Safety solution in case of dismasting - LibertyKite® - Vendée Globe 2024

To coincide with the start of the Vendée Globe 2024, we boarded a Dufour 40 to try out the LibertyKite® 20m² in Safety mode. In a wind of 13/14 knots and a small swell, the yacht was sailing at a speed of 4 knots with its 9 tonnes of unladen weight.
As a reminder, more than half of the skippers in the Vendée Globe have taken a LibertyKite® 20m² on board their IMOCA in case of dismasting.
LibertyKite® is a unique marine traction system, designed to transform any boat from 4 to 30 metres into a wind-powered sailboat. The result of ten years of research and development, LibertyKite® is a patented product designed to be self-stabilising and simple to use, with no need for piloting skills.
Key benefits :
Versatility: Suitable for sailboats, powerboats, monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. Four sizes available: 10m², 20m², 40m² and 80m².
Easy to use: Compact, lightweight and portable, LibertyKite® can be deployed in around 15 to 25 minutes, with a simple instruction manual and video tutorials.
Eco-responsibility: Helps reduce energy consumption by using a free, natural resource: the wind.
Increased safety: Makes the trip safer in the event of engine failure or dismasting, offering additional autonomy at sea.
Technical specifications :
1. Structure: Made from high-strength fabric, the LibertyKite® adopts an arch shape reinforced by a Dyneema core. Its front edge inflates naturally with non-return valves, and its rear section is made up of a single skin ensuring stability in flight, even in irregular winds.
2. Pulling power: Depending on the size and wind speed, the pulling power can reach 20 kg/m², generating up to three times the power of a conventional canopy for the same surface area.
3. Speed and flying conditions: Optimised for winds between 10 and 25 knots, the LibertyKite® ensures speeds of 3 to 6 knots depending on sea conditions, the size of the kite and the characteristics of the boat.
Use and settings :
Set-up: Attach the lines to the two cleats on the boat with adequate spacing (depending on the size of the kite). The LibertyKite® inflates automatically and takes off in a few simple steps.
Deployment and stabilisation: Once airborne, adjust the lines to stabilise the kite at the desired angle (approximately 45°) to ensure optimum traction.
Reefing: To reef the LibertyKite®, retrieve it by the lines or by releasing one of the two lines to feather it and cancel its power.
LibertyKite® applications:
Eco-responsible sailing: Towing the boat without a mast or complex fittings, thereby limiting the ecological footprint.
Extended range: Reduces fuel consumption for motorboats or extends the life of the energy for electric boats.
Increased safety: In the event of a breakdown or dismasting, the LibertyKite® allows you to maintain a safe trajectory, or even head for a place of shelter.