Class40Launched2013

Optimus Prime

Manuard-designed Mach 40 Class40 launched in 2013 as GDF Suez, later Imerys then Imerys Clean Energy under Phil Sharp, then ACI; it now races as Optimus Prime.Former names: GDF Suez, Zetra, Imerys, Imerys Clean Energy, Oceans Lab, Project Insomnia, Croatia Full of Life, Croatia, ACI

Class40 rankingPlace in the class's points ranking at the current season; tied on equal points.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 27thof 94

Sillage pointsPoints ranking computed per class: the winner scores the base of the race's tier (1,000, 600, 350 or 200), the others a share by place and fleet size, a retirement 5 %. Four seasons count, weighted 100, 75, 50 and 25 %.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 559pts

StartsRaces started in finished editions. Non-starters (did not start, withdrawn) are not counted.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 43

WinsFirst place in the division: same edition, same class.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 16

PodiumsTop three in the division: same edition, same class.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 28

WinsFirst place in the division: same edition, same class.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary · PodiumsTop three in the division: same edition, same class.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 16 · 28

Boats

Class40Launched2013

Optimus Prime

Class40 rankingPlace in the class's points ranking at the current season; tied on equal points.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 27thof 94

Sillage pointsPoints ranking computed per class: the winner scores the base of the race's tier (1,000, 600, 350 or 200), the others a share by place and fleet size, a retirement 5 %. Four seasons count, weighted 100, 75, 50 and 25 %.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 559pts

StartsRaces started in finished editions. Non-starters (did not start, withdrawn) are not counted.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 43

WinsFirst place in the division: same edition, same class.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 16

PodiumsTop three in the division: same edition, same class.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 28

WinsFirst place in the division: same edition, same class.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary · PodiumsTop three in the division: same edition, same class.Computed on 10 Nov 2026.See in the glossary: 16 · 28

Identity card

LaunchedThe moment a new boat touches the water for the first time.See in the glossary: 2013
Sail numberThe identifier printed on the mainsail: a country code followed by a number.See in the glossary: 130
GenerationBuild period: boats of the same generation often share the same technical choices.See in the glossary: 2004–2014

Design

Designer(s)The designer of the boat: hull shape, appendages, structure, sail plan.See in the glossary: Sam Manuard
DesignThe drawing a boat is built from; sister-ships share the same design.See in the glossary: Mach 40 (Sam Manuard, 2013)
ShipyardThe company that builds the boat, or carries out major work on it.See in the glossary: JPS Production

Operation

SponsorsA company or institution that funds a boat, a team or a skipper in exchange for visibility.See in the glossary: Title sponsorThe company that gives its name to the boat or team.See in the glossaryImerys2016 – 2019
1 earlier
Engie2013 – 2014
OwnersThe person or organisation that owns the boat, which does not necessarily race it.See in the glossary: Ivica Kostelićsince 2021

Biography

This Mach 40 series Class40, a Samuel Manuard design built by JPS Production in La Trinité-sur-Mer, was launched in March 2013 in GDF Suez colours for Sébastien Rogues. In its first season it won a string of races (Grand Prix Guyader, Armen Race, Record SNSM, Les Sables-Horta-Les Sables, Rolex Fastnet Race) and took the 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre into Itajaí with Rogues and Fabien Delahaye. After a six-week yard period in early 2014 to ease solo sailing, Rogues retired from the 2014 Route du Rhum with technical problems.

In 2015 the boat became Zetra for Eduardo Penido, finishing sixth in the Transat Jacques Vabre. In 2016 Phil Sharp took over under the colours of Imerys: third in the Transat anglaise, then the Cowes–Dinard crossing record late in the year. In 2017 he won the Normandy Channel Race, the Grand Prix Guyader and the Class40 championship, and placed third in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Pablo Santurde.

In 2018, as Imerys Clean Energy, Sharp again won the Normandy Channel Race and the Class40 championship, set the crewed Round Britain and Ireland record (under 40 ft) and finished third in the Class40 Route du Rhum.

In 2021 former Croatian alpine skier Ivica Kostelić bought the boat with the Route du Rhum in mind. It raced under several names (including Croatia Full of Life, then Croatia) before taking the name ACI in 2022.

Technical specs

Hull materialWhat the hull is made of: carbon, glass fibre, composite, aluminium, wood or steel.See in the glossary: Glass fibreA composite material heavier and cheaper than carbon, common in production boats.See in the glossary

Hull lengthLength of the hull alone, without the bowsprit or protruding appendages.See in the glossary: 12.19m

Max beamMaximum width of the boat; for a multihull, from one float to the other.See in the glossary: 4.5m

DraftHow deep the boat sits: from the waterline to the lowest point of the keel.See in the glossary: 3m

Air draftHeight of the boat above the water: from the waterline to the top of the mast.See in the glossary: 19m

DisplacementThe mass of the boat ready to sail, equal to the mass of water it displaces.See in the glossary: 4,500kg

Upwind sail areaSail area carried when the boat sails towards the wind: mainsail and headsail.See in the glossary: 115m²

Downwind sail areaSail area carried with the wind on the beam or from behind, with the big headsails.See in the glossary: 240m²

Latest results

Race record of Optimus Prime
Race	Boat name	Skipper	Result	Elapsed time
Rolex Middle Sea Race2026	Optimus Prime	Matic Vrecko	2nd	3 d 14 h 55 min
Cannes Malta Race2026	Optimus Prime	Matic Vrecko	1st	4 d 10 h 42 min
Rolex Middle Sea Race2023	ACI	Ivica Kostelić	1st	4 d 03 h 28 min
Palermo - Montecarlo2023	ACI	Ivica Kostelić	2nd	3 d 11 h 58 min
Massilia Cup Offshore2023	ACI	Fabijan Roic Ivica Kostelić	2nd	3 d 10 h 59 min

2nd
Rolex Middle Sea Race 2026
Matic Vrecko
1st
Cannes Malta Race 2026
Matic Vrecko
1st
Rolex Middle Sea Race 2023
Ivica Kostelić
ACI
2nd
Palermo - Montecarlo 2023
Ivica Kostelić
ACI
2nd
Massilia Cup Offshore 2023
Fabijan Roic Ivica Kostelić
ACI

See all 43 results

Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime

Identity card

Design

Operation

Highlights

Best results

Biography

Technical specs

Latest results

Identity card

Design

Operation

Highlights

Best results

Biography

Technical specs

Latest results