The first owner of the Lift 45
Xavier Bellouard had Maxitudebuilt. It is the first example of the Lift 45, designed by Marc Lombard and launched by SR Structures shipyard (Lymington, UK) in mid-2025. On land, he is co-founder and CEO of ActiveViam, a fintech software publisher based in London. At sea, he sails with his family crew, including his son Alexandre.
An assumed scow hull design
Before the Lift 45, Xavier sailed on a Pogo 12.50 — already with a scow bow. Moving to a 45-footer designed by Lombard on the same principle of reversed chines with wide bilges is not a gamble but the continuation of an architectural choice. Having the first hull of a model built remains a special commitment: the owner bears the brunt 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, Maxitudelogged over 12,000 nautical miles. The program included several RORC classics (Fastnet, Middle Sea Race) and the transatlantic race, all in crewed configuration. In the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, Maxitudewas the first IRC One boat to pass the Fastnet Rock, about 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, about 30 minutes ahead of Moana (Marten 49).
- Rolex Middle Sea Race 2025: participation (started 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 in IRC).
