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RECOVERY TIME FOR TEAM BANQUE POPULAIRE
If the activity of the Team did not stop during the confinement, with in particular the monitoring of the construction of the Ultim Banque Populaire XI, the recovery is accelerating this week. The IMOCA by Clarisse Crémer and the Figaro 3 by Armel Le Cléac'h have been relaunched and training should be able to resume very soon.
Clarisse Crémer: "Both very happy and concentrated"
Containment was active for Clarisse Crémer, skipper of the IMOCA Banque Populaire X. "I worked on the weather, the boat's polar, the navigation software ... I also did a lot of sports even if I admit that I had a little bit of slack at the end" , says Clarisse, who experienced the release of her boat on Thursday, May 7, as a form of relief. “It was a nice time to see the boat in the water and find the team. This return to normal has done a lot of good, ”she says. Banque Populaire X has regained its element at the end of a project essentially based on reliability, even if some small improvements have been made.
Tuesday May 12, Clarisse Crémer was able to make her first outing off Lorient, accompanied by Pierre-Emmanuel Hérissé (technical director of the team) and Yann Courtois ( rigging manager). " I hadn't sailed on my IMOCA since my solo transatlantic race at the beginning of December,” says Clarisse. “I was feeling a little apprehensive, but I quickly realized that I was not lost on board. The sensations were good for this recovery. I am both very happy to rediscover the pleasure of navigation, and concentrated in the perspective of the Vendée Globe because there is still a lot of work."
In the days and weeks to come, Clarisse will reclaim the boat and she hopes to be able to sail long solo. The IMOCA calendar has been turned upside down, but two events remain on the program to this day: a Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne race (departure scheduled for July 4) and of course the Vendée Globe (kick-off on November 8). “Uncertainty is difficult to manage mentally. So I prepare as if these races were going to take place. I need specific objectives to put maximum energy into my projects, ”underlines Clarisse.
Armel Le Cléac'h: “Play to win on the Solitaire du Figaro! "
Like Clarisse Cremer, Armel Le Cléac'h lived an active confinement and has not had time to get bored. That said, his desire to sail is very strong. Monday, May 11, he released the Figaro 3 Banque Populaire at Port-la-Forêt with the préparer Arnaud Hébert. Armel hopes to be able to complete the first navigations as soon as possible, once the authorizations have been clarified. "I am impatient to go to train after several months of interruption, " he confirms. " I sailed a lot in double with Erwan Le Roux last winter. We have worked efficiently and I intend to put all of this into practice in the coming weeks. Last year, I was in the discovery phase of the Figaro 3. This year, I plan to go more into the ils of the boat, to tweak all the small adjustments, all the performance parameters. "
After the postponement of the Transat AG2R, which he had to compete with Erwan Le Roux, Armel now has only one objective in mind: the Solitaire du Figaro, whose launch is scheduled for August 30 in Baie de Saint-Brieuc. " We all hope that this event will be able to take place as planned, because it is sportingly interesting and there is a significant economic activity which results from it, " said Armel. “Personally, my goal will be to win. Last year, I finished in 10th place. Go from 10th to 1st: I have a good step to take "
Ronan Lucas: "We will be ready on D-Day"
Resumption of activity in the premises of Team Banque Populaire in Lorient is done in strict compliance with health rules, with part of the team remaining in telework. "It's a whole organization to adapt, " explains Ronan Lucas, team director. “Everyone comes back to work with great desire and enthusiasm. It feels good to see the IMOCA and the Figaro 3 in the water and getting into the real world of sailing. We are looking to the future and are in working order for the various upcoming deadlines. We will be ready on D-Day and if fate decides otherwise, we will adapt because public health is essential. "
