The first owner of the Lift 45
Xavier Bellouard commissioned the construction ofMaxitude, the first example of the Lift 45 designed by Marc Lombard and built by SR Structures shipyard (Lymington, UK) in mid-2025. On land, he is co-founder and CEO of ActiveViam, a London-based fintech software publisher. At sea, he sails with his family crew, including his son Alexandre.
An uncompromising scow hull design
Before the Lift 45, Xavier sailed on a Pogo 12.50 — also featuring a scow bow. Moving to a 45-foot boat designed by Lombard on the same principle of reversed bow with wide chines is not a gamble but the logical extension of an architectural choice. Commissioning hull number one of a model is a significant commitment: the owner bears the initial risks and validates the technical specifications at sea.
12,000 nautical miles in eight months
Between the launch in mid-2025 and the RORC Transat in January 2026, Maxitude covered more than 12,000 nautical miles. The program combined classic RORC races (Fastnet, Middle Sea Race) and the transatlantic crossing, all with a full crew. In the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, Maxitude was the first IRC One boat to pass the Fastnet Rock, roughly 30 minutes ahead of Moana (Marten 49). In the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race (Lanzarote to Grenada), it finished 3rd in IRC 1 and 4th overall in 10 days 12 hours, with William Blosse as co-skipper, and won the Yacht Club de France Trophy.
Maxitude’s achievements (2025–2026)
- Rolex Fastnet Race 2025: first to pass the Fastnet Rock in IRC One, approximately 30 minutes ahead of Moana (Marten 49).
- Rolex Middle Sea Race 2025: participation (start October 18, 2025, 118 yachts entered).
- RORC Transatlantic Race 2026: 3rd in IRC 1, 4th overall, finish on January 22, 2026 in 10 days 12 hours. Co-skipper William Blosse. Winner of the Yacht Club de France Trophy (best YCF entry in IRC).
