ALTEN is supporting the Zephir Project in its attempt to break the world sailing speed record by providing its expertise in advanced simulation and aero-hydrodynamic analysis. This collaboration illustrates how technological innovation can enhance sporting performance while opening new perspectives for tomorrow’s eco-mobility.

The Zephir Project brings together champions, engineers, and industrial partners around one objective: pushing the limits of sailing speed through a rigorous scientific approach. ALTEN, an engineering and technology consulting group, contributes by providing its advanced simulation and prototyping capabilities.

A Multidisciplinary Team Driving Performance

Marc Amerigo has assembled complementary profiles from elite sport and engineering. Antoine Albeau, world windsurfing champion and holder of the speed record at 53.49 knots (99.06 km/h), works alongside renowned designers such as Martin Fisher, America’s Cup winner, and engineers specialized in fluid dynamics.

The innovations being developed are intended to be transferable across all board sports and to find applications in the wind and marine energy sectors.

ALTEN’s Expertise in Simulation and Prototyping

ALTEN conducts aero- and hydrodynamic structural analyses of equipment using 3D modeling and wind tunnel testing at the Institut Aérotechnique (IAT). Antoine Albeau states: “The wind tunnel results radically changed my perception of sailing.”

Beyond its technical contribution, ALTEN helps structure the project’s ecosystem by facilitating the integration of industrial and scientific partners. This collaboration enables the validation of immediate innovations, such as hydrofoils or biomimetic sails, while preparing future applications for eco-mobility.

Sustainability and Future Outlook

The Zephir Project incorporates an environmental dimension through recyclable and reusable materials. Marc Amerigo explains: “In a context of rapid technical obsolescence, we must give resources a second life.”

The project’s advances foreshadow solutions applicable to maritime transport, drones, and renewable energy production systems. By combining applied research with real-world validation, the project demonstrates that it is possible to unite sporting excellence, industrial innovation, and environmental responsibility. ALTEN thus positions the Zephir Project as a technological demonstrator whose insights can benefit other sectors.

ALTEN’s Vision for Sports Innovation

The Zephir Project shows how engineering can help humans push the limits of speed. But this is not the only arena where ALTEN applies its expertise.

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, engineers from ALTEN Labs worked closely with elite cyclists, using 3D scanning and aerodynamic analysis to build digital twins for each athlete. Every detail — from helmet shape to suit seams — was optimized to chase the fractions of a second that define a medal.

At the same time, ALTEN’s data specialists leveraged AI algorithms to analyze athlete emotions, predict fatigue risks, and optimize team strategies. These same technologies are also applied to urban mobility systems and large-scale crowd management.

Why does ALTEN continue investing in sports innovation? Because elite sports and advanced industries share the same engineering mindset: under extreme conditions, performance breakthroughs rely on simulation, data, and continuous iteration.

The methods, algorithms, and material innovations validated through sports projects are already being transferred into automotive, aerospace, energy, and smart manufacturing.

From the racetrack to the open sea, ALTEN continues to push the boundaries of performance through engineering.

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Facing similar performance challenges?

The fluid simulation, structural analysis, material optimization, and rapid prototyping capabilities behind this project are at the core of ALTEN’s Mechanical & Materials Engineering expertise.

From aerospace and automotive to rail and energy, we help clients optimize performance, cost, and reliability under complex engineering constraints.