Vigo (Pontevedra)
Updated:10/05/2022 14:03h
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The Ultim 23/32 «Banque Populaire XI» has returned to the water after being in the shipyard during the past winter. During this time, the team led by Ronan Lucas has been working intensely on optimizing the maxi trimaran for the next Route du Rhum transoceanic regatta (Saint-Malo – Guadeloupe) in November.
Better appendages and improved cockpit ergonomics for solo sailing. “After a season of learning and fine-tuning the boat, this year we have focused on performance with the aim of being competitive and fighting for victory. The fact that we sailed small and A Two last year with Kevin Escoffier allowed us to figure out how to optimize the ergonomics and operation of the boat and put together a list of precise tasks to be done”commented Armel Le Cléac´h.
Ronan Lucas, Banque Populaire team manager, describes the work carried out as a complete upgrade of the entire multihull: “From the bow to the stern of the boat, we have reviewed every aspect in detail to make everything work better, to be more efficient in terms of weight, aerodynamics and hydrodynamics”.
These developments are based on two lines of work: “… the road map determined at the beginning of the project (which aimed, in particular, to adapt the ship to solo navigation with a view to the Rum Route), as well as the observations and analyzes carried out throughout the first season, after having sailed the equivalent of a trip around the world in accumulated miles. “Having sailed small and double-handed last year with Kevin Escoffier has allowed us to figure out how to optimize the ergonomics and operation of the boat and come up with a precise to-do list”Armel commented.
The improvements made are intended to increase the performance of the «Banque Populaire XI» by 5 or 10%, which would mean increasing its speed between 2 or 3 knots. In the first miles of training he has easily exceeded 44 knots of speed.
Throughout the season he will be accompanied by Sébastien Josse, who has solid experience; providing valuable external insight by focusing on the performance of the Maxi Trimaran. It is even planned that she would be his substitute skipper for the Route du Rhum in case Armel could not do it.
To face such a demanding season, Armel has undergone a particularly intense physical program.
Launched a few weeks ago, the “Banque Populaire XI” program consists of two weeks of technical training. Later, Armel will make a solo transatlantic crossing between Lorient and Guadalupe Island, in which four members of the team will accompany him but will not intervene in any maneuvers during the route; It is planned to return to Europe on May 20 with a stop in the Azores to complete the last section alone, turning Fastnet Rock and Concarneau, which will serve to complete the qualifying miles for the Route du Rhum. On July 7 they plan a first regatta between the Ultim 32/23 and then put the boat on land in order to carry out a general review before starting a long training session before heading to Saint-Malo on October 24 at the waiting to start the Route du Rhum.
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