An exceptional MOD70 racing trimaran
Zoulou is a MOD70 trimaran designed by the renowned naval architecture firm VPLP Design and built in 2012 by CDK Technologies in Port-la-Forêt. Since its acquisition by Erik Maris in May 2022, this 21.2-meter carbon beast has amassed an impressive record in the most prestigious ocean races. The boat has had several owners since its launch, including Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec Recycling), Yann Eliès, and the Concise Team, before joining Maris’s stable. The MOD70 class (Multi One Design) represents the elite of monohull ocean-racing trimarans, capable of sustained speeds above 35 knots and reaching peaks of 60 km/h. 2023 marked the pinnacle of Zoulou’s achievements with a spectacular victory in the RORC Caribbean 600, won by just 11 seconds over Giovanni Soldini’s Maserati Multi70 after 600 nautical miles and more than 30 hours of intense racing. This victory underscores the boat’s and crew’s extreme competitiveness under the helm of Ned Collier Wakefield.
Skysat technology and equipment
The MOD70 Zoulou benefits from the latest technological innovations in embedded electronics provided by Skysat. Capable of sustained speeds exceeding 35 knots, the trimaran requires an ultra-reliable navigation and communication system to optimize every tactical decision during transatlantic races. The NKE electronics suite installed by Skysat provides the crew with precise real-time data on boat performance, weather conditions, and GPS positioning. The boat is equipped with the latest generation of VPLP-designed foils and rudders, enabling it to fly above waves at high speed. The advanced composite construction ensures lightness and structural rigidity, with a displacement of just 6.3 tonnes for 21.2 meters in length and 16.8 meters in beam. The rigging includes a tilting composite mast, a retractable rudder system, and curved foils for lift assistance.
Epic duels and recent successes
Since 2015, Zoulou and its rival Argo (American MOD70 skippered by Jason Carroll) have been locked in an epic battle across the world’s oceans. Ned Collier Wakefield, who has competed in five RORC Transatlantic Races aboard MOD70s, describes this rivalry as "an infernal battle that continues year after year, and what makes it so beautiful is that it’s tight—every race, every leg offers a chance for the lead or victory to change hands." Zoulou’s 2023–2024 record reflects this consistency at the highest level: victory in the 2023 RORC Caribbean 600, victory at the 2023 Voiles de Saint-Barth, third place in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race, second place in the 2024 RORC Caribbean 600, second at the 2024 Antigua 360, and second in the 2024 RORC Transatlantic Race (finishing just 2 hours 32 minutes behind Argo after five days of racing). For the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race starting from Lanzarote on January 11, Ned Collier Wakefield has teamed up with specialist navigator Miles Seddon, allowing the team to "make smarter, faster tactical decisions, especially during critical opening phases of the race." These exceptional results make Zoulou one of the most consistent and high-performing MOD70s on the global circuit.
