in collaboration with Pixel sur Mer.
Scheduled practice sessions before the season's races
The mast is scheduled to be hoisted on June 30, 2026, ahead of the first sea trials, which are scheduled for early July. The sail plan has also been updated to align with this new rig.
The schedule leaves little time before the season?s major events. Anthony Marchand will continue his pseudo-solo sailing sessions ahead of the 24H Ultim, held in Lorient from September 24 to 27, 2026, followed by the Route du Rhum, which will start in Saint-Malo on November 1, 2026. These initial miles will allow him to test the performance of the new mast and fine-tune the settings ahead of the season?s major races.
