CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY RIVIERA RACING
Paving the way to a sustainable maritime future
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Newsletter - Nov 2025
This term, Riviera Racing has made waves both on and off the water! Our focus has been on expanding the Riviera Racing brand and sharing our mission for sustainable marine innovation.
Chasing the Tide
Ever heard that electricity and water don’t mix? Our students at Riviera Racing say otherwise.
Who We Are
Cambridge University Riviera Racing is a team of versatile students, each bringing a unique set of strengths to the table as we embark on a ground-breaking mission to design and build a catamaran racer to compete at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, is an international competition between pioneers in yachting, requiring competitors to test their zero-emissions creations in a series of races. The competition attracts the world's press to the races, with all eyes on the tech talks and industry pitches.
Our Vision
At Riviera Racing, we are conscious of the need for dedicated focus on developing highly performant zero-emissions powertrains and intend to demonstrate the viability of alternate fuels.
The Boat
Our most recent boat Aurora, competed at the MEBC 2025. Built for performance and robustness, Aurora features:
- Lightweight Steering - Our rope-pulley steering system replaces traditional steel cables, significantly reducing weight while maintaining responsive handling.
- High Discharge Battery - Our 9kWh custom battery, built with energy dense prismatic LFP blade cells, improves discharge rates and safety.
- Custom Propeller - Designed in-house, our propeller is tailored to the speeds of our electric motor to optimize efficiency and acceleration under racing conditions.
- Modular Case - Our modular body, developed with CPCases, serves as our battery enclosure. This modularity enables adjustments to weight distribution.
- Electric Propulsion - Partnering with Lynch Motors, we debut the Bluefin II electric outboard, delivering significant advancements in both weight reduction and power output.
Our Concept for 2026
For our 2025-26 build cycle, we plan to build upon the successes of Aurora and bring several innovations to our boat, including:
- Hydrofoils - The incorporation of hydrofoils allows our boat to be lifted out of the water, reducing the drag experienced by the hulls
- Solar Panels - Our Photovoltaic Cells using MPPT technology will help achieve the highest level of charging efficiency and safety, with 500 W of increased power
- Smarter Software - New and improved software will allow for innovative capabilities, including race strategy prediction
Industry Partners
We are proud to collaborate with leading industry partners who share our vision for sustainable maritime innovation. These partnerships provide invaluable support, expertise, and resources that enable us to push the boundaries of electric racing technology and advance the future of clean maritime transportation.
Meet the Team
Behind our innovative racing vessel lies a dedicated team of passionate engineers, designers, and visionaries. United by our commitment to clean maritime innovation and competitive excellence, each team member contributes their unique skills and perspectives to prove that electric propulsion can deliver both performance and sustainability.
Gereon Leckebusch
Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer
Leela Rao
Media and Press Lead
Get in Touch
Phone
+44 7948 115232Address
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK