/ 
The first Lift V3 built by Neo Sailing Technologies left the Verdon-sur-Mer shipyard on July 1, 2026. Intended for skipper Alexis Loison, this Class40 marks a new milestone in the development of the Gironde-based shipyard, already renowned for its achievements in offshore racing. This project also highlights the collaboration between the naval architect, the builder, and the sailor in the design of a boat intended for ocean racing.
The first Lift V3, which adds to the project's portfolio of completed projects
Designed by Marc Lombard Yacht Design, the boat is the third vessel built to the Lift V3 design but the first to be built by Neo Sailing Technologies. Its construction took nine months and involved a team of about ten employees, supplemented by several specialists who assisted with specific tasks.
The entire boat was built in Verdon-sur-Mer, from the composite work to the finishing touches. Only the mast, keel, and rudders were sourced from specialized suppliers.
For Neo Sailing Technologies, this project is the latest in a series of collaborations with Marc Lombard Yacht Design, which has already partnered with the company on other Class40 programs.
As Quentin Vlamynck, CEO of Neo Sailing Technologies, points out, " "It's a very well-developed plan that draws on all the experience gained from previous projects. The entire team did a fantastic job on the composite work, and Alexis placed a great deal of trust in us regarding that aspect of the construction."
A construction project overseen on a daily basis by the skipper
Unlike a production boat, a competitive Class40 is developed through a process that closely involves the sailor in technical decisions. A regular visitor to the shipyard, Alexis Loison helped make decisions regarding cockpit ergonomics, the layout of the deck hardware, the interior layout, and the solutions chosen to facilitate solo sailing maneuvers.
This approach makes it possible to adapt the boat to the skipper's preferences while retaining the characteristics of the architect's design. For Alexis Loison, this is also the first monohull built specifically for his racing program.
A first test right from the start at the Drheam Cup
Before entering the competition, the boat must still complete several technical steps. The schedule includes the regulatory heel test, measurement procedures, and then the first test runs to validate the settings.
The Class40 will then head to Cherbourg to compete in the Drheam Cup, which starts on July 12, 2026. This race will primarily serve as a tune-up before the season?s major events.
The sailor hopes to use this first race to assess the boat?s performance against the competition and identify any final technical adjustments before the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe, which will set sail on November 1, 2026, from Saint-Malo.
Ocean racing remains a testing ground for boat builders
Beyond the sporting aspect, this project illustrates the role played by the Class40 class in the development of construction technologies. Through its subsidiary NST Yacht&Lab, Neo Sailing Technologies continues its work on composite manufacturing processes and the use of recyclable materials, notably the thermoplastic resin Elium, which facilitates the recycling of structures at the end of their life cycle.
These programs also serve as a testing ground for production methods that could be applied to other segments of the shipbuilding industry. Racing boats make it possible to quickly validate solutions related to composite processes, weight reduction, assembly quality, and structural optimization.
With this first Lift V3, Neo Sailing Technologies is adding a new benchmark to its racing boat construction business, in a market where there are still very few shipyards in France capable of producing high-end prototypes.
