Launch On The Horizon For Banque Populaire XI

[Photoboy]

© Jean-Baptiste Epron


Since April 2019, a total of nearly 200 people have been actively involved in the creation of Banque Populaire XI. We contacted Ronan Lucas, Team Director, to take stock of the construction and modifications made to Armel Le Cléac'h's future Ultimate…

A launch scheduled for spring 2021
The construction of Banque Populaire XI - a VPLP plan produced by CDK Technologies - has entered its final phase: all the parts (central hull, floats, nacelle, listening bar, etc.) are assembled, the cap is in place like the main ones fittings. If there are still painting and some details to be finalized, Armel Le Cléac'h's new frame should be launched between mid-April and early May. On the design side, the arms, floats and central hull are identical to those of Banque Populaire IX. Only the position of the arms at their junction with the central shell and their sizing with the addition of a structural front box to avoid breaking everything in the event of an impact were reviewed. As a reminder, it is the rupture of the arm following a collision with a UFO that had caused Armel to capsize on the last Route du Rhum ...



Lorient, CDK shipyard, construction of the future Maxi trimaran Ultim Banque Populaire


An even more aerial Ultimate
As for the foils, they will be twice as large - the design office used thousands of records from the former Banque Pop IX to refine its calculations - to stick to the even more aerial program of the new maxi-trimaran . The center of gravity of the boat has also been brought closer to the foils to facilitate take-off but at the same time navigate in Archimedean mode when the sea conditions are unsuitable for flying in complete safety… The foils will be adjusted manually, via a hydraulic circuit set. under pressure by a coffee grinder, to stay in the nails of the Class Ultim 32/23. In the same logic, there is no question at this stage of slaving the carrier planes.

Skipper's words:
“I mainly worked on the design of the giant trimaran at the start with the architects, engineers and the design office. I regularly go to the yard to take stock with the team on progress, ergonomics, sails, giving my opinion but also my desires. The rest of the time, I do physical preparation work to be sharp because the Ultims are fabulous but demanding! ”

“A few weeks after the launch and the first tests, we will leave for a tour in the South-West and in the Mediterranean to meet the regional Banques Populaires, before returning at the end of July by making a round trip Atlantic, without doubt towards the West Indies. This is the time essential for the development of such a machine in order to be ready for the first race of Banque Populaire XI: the Transat Jacques Vabre from Le Havre on October 24, 2021.






Length: 32 m.
Width: 23 m.
Air draft: 35 m.
Weight: nc.
Sail area upwind: 350 m2.
Sail area downwind: 600 m2.
Materials: sand. carbon / Kevlar / Normex.
Architects: VPLP.
Site: CDK Technologies,
Fiber Mechanics for the central hull,
C3 Tech for the foils and Multiplast for the floats.

[Photoboy]

End Of April Expected Launch Of Ultim Banque Populaire XI



MAXI BANQUE POPULAIRE XI ENTERS ITS FINAL PHASE
A titanic job for a future giant. At the CDK Technologies shipyard in Lorient, there is excitement. Armel, Ronan and the Banque Populaire Team are busy around the new 32-meter-long Ultim which is gradually revealing its shapes. While the work to be done remains substantial, the launch is scheduled for the end of April. What to start dreaming, already, of the first flights.







"An exciting construction" - Ronan

The Maxi Banque Populaire XI construction site is continuing according to the established timings. “ We see the boat taking shape before our eyes, it is even more impressive than we imagined, ” enthuses Ronan, director of Team Banque Populaire. “ In large sites like this, there are bound to be small adjustments to be made and that is also what makes construction so exciting. It requires all the energy of a team to find the right solutions to deal with small annoyances. There are no major concerns to deplore and we are committed to respecting the schedule with one objective: the launch of the Ultim at the end of April. "

Gradually, the future giant is revealed. The big pieces of this huge puzzle have been put together. From now on, it is possible to understand its dimensions and the architectural choices made. “The entire composite and structural part is finished,” specifies Gautier Levisse, head of the team Banque Populaire research department. The nets were set up last week. You can imagine what the boat will look like once in the water ”.












“Demanding of ourselves ” - Gautier Levisse

While the investment of Banque Populaire teams has been significant for several months, there is still significant work to be done and everyone is aware of it. “ Within the team, we are very demanding of ourselves. We want to launch a trimaran of impeccable quality. We also know that the time spent on the site is time saved once the boat is in the water, ”underlines Gautier Levisse.

The most visible work still to be done concerns the assembly of the appendages. The float rudders will be installed next week. It will then be necessary to implement the . About the , it will be installed once the boat is in the water. " In addition, we will have to focus on the hydraulic, electronic and computer wiring, in order to make the boat fully functional ", summarizes Ronan Lucas. Elements of will also have to be put in place and the essential “aero” part has yet to be finalized. A lot of work before finally being able to take advantage of the majestic flights of the Maxi Banque Populaire XI.

"A touch of impatience" - Armel

Armel, serene and sharp, does not hide his enthusiasm and even speaks of " a touch of impatience ". The savored: "we have seen the boat so much on plans, we have imagined it so much in our heads ... There, it becomes real, it is very pleasant for the whole team". For several months now, the sailor has been actively preparing for the launch. “ I feel good and physically, I am in an upward phase. This is important because from the first sailings you will have to be in good shape and be present. "

[Dutch Rudder]

Don't break it Armel!