Nigel Irens is a world-renowned British naval architect, recognized for his revolutionary innovations in the design of racing multihulls and expedition sailboats. A graduate of the Southampton Institute in 1976, Irens quickly established himself as a pioneer in multihull architecture, designing iconic projects such as Ellen MacArthur's trimarans (solo round-the-world record 2005) and numerous ORMA 60s, MOD 70s, and fast cruising projects. His philosophy is based on the balance between structural lightness, optimized hydrodynamics, and operational reliability in extreme conditions.
Irens is also known for his robust expedition sailboats designed for autonomous navigation in remote polar or tropical regions. La Louise, a schooner built by Thierry Dubois, exemplifies this approach: a solid steel boat, designed for safety and comfort in Arctic environments, capable of sailing for months without stopping. Irens masters the entire spectrum of naval design, from ultra-light racing boats to robust offshore cruising sailboats, including innovative multihulls. His rigorous methodological approach (CFD, VPP, tank testing) ensures predictable performance and proven reliability.
Iconic Projects
Ellen MacArthur's Trimaran (B&Q / Castorama) : 2005 solo round-the-world record
ORMA 60 Trimarans : Several victorious entries in transatlantic races
MOD 70 and Ultime Trimarans : Participation in record-breaking transoceanic projects
Expedition Sailboats : La Louise (polar schooner), steel sailboats for autonomous cruising
Fast Cruising Trimarans : Paradox 2.0 (with Benoît Cabaret) and other high-performance projects
