Yves Parlier's radical new 60ft catamaran is proving to be a real head-turner here in Plymouth. Launched in January this year, this new generation super-cat with its hydroplane, stepped hulls and twin rig is definitely going to be one to watch over the next few days. Although Parlier believes she has every chance of beating the other high-speed multihulls in her class, she has yet to be put to the test in anything above 20-30kts of wind. Commenting on her lack of testing in a full range of wind conditions prior to the Transat start, Parlier said: "Yes I am a bit worried because we have good preparation but we've not had much time to learn about the boat yet so I don't really know what to expect."

Designed primarily as a downwind flyer, Mediatis Region Aquitaine will also undoubtedly suffer on the generally upwind Transat course. According to Parlier although she's incredibly light on the helm and easy to manoeuvre, going upwind will be very tough. Parlier added: "She has good speed upwind but she's not really an upwind boat. Upwind on this boat is difficult because there's a lot of dynamic shock. Her optimum conditions is 25kts of wind on a broad reach, this is when she'll really show her true colours."

The idea of the stepped hulls is to reduce drag at speed. As the boat reaches 20kts of speed the shape of the foils (hulls) start to work and Parlier believes that in speeds above 40kts, this boat will have about four times less drag than a conventional trimaran. But there's always a price to pay. In this case, anything below 16kts of boatspeed, drag will be at a premium - worse than on conventional hulls.

According to Parlier, once she's on the plane downwind with the windward hull just flying, the boat is sailed on a leeward hull surface area of just 3sq m. "Because you're sailing on such a small area," added Parlier, "you can turn the boat easily and use the waves to surf. You control the lift in the hull by playing the main, this is where she's really great fun."

Probably the biggest downside to her glamorous downwind performance is 'wet factor' which is a direct result of the amount of water she shifts up on the plane. According to Parlier this is a quite a big issue because when she's really flying, visibility is poor and having sailing gear including a drysuit, headgear and goggles to withstand such conditions, is a priority.

There is no getting away from the fact that life on board Mediatis Region Aquitaine over the next couple of weeks will tough. Above decks there'll be no escape from the constant water blast while below, Parlier will have to make the most of the dark, claustrophobic, 'submarine-style' accommodation (the same in each hull) which comprises a scramble-in style bunk under the cockpit and a nav station/galley with barely any headroom.

Despite Parlier's obvious concerns about taking a new, untried super-cat on its race debut he reckons he's really looking forward to the race. "This is my fourth Transat and each time I've been here with a brand-new boat. The Transat is always my boats' first race. Everytime I begin with this race. I love it."

Yachting World, 29 May 2004