Alain Thébault had a dream of making a boat fly.
From the beginning of the project, Alain Thébault has surrounded himself with experienced and passionate teams to design l’Hydroptère and make her fly in a reliable way. But all of this would not have been possible without the help of partners who, throughout the years, have enabled Alain Thébault to make his dream endure.
The principal partners
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Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie – 1796
1796, the date symbolically printed on l'Hydroptère's sail, refers to the foundation year of the private banking house in Geneva, Switzerland, of Messieurs Lombard, Odier, Darier, Hentsch & Cie. This date expresses the commitment over two centuries of the firm's families and associates, their passion for their profession, as well as their great ability to adapt and innovate.
The support brought to l'Hydroptère since 2005 is an expression of the essential values held by the firm and its Foundation (The 1796 Foundation). As a matter of fact, Jules Verne cited this firm as one of the financial support of the advanced project described in his book, From the Earth to the Moon.
"Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie - 1796 supports l'Hydroptère: a human and technological challenge, a dream that has become a reality, the dream of a flying boat."
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Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer never to have left the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Since 1875, the company has written some of the essential chapters in the history of fine watchmaking, including a number of world firsts, such as the creation in 1972 of the legendary Royal Oak, the first luxury steel watch; or the 2006 launch of the new highperformance, lubricant-free Audemars Piguet escapement. The brand is based in the Joux Valley at the heart of the Swiss Jura, where it crafts its masterpieces issued in limited series and embodying a remarkable level of horological perfection: sporty and daring models; classic and traditional timepieces; as well as splendid ladies’ jewellery watches and one-of-a-kind creations.
The world of sailing is a field that Audemars Piguet knows well. As early as 1985, the watchmaking firm accompanied Peter Fehlmann, winner of the Whitbread. In 2000, it participated in its first America’s Cup, with “Be hAPpy”, and then went on to take part in the fantastic Swiss victories in the 31st and 32nd America’s Cup. In 2008 and 2009, the watchmaker was alongside Ladycat on the Decision 35 circuit on Lake Geneva. Today, it has become one of two main sponsors in the wonderful world of l’Hydroptère. This partnership, which is perfectly consistent with the pioneering spirit and values of Audemars Piguet, is the beginning of a wonderful human and technological adventure.
The official scientific advisor
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
Since 2006 the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) has been the “official scientific advisor to l’Hydroptère”.
The EPFL has lent the talents and expertise in calculation and methods of experimentation of its researchers and students to l’Hydroptère project.
Studies are conducted jointly by the EPFL and the Hydroptère Design Team on three principal areas: structure and materials, aerodynamic and hydrodynamic behaviours, and computer vision.
The EPFL laboratories involved in the project:
The EPFL at a glance
The EPFL is one of two federal institutes of technology in Switzerland. Like the ETHZ, its sister school in Zurich, it has been entrusted with three missions: education, research and development at the highest international level. Associated with several specialized research institutes, the two schools make up the EPF sector, which depends directly upon the Federal Department of the Interior.
Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the EPFL unites nearly all of its members (close to 10,000) on one site. By stimulating encounters and exchange between students, professors, researchers and businessmen, the Institute encourages the emergence of new scientific, technological and architectural projects.
Besides setting new records, this adventure has also enabled progress in technology. Many other fields will be able to benefit from the research conducted in the Hydroptère project.
Links:
www.epfl.ch
Official supplier
The Henri Lancelin Rope-Makers
Rope-making specialists for over a century, the Lancelin company became the “official supplier to l’Hydroptère” in December 2007.
The Henri Lancelin rope-makers share the flying trimaran’s values of innovation and research in performance and high technology. The rope-maker’s teams work in close collaboration with our technicians and engineers, conducting studies and experiments on the materials and their resistance, and developing custom ropes adapted to the specific needs of l’Hydroptère.
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