Sister ship optimized version of the Malizia-Seaexplorer, built using repurposed Airbus carbon
IMOCA Les P'tits Doudous was launched on June 2, 2025 at the Duqueine Atlantique yard in Malville (Loire-Atlantique). Design by VPLP for Armel Tripon, targeting the Vendée Globe 2028.
Hull design: V2 of the Malizia mold, deck 200 mm lower
The boat reuses the hull mold of the Malizia-Seaexplorer (Boris Herrmann, launched in July 2022) to avoid producing a new mold. The deck geometry, however, is redesigned by VPLP — lowered by 200 mm — making it an "optimized V2" rather than a strict sister ship.
Construction: 65% Airbus repurposed carbon, surgical-grade titanium, mainsail in flax fiber
Hull, deck, and internal bulkheads incorporate 65% downgraded carbon fibers recovered from Airbus’ Technocentre in Nantes. Friction rings are machined from titanium recovered from surgical-grade equipment (orthopedic materials collected by healthcare professionals) and from manufacturers. The mainsail is made with 50% flax fiber. Claimed CO₂ equivalent reduction: 208 t on construction, versus ~400 t for a standard IMOCA, i.e., −45%. The hull features artwork painted directly by artist Cyril Kongo.
Technical specifications
- Length: 18.28 m
- Beam: 11 m
- Draft: 4.5 m
- Wing mast, height 29 m
- Foils
- Maximum sail area: 265 m² upwind, 345 m² downwind
Boat achievements (2025)
- Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération 2025 — 8th in the 48-hour double-handed race (Armel Tripon / Tanguy Leglatin), 3rd in the Azimut Runs. First race for the boat.
- Transat Café L'OR 2025 — 12th in double-handed (Tripon / Leglatin), arrival in Fort-de-France on November 10, 2025, in 14 days 22 hours 30 minutes.
Associated program
The boat carries the colors of the association Les P'tits Doudous, a network of volunteer healthcare professionals founded in 2011 that funds VR headsets, games, and pediatric ward decorations for children undergoing surgery, through hospital waste recycling, donations, and sponsorship. Armel Tripon is the association’s patron.
