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THE MAXI BANQUE POPULAIRE XI, A GIANT DECIPHERED
He will be at the helm of a giant. Armel, who hasn't missed any outings at sea with Banque Populaire XI since her launch in April 2021, has racked up the miles to take ownership of the Maxi trimaran. He deciphers its main characteristics, seen from the inside.
THE FLIGHT
“One of the strengths of Banque Populaire XI is its ability to take off early and for a long time. The Maxi trimaran flies very high above the water, which helps to avoid contact with the waves. The foils are much larger than those installed on Banque Populaire IX and they are designed to be raised and lowered depending on the conditions, and whether or not power is needed. When the conditions are engaged, the boat will be able to raise its foils to regulate its speed. are much larger than those installed on Banque Populaire IX and they are designed to be raised and lowered depending on the conditions, and whether or not power is needed. When the conditions are engaged, the boat will have the possibility of raising its to regulate its speed.
There are 5 steps, from accelerating the boat to allow take-off to keeping the platform stable above the water. The Maxi Banque Populaire takes off in the same way as an airplane thanks to the appendages that we have that work like wings.
If necessary, we have, with the Team, designed an additional foil. It allows us to be reactive in the event of damage to one of the two that equips the boat. The advantage is that it can be installed either on the left or on the right. ?
AERODYNAMISM
“There has been a particularly substantial amount of work done to improve the aerodynamics. Inspired by the boats of the last America's Cup and based on our knowledge, we have tried to reduce aerodynamic drag as much as possible. To achieve this, the cap is extended from the front arm to the mainsheet bar and extends almost 12 meters in length. This has also allowed the center of gravity to be lowered, which also helps to optimize aerodynamics. ? and spans almost 12 meters in length. This has also allowed the center of gravity to be lowered, which also helps to optimize aerodynamics. ?
ENHANCED SECURITY
“We have worked hard to strengthen safety on board. To do so, the front arm has been reinforced and fitted with a double structure. As for the bow and the floats, it is equipped with fiber optics: thus, in the event of possible damage, we are alerted on board and able to react as quickly as possible. The boat is also equipped with three cameras to avoid collisions with UFOs and an ultrasonic transmitter in the drift to ward off marine mammals. ? to keep marine mammals away. ?
THE SIMULATOR
“Our objective, offshore, is not to reach top speeds but to have the highest average speed for as long as possible. To achieve this, we collect as much data as possible at sea but also virtually thanks to the simulator. It is a tool that is made up of a screen and a steering wheel that allows us to recreate all the navigation situations and the various climatic conditions that we may encounter offshore. The configuration of the sails and appendages is tested there in all conditions. This allows us to know the most efficient configurations and to save precious time on adjustments when we are offshore. It is a particularly valuable tool for us, it has allowed us for a year and a half to save considerable time in our choices and our preparation. ?
THE NOISE
“Inevitably, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI is noisy. There are the whistles of the carbon, the impact of the foils and the daggerboards dragging in the water. But this noise is reassuring: it allows us to constantly know the right tempo in terms of speed and sensations. It gives us benchmarks, like a Formula 1 driver with the sound of his single-seater. To attenuate it when we sleep, we use small ear plugs. ? and daggerboards dragging in the water. But this noise is reassuring: it allows us to constantly know the right tempo in terms of speed and sensations. It gives us benchmarks, like a Formula 1 driver with the sound of his single-seater. To attenuate it when we sleep, we use small earplugs. ?
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