The object
Alain Thébault directed the design of Hydroptère, a foiling multihull that treated sailboat performance as an aircraft-like lift problem. The manufactured craft crossed the fifty-knot barrier under sail, making hydrofoil technology a visible, consequential path for high-speed marine transportation and later electric-watercraft concepts.
What Alain did
Directed the design of Hydroptère, a multihull sailing craft using foils to lift its hulls clear of the water at speed.
Why it matters
Hydroptère set a 51.36-knot sailing speed record and is described as the world's first multihulled hydrofoil in coverage of Thébault's later work.
Living-status check
Le Point reported on Thébault's legal action and SeaBubbles projects in August 2025, positive evidence he was alive and publicly active in 2025.