Sister-ship optimized version of the Malizia-Seaexplorer, built with reused Airbus carbon fiber
IMOCALes P'tits Doudouswas launched onJune 2, 2025at the Duqueine Atlantique shipyard in Malville (Loire-Atlantique). Design by VPLP for Armel Tripon, targeting the Vendée Globe 2028.
Hull design: V2 of the Malizia mold, deck lowered by 200 mm
The boat reuses the hull mold of the Malizia-Seaexplorer (Boris Herrmann, launched in July 2022), avoiding the need for a new mold. The deck geometry is redesigned by VPLP — lowered by 200 mm — making it an "optimized V2" rather than a strict sister-ship.
Construction: 65% reused Airbus carbon fiber, surgical-grade titanium, mainsail in linen
Hull, deck, and internal bulkheads incorporate 65% of downgraded carbon fibers recovered from Airbus Technocentre in Nantes. Friction rings are machined from surgical-grade titanium recovered from operating rooms (orthopedic equipment collected by healthcare workers) and from manufacturers. The mainsail is made with 50% linen fiber. Claimed carbon footprint: 208 t CO₂ eq for construction, compared to ~400 t for a standard IMOCA, a −45% reduction. 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 volunteer healthcare network founded in 2011 that funds virtual reality headsets, games, and decoration for pediatric wards for children undergoing surgery, through recycling of hospital waste, donations, and sponsorship. Armel Tripon is the association's patron.
