The La Roche-Posay Racing Team has unveiled its new livery for the AC75, marking a significant milestone as it returns to the water in Lorient after its last sail in Barcelona. This is the third AC75 to be relaunched by a team competing in the 38th America’s Cup, reflecting the team’s ambition to excel in one of the most prestigious sailing competitions.
The boat now features the azure blue and white colours of its title sponsor, La Roche-Posay, symbolising a partnership focused on science, innovation, and performance. The relaunch also represents a historic moment for France, as it is the first time a single French challenger has competed in two consecutive America’s Cup campaigns, showcasing its determination to compete against the world’s leading teams.
The new livery was revealed just three months after La Roche-Posay joined as a sponsor. This collaboration aims to use the campaign as a testing ground for the brand’s sun protection and skin repair products, which will face the extreme conditions of high-performance sailing.
The technical evolution of the AC75 is notable, with adaptations made to comply with new competition rules, including a reduction of crew from eight to five sailors, and a redesigned energy system. Measuring 75 feet in length, the AC75 is a cutting-edge racing yacht capable of exceeding speeds of 50 knots through its advanced foiling capabilities.
Antoine Carraz, Technical Director of the La Roche-Posay Racing Team, expressed the significance of the relaunch: “A launch is always a special moment. For months, we’ve been working on plans and systems, and on the day the boat returns to the water, all these elements must work together. It is both the culmination of an initial phase and the start of the real validation work.”
The new design retains the main hull while radically transforming the internal systems, including control systems, weight distribution, and crew ergonomics to meet the revised regulations. Carraz noted, “Externally, the public will recognise the 2024 boat. But technically, this is not simply a refurbishment. We’ve had to rethink its internal architecture and the way the crew interacts with the vessel.”
The change in crew number necessitated a complete reorganisation of the onboard roles and the design of the bridge and cockpits, ensuring that each crew member has immediate access to critical information for steering and sail control.
Additionally, the previous use of cyclors for hydraulic power generation has been eliminated, with battery power now taking precedence, requiring a complete overhaul of the electrical systems.
The AC75 collects vast amounts of data in real-time, allowing sailors to make precise adjustments while maintaining human control, as per the competition rules. This balance between technological sophistication and user-friendly operation is critical for performance at high speeds.
The first sea trials will focus on safety and reliability, allowing the team to validate systems before pushing for maximum performance. As the team prepares for the 38th America’s Cup in Naples in 2027, the relaunch of the AC75 is just the start of a rigorous training and testing phase aimed at refining the boat’s performance through continuous feedback and analysis.
The La Roche-Posay Racing Team’s campaign not only aims for competitive success but also fosters job creation and economic benefits within the region, showcasing the collaborative effort of engineers, sailors, and partners dedicated to mastering this complex racing machine.
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About La Roche-Posay Racing Team
La Roche-Posay Racing Team is the French Challenger competing in the America’s Cup, the 38th edition of which will take place in Naples in 2027.
Supported by an experienced team both on the water and ashore, skipper and pilot Quentin Delapierre leads a highly regarded team that embodies the excellence and audacity of French sailing on the world stage.
The team is operated by K-Challenge, France’s leading sports-tech company dedicated to high-performance competitive sailing, managed by Stéphan Kandler and Bruno Dubois. Driven by a forward-looking vision, the company actively promotes diversity, the development of female athletes in competitive sailing, and the training of young talent.
This sporting and social drive is backed by the support of an exceptional title partner, La Roche-Posay (a L’Oréal Group brand), alongside the strong commitment of a collective of official partners and supporters.
