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END OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE MAXI BANQUE POPULAIRE IX PROJECT
Three months after a capsize off Morocco, the Maxi Banque Populaire IX has left the Multiplast yard in Vannes, no less than 10 weeks after entering for structural damage repairs. He was transferred to the base of Team Banque Populaire in Lorient where the second stage of the project will take place.
The first step related to the repair of the structure was completed and thus allowed the transfer of the boat to the Team Banque Populaire yard, at the Keroman Base in Lorient. It is there that will continue in the six proc pm groin weeks following the work. There will now be no respite for the team of Armel Le Cléac'h who must now reassemble all the elements of the various systems, after expertise: on-board equipment, electronics, computers, hydraulics, appendices, while in parallel, the company Lorima activates on the mast and the boom.
The timely repair of the structure of the Maxi Banque Populaire IX was made possible thanks to the effective association between, on the one hand, the members of the Banque Populaire Team working under the direction of its director Ronan Lucas and on the other hand the Yann Penfornis, director of the Multiplast shipyard.
The upcoming appointment is scheduled in September for the caulking operation, before resuming workouts Armel Le Cléac'h and his qualification for the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe. The programs leader clearly shows his will to leave nothing for an optimal preparation of this legendary race!
Armel Le Cléac'h , of Maxi Banque Populaire IX:
"For the whole team, it's a relief to see the boat come back in good condition, at home. It is nice to see the boat without holes, without carbon tips protruding. This is a big step to overcome for navigations and the recovery of the boat in late summer. The Maxi Banque Populaire IX will resume form in the coming weeks. We are all looking forward to going back to sea and back on the preparation train for the Route du Rhum ".
Ronan Lucas, Team Banque Populaire director:
"We are on the right track. We have the impression that the capsize is behind us, that it is a bad memory. The timing was tight but he was respected. The boat is fully repaired in terms of composite structure, the platform is healthy but there is still work.
Gautier Levisse, member of the Banque Populaire Team's research department:
"The two-and-a-half months at the Multiplast site have identified and then repaired the structural damage on the platform of the Maxi Banque Populaire IX (the three hulls, the two arms and the helm). The main impacted area was on the back third of from the boat, from the foot of the mast to the back arm. We have reconstituted the boat in the rules of the art. Another big issue was the rebuilding of the protective cap that had been destroyed by 90% during capsizing. It's a clean room on the boat. It was necessary to rebuild a mold manufacture the part and replace " .
