Energy Class · Team Profile

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY RIVIERA RACING

🇬🇧 Cambridge University

Riviera Racing is a University of Cambridge student community united by a drive for sustainable change. Now in its third year at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, the team has evolved from a startup project into a performance-focused racing outfit, bringing together engineers, designers and project leaders to prove that clean maritime technology can be both fast and efficient.

The team

Meet the team

Riviera Racing is a University of Cambridge student community united by a drive for sustainable change. Now in our third year at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, we have evolved from a startup project into a performance-focused racing team. We are a collaborative group of engineers, designers and project leaders proving that clean maritime tech can be fast and efficient. By testing our designs in a fast paced, real-world environment, we bridge the gap between academia and real-world innovation, fostering a place where passionate students can develop the skills needed to create the future of renewable energy.

University

Cambridge University

Country

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Based in

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Class

Energy Class

Racing number

N°5

Cambridge University Riviera Racing
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY RIVIERA RACING
The boat

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY RIVIERA RACING

The 2026 project marks our transition from initial builds to a performance-focused racing platform. First, we are developing custom propeller geometries using computational design software to improve propulsion efficiency. Second, the boat features space-grade solar panels integrated with an MPPT converter system to optimise energy harvesting and power management. Finally, we have overhauled our software and electronics to increase modularity, reducing external connections by using swappable microcontroller boards. We are also building a digital twin of the boat to assist the pilot with real-time decision-making. Our objective for 2026 is to field a reliable, solar-electric catamaran that demonstrates how engineering optimisation can drive sustainable maritime innovation.
Propulsion

Custom propeller geometries (computational design)

Electronics

Modular, swappable microcontroller boards

Software

Digital twin (real-time pilot assist)

energy Class · 2026

Follow Riviera Racing team at the Challenge

Riviera Racing competes in the Energy Class at the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, 7–11 July 2026 in Port Hercule.