A partnership that bolsters the Allen By XPO team, which already includes the 49er crew of Erwan Fisher and Clément Péquin, Moth-Foil world champion Enzo Ballanger, and the IRC Stamina.
A top-class crew
The crew, comprising Matthieu Salomon, Franck Cammas, Valentin Bellet and Solune Robert, already boasts an impressive track record, including three consecutive titles on the ETF26 circuit (2023, 2024 & 2025), the 2025 European runner-up title, as well as victories in the Tour de France à la Voile, participation in the America’s Cup, European championships and, of course, Franck Cammas’s impressive track record (Volvo Ocean Race, Transat Jacques Vabre, etc.).
It is therefore an experienced crew that has decided to optimise the boat with ALLEN equipment, complemented by ANTAL rings, ROPEYE textile padeyes and PROtect Tape protective adhesives.
Crédit photo : Clément GERBAUD / QAPTUR / EFT26 series
What is ETF26?
This foiling boat, inspired by America’s Cup yachts, can reach speeds of up to 38 knots.
The International Circuit comprises five competitions each year, combining performance, high standards, strategy and high speed, serving as a stepping stone to the Sail-GP. It features 6 crews , including top-level sailors such as numerous Olympic medallists and many world champions from dinghy sailing and offshore racing.
Crédit photo : Clément GERBAUD / QAPTUR / EFT26 series
Matthieu Salomon – Extensive experience across a range of media
With a Master’s degree in Marketing and Business, Matthieu Salomon pursued a career as a top-level athlete alongside his studies and became a professional sailor in 2016
Having first become European J80 Champion, SB20 World Champion and winner of the Tour de France à la Voile as skipper, he then decided to sail for the biggest teams (SODEBO, SPINDRIFT, etc.).
For the past four years, he has been leading his ETF26 project with the aim of winning the championship title following three victories in previous seasons.
Crédit photo : Clément GERBAUD / QAPTUR / EFT26 series
They says :
Matthieu SALOMON after the first regata with ALLEN blocks
" We discovered the ALLEN range on the ETF26 and were blown away by the quality and aesthetics of the hardware. We were delighted to have this new partnership with the introduction of the new foils: The loads on the boat, the lines and the hardware have increased considerably with this new version of the boat, and having these blocks has been a true performance factor. We really pushed the boat hard and the blocks under load didn't budge, which gives us full confidence in the equipment. Every breakage is costly in terms of points in our championship, which is why, thanks to XPO and Allen, we are in the best possible conditions to concede the minimum of points to our competitors this season! Thank you to the whole team that supports us and for the relationship of trust we have built together!"
Ben HARDEN - ALLEN
" We’re proud to be supporting the team as they push the limits of performance. Hearing how our hardware is delivering under such high loads, and contributing to their confidence on the water, is exactly what drives our product development. We’re looking forward to building on this partnership and supporting their campaign throughout the season."
Xavier Phélipon - Directeur XPO
" Once again, the partnership initiated by XPO with its suppliers Allen, PROtect Tapes and Ropeye appears to be yielding excellent results with the ETF 26 ‘Entreprises du Morbihan’.
Our shared commitment with XPO, Allen, PROtect Tapes and Ropeye to push the equipment to its limits has, through this partnership, provided a wealth of insights rarely achieved before."
Matteo SERICANO - Ropeye Technical Director
"Thrilled to join XPO, Allen, PROtect Tapes supporting the ETF26 Entreprises du Morbihan. Seeing Ropeye perform under extreme conditions with the new foils gives us invaluable real-world feedback.
Ready to push the limits together this season! "
ALLEN becomes the boat’s main equipment supplier
Following discussions with, among others, Erwan Fischer and Clément Péquin (49er world champion), he decided to contact us to propose a partnership to equip the boat with ALLEN, the leading British brand for dinghy sailing, as well as to benefit from ANTAL’s benchmark low-friction blocks, ROPEYE pad-eyes with textile anchors, and our protective adhesives from the Italian brand PROtect Tape.
A first race in Spain
The first race took place last week in Spain at Mar Menor. The crew finished in 3rd place. A mixed result for the crew despite a consistently strong performance throughout the week.
The ETF 26 has undergone significant technical development this year (rudder lifts, new foils and a new set of sails), which now allows it to fly at all speeds but requires the crew to adapt.
Next round of the circuit in June at Lake Garda
The whole XPO team is delighted to welcome a new crew to the ALLEN By XPO team and to benefit from the feedback of these experienced sailors to improve and develop new products.
