Banque Populaire VII renamed Lending Club for a Summer season of record breaking

It's no secret that Francis Joyon is going to take over Banque Populaire VII as the new IDEC trimaran but in the interim the maxi trimaran is on charter to Lending Club sailing to embark on a program of record breaking over the Summer.  Renaud Leplanche and Ryan Breymaier are refitting the original large rig and have an ambitious program of records to attempt to improve.

From the following article by the editor, Sailing Scuttlebutt:

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2015/03/01/new-record-breaking-program-launched/

(March 1, 2015) – Renaud Laplanche (FRA) and Ryan Breymaier (USA) team up for a brand new ocean racing and record breaking program starting in 2015 with the VPLP-designed 105ft maxi trimaran LENDING CLUB 2.

Renaud and Ryan met for the first time racing on John Sangmeister’s 77ft trimaran ‘Tritium Racing’, renamed “Lending Club” for the 2013 Transpac race to Hawaii where they won the race but missed the course record by just two hours.

On discovering a common vision of sailing and ocean racing, discussions ensued between the two and before departing Hawaii, they both knew they would be back together for the long term.

Throughout 2014 they worked on putting together a program that would make 2015 a record-breaking year.

Ryan was tasked with sourcing a boat and with Renaud’s support and advice they negotiated the charter of 105ft Banque Populaire VII (launched in 2006 as Groupama 3) from its new owner for the 2015 summer season.

read more here

You can also follow the teams progress on their facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/LendingClubSailing

Route du Rhum, Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII powering along with Loick at the helm

Route du Rhum, Loick Peyron victorious on Banque Populaire VII and sets new record time.

guadeloupe 1ere en direct sur le net by guadeloupe1ere

Loick Peyron steps in to skipper maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII in the Route du Rhum

From the following press release (in French) on the Banque Populaire Sailing website:

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/LOICK-PEYRON-REMPLACERA-ARMEL-LE-CLEAC-H-POUR-LA-ROUTE-DU-RHUM-10167.html#suite

The rough bing translate is below:

LOÏCK PEYRON WILL REPLACE ARMEL LE CLÉAC ' H FOR THE ROUTE DU RHUM
Thursday, September 04, 2014 - 09 h 15
Armel Le Cléac ' h, skipper of the Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII, severely wounded in the hand and forced to forfeit for the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe 2014, will be replaced, the time of this race, Loïck Peyron. People's Bank, in perfect harmony with its skipper, naturally turned to the browser from La Baule, a great connoisseur of multihulls which won the Jules Verne trophy aboard the Maxi Bank popular V in 2012.

Loïck Peyron, quickly seduced by this opportunity, took time to reflect before agreeing to this challenge. Navigation test aboard the Maxi Trimaran with the Team Banque Populaire allowed him to judge the intrinsic frame and, it is excited by this great challenge posed by participation in the Route du Rhum in the final category, that it will align at the start of the most famous of the transatlantic with the trimaran wearing the colours of the Bank of the sail.

Armel Le Cléac ' h, which control perfectly its support, will accompany Loïck Peyron in his preparation for him deliver all his experience gained in 4 transatlantic and 2 records carried out aboard the Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII.
At the same time, in agreement with Banque Populaire, which he retains all his confidence, it will focus during this period forced ashore on the construction of the new monohull Banque Populaire for the Vendée Globe 2016-2017.

Armel le Cleac'h seriously injures hand and will be unable to compete in the upcoming Route du Rhum on maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII

From the following press release (in French) by the Banque Populaire team:

 

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/ARMEL-LE-CLEAC-H-FORFAIT-POUR-LA-ROUTE-DU-RHUM-10133.html

 

The rough bing translate is below:

Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 4:30 pm

Armel Le Cléac ' h, skipper of the Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII, was an opportunity for the 10th

edition of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe November 2. It was unfortunately injured severely to the right hand, which prevented him from taking the start and forced him to forfeit.

Victim of an accident, Armel is seriously wounded in the right hand. Consulted doctors have issued a negative opinion to its participation in the next Route du Rhum. The skipper of the Bank of the sail will use the coming months to recover and be able to browse again with all his faculties as soon as the water of the new monohull Banque Populaire.

This accident does not call into question the presence of Banque Populaire on the starting line of the 10th edition of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe November 2. Indeed, the Bank of the sail, with the help of Armel, makes every effort to quickly designate a skipper for this test.
Armel Le Cléac ' h, skipper of the Maxi Bank Populaire VII:

"It's a terrible disappointment to have had this accident. We were well prepared for this Route du Rhum, I felt ready for this challenge, but it is like that... Now, let's focus on healing so I find all my abilities and that I am ready for the program with the new monohull Banque Populaire which will be put in the water. This will be my new goal for the coming months. »

 

Banque Populaire VII © Yvan Zedda

 

Armel le Cleach to return to Lorient with maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII after no good weather windows present for solo North Atlantic record attempt

From the following press releas (in French) by the Banque Populaire team:

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/Le-Maxi-Solo-Banque-Populaire-VII-rentre-en-France-10119.html#suite

The rough bing translate is below:

The Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII returned to France

 

Friday, July 25, 2014 - 16 h 20

 

100 days before the start of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe *, Armel Le Cléac ' h puts an end to its stand started soon 2 months ago. The Maxi Trimaran Solo Bank Populaire VII should leave New York on the night of Saturday to Sunday, to its home port of Lorient, not in record configuration but in delivery of training for the next edition of the Route du Rhum. The skipper of The Bank of the sail and its router Marcel van Triest kept since the 2nd of June the evolution of weather conditions on the route between the metropolis American and the Lizard, looking for favorable conditions to hope to beat the Record of North Atlantic single-handed. An anticyclone settled on the course, added to the exceptionally low position ice South of Newfoundland have never allowed the meeting of the factors necessary to hope to beat the 5 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes, 10 seconds set in 2013 by Francis Joyon on his maxi trimaran Idec. Armel le Cléac ' h, faithful to its roadmap for the 2014 season, will start on the Atlantic for his fourth crossing of the year. After its two lounges in crew and his road to the victorious discovery single-handed, the skipper of the Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII will join Britain with only Companion browser Gildas Morvan, which function on board as often as possible will be limited to observer and Advisor.

"We we were given the end of July as the date deadline of our stand-by in New York" explains Armel; "Marcel van Triest confirms me that no prospect emerges for the next 8 days. So, it's time for me to bring back the maxi trimaran at its home port of Lorient, to adhere to our timetable for preparation in the Route du Rhum. Three weeks of construction are indeed scheduled in August, in order to submit the boat a deep check of all, following his four lounges of the year. I want to sail intensively since the early days of September from the perspective of my priority goal, the 10th edition of the Route du Rhum. Since nearly two months that we monitor the evolution of the weather on the Atlantic phenomena, nothing really serious only has been proposed, and the presence of icebergs in the South of Newfoundland would have us forced to seriously extend the road. I leave New York without regret because the conditions to sign a time are not available to us. This new crossing of the Atlantic, however, will allow me to continue my training solo aboard Bank Populaire VII. I look forward to my brands. Gildas Morvan will be onboard to help me in difficult situations, but it will be before an observer and it is only that I will complete the heavier manoeuvres, living according to possible nearest rhythm solitaire."

 

read more here

Armel le Cleac'h on maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII, 24 hour set on the Discovery Route ratified by the WSSRC and also a new record time for the Discovery Route Cadiz to San Salvador

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by John Reed:

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=119700&refre=y&ntid=0&rid=1

The World Sailing Speed Record (WSSR) Council has announced the establishment of a new World Record.

Record: Singlehanded 24 hour record
Yacht: Banque Populaire 7. 103 ft Trimaran
Name: Armel Le Cleac’h FRA
Dates:. 26th to the 27th January 2014.
Start time: 00;30;00 on 26/01/14
Start position: 26 58.69’N, 24 51.27’W
Finish time: 00;30;00 on 27/01/14
Finish position: 27 01.14’N, 37 37.95W
Elapsed time: 24 hours.
Distance: 682.85 M
Average speed: 28.45 kts

Comments: Previous record: 'Idec', Francis Joyon FRA, 2012, 666.2M, 27.74 kts

WSSR Website

From the following article on Sail-World by John Reed:

http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?Nid=119674&refre=y&ntid=0&rid=1

The WSSR Council - announces the establishment of a new World Record

Record : Singlehanded Cadiz to San Salvador (The Discovery Route)

Yacht: Banque Populaire 7. 103 ft Trimaran
Name: Armel Le Cleac’h FRA
Dates:. 23rd to the 30th January 2014.
Start time: 18;56;59 UTC on 23/01/14
Finish time: 18;39;17 UTC on 30/01/14
Elapsed time: 6 days 23 hours 42 minutes and 18 seconds.
Distance: 3884 M
Average speed: 23.16 kts

Banque Populaire during her record breaking run - January 2014 -  Yvan Zedda ©

Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII back in Lorient

From a recent entry on the Banque Populaire FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/VoileBanquePopulaire

The rough bing translate:

The Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII arrived at Lorient last night after a ferry 2 days. Technical team is working now to check full boat while that Armel will take the opportunity to take a bit of rest before new goals in June... #VoileBP

Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII returns to Vilamoura, Portugal enroute to Lorient

From the following press release by the Banque Populaire team (in French):

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/Convoyage-Vilamoura-avant-Lorient-9955.html#suite

and the rough bing translate:
Ferry: Vilamoura before Lorient
Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 4:40 pm

Exactly 19 days ago Armel Le Cléac ' h aboard the Maxi Trimaran Solo Bank Populaire VII, took the start of the Route de la Découverte, crossed the Atlantic solo between Cadiz and San El Salvador in the Bahamas. Since then, the skipper of the Bank of the sail has added to his tally this mythical Route, in the wake of Christophe Colomb, and a formidable record of distance covered in 24 hours (682 miles). This morning, the Finistere sailor and his crew were back in Vilamoura following a ferry for a week.

 1) You have secured your trimaran this morning at the Portugal in Vilamoura, port where you had started your stand-by for the Route de la découverte?

The objective of the Team was to beat the record of the Route de la Découverte but it is always a satisfaction to bring the boat to port. Weather conditions are too difficult to go to Lorient directly, we chose to stop in Vilamoura, port that we know well. We preferred to put the boat safely. We shall return our trimaran at Lorient next week when the storm will be passed.

2) How long was the return delivery?

We put a little more than a week to rally Vilamoura since we left Monday morning last of San El Salvador. This ferry crew went really well. We have recovered, the flow of the depressions and we quickly managed to make the East downwind in relatively strong wind. We made a short stop in Madeira because the sea was too composed and strong wind. The objective was to bring our tall without technical problems and that is what we did with the crew.

3) How do you feel after these intensive weeks at sea?

There is clearly a bit of fatigue. The record was sports and it took on the end of the conveyor, be especially careful. I'll relax before going with the return of the maxi trimaran in Lorient (two days of navigation) and then quickly focus on preparation for the record New York - Lizard point early June. In any case, successively beat two important records, is a great satisfaction. I take a lot of pleasure to read messages from fans and share this performance with the whole team and with my trusty partner, Banque Populaire, obviously.

Armel le Cleac'h on maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII smashes solo discovery route record

From the following press release (in French) on the Banque Populaire website:

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/Nouveau-record-pour-Banque-Populaire-9941.html#suite

and the rough bing translate:

New record for Banque Populaire!

Thursday, January 30, 2014 - 10:06 pm

The record of the Route de la Découverte was literally exploded in less than a week by The Maxi Trimaran Solo Bank Populaire VII since the time of solitaire reference between Cadiz (Spain) and San El Salvador (Bahamas) has improved over a day and a half: 6 d 23 h 42' 18 "! Armel Le Cléac ' h loop thus his third record after the Mediterranean and the distance covered in 24 hours (682 miles). Impressions of Armel Le Cléac ' h shortly after his arrival...

« This 3 884 mile course somewhat divided into three parts with a start quite tense for the Canary, one half of the Atlantic very muscular with over 30 knots of wind and a more technical end with the gybes. The passage of Gran Canaria was delicate with seas but then I found my rhythm and the right settings which allowed me to break the record for distance in 24 h (682 miles)! "In the end it is a good average, but in addition to the solo record, I improve time to the boat that Franck Cammas had conducted with a crew on this course... . indicated Armel Le Cléac ' h.

An exceptional time

« Get down under the bar of the week, it's great! We start the year to celebrate 25 years of partnership of Banque Populaire: two new records. I have taken the pace on this route as long as a Route du Rhum: I'm not too tired, optimizations of the boat work well, I well anticipated manoeuvres which are always very long and very rears and I no nothing broke important on board. »

At an average of 23,16 knots, this record is the second best of all time!

« The team of Banque Populaire awaits me on the spot because the arrival is not easy with a great boat: we will stand at anchor until Sunday and returning to Lorient in the wake. A new crossed over North Atlantic... And always a good workout for the Route du Rhum at the end of the year. The next deadline, this is the record for crossing the Atlantic: the bar is very high! » 

The record of Armel Le Cléac ' h

-3 884 depressor miles covered in 6 d 23 h 42' 18 "to an average of 23,16 knots
-Actual distance travelled: 4 271 miles to 25.47 knots average speed
-Departure before Cádiz Thursday, January 23 at 8 pm, arrival on Thursday, January 30 at 19 h 39' 17 "
The best times in crew

1988: Serge Madec (Jet Services V) in 12d 12 h 30 m 27 s
2000: Grant Dalton & Bruno Peyron (Club Med) in 10 d 14 h 53 m 44 s
2003: Steve Fossett (PlayStation) in 9 d 13 h 30 m 18s
2007: Franck Cammas (Groupama 3) in 7 d 10 h 58 min 53 s
2013: Dona Bertarelli & Yann Guichard (Spindrift 2) in 6 d 14 h 29 min 21 s

The best times in solitaire

2004: Francis Joyon (IDEC) in 11 d 3 h 17 min 20s
2005: Thomas Coville (Sodeb'o ' O) in 10 d 11 h 50 m 20 s
2008: Francis Joyon (IDEC) in 9 d 20 h 32 min 23 s
2013: Francis Joyon (IDEC) in 8 d 16 h 07 min 05 sec
2014: Armel Le Cléac ' h (Bank popular VII) in 6 d 23 h 42' 18 "

Armel le Cleach on Banque Populaire VII well ahead of Route of Discovery record time sets new 24 hour solo multihull record

Armel is well ahead of record pace on BPVII and has just set a new unratified solo multihull 24 hour record 677nm at 28.20 knots.

From the following Banque Populaire press release (in French)

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/FLASH-RECORD-Armel-Le-Cleac-h-explose-le-record-de-distance-parcourue-a-la-voile-en-24-heures-en-solitaire-9901.html#suite

and the rough bing translate:

FLASH RECORD: Armel Le Cléac ' h exploded the record for distance sailed in 24 hours single-handed!
Sunday, January 26, 2014 - 5:00 pm

Armel Le Cléac ' h and the Maxi Trimaran Solo Bank Populaire VII , today, beating the record for distance covered in 24 hours alone with 677 miles * is 1253 km to the stunning average of 28,20 knots. This is the new absolute record of speed in 24 hours and solitaire.
The skipper of the Bank of the sail, party Thursday night, trying to beat the record of the Route de la Découverte between Cadiz (Spain) and San El Salvador (Bahamas).
Armel Le Cléac ' has h, at 16.30 clock, 311.3 mile lead over the course of reference * There are 2283,5 miles to go the bow of the trimaran in the colours of the Banque Populaire.

"It's perfect, it's great!"said Armel Le Cléac ' h. "Distance in 24 hours record is beaten! From the Canary Islands, the conditions are conducive to speed even though I am cautious. The sea is in the right direction and my trimaran goes almost as fast as the wind (about 30 knots) while I'm still on the same side. This record was part of our goals on the road of discovery or as early as late May between New York and the Lizard. Today, it is in the Pocket. »

* This new absolute record is now running the World Record Sailing Speed Council approval. It belonged to Francis Joyon with 666.2 miles.

* This course of 3 884 miles on the Route de la Découverte is held by Francis Joyon since February 2013 in 8 d 16 h 07' 05 ", either 18,66 knots...


Route de la Découverte - Maxi Solo Banque... by VoileBanquePop

Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII, Armel le Cleac'h passes the Canary Islands and is ahead of reference time for the Discovery Route

From the following press release (in French) on the Banque Populaire sailing website:

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/Armel-Le-Cleac-h-prend-le-large-9893.html#suite

and the rough bing translate below:

After now more than a day and a half of navigation, Armel Le Cléac ' h, aboard the Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII, file at high speed in the direction of the Bahamas. Last night was not any rest for the skipper of the Bank of the sail but it has very well negotiated the first delicate passage, the Canary Islands. At 9 h 30 clock, it has more than 87.9 mile lead over the reference time set by Francis Joyon in February 2013 on the Route de la Découverte, crossed the Atlantic between Cádiz and the island of San El Salvador.

It is never easy to go in the middle of the Canary Islands, the wind is often very irregular and very present maritime traffic. But at the moment everything is smoothly as explains Ronan Lucas, Director of the Team Banque Populaire who joined Armel by phone this morning: «» Armel is shaped and the boat also! We knew that this passage in the Canary Islands would be one of the most delicate moments of the course and we were not wrong. The wind was very irregular, Armel met with winds gusting up to 40 knots and had to maneuver a good part of the night. He took a second reef in the mainsail for more cautiously. He crossed Gran Canaria starboard * around 4:30 in the morning and then it gybed towards San El Salvador. Now it is left for a long starboard tack tack several days but we are really relieved that within 24 hours when it will be definitely out of this delicate area. It should still extend his lead in the coming hours if everything goes well. »

Maxi trimaran Banque Popuaire VII skippered by Armel le Cleach departs on Route of Discovery Record attempt

The tracker is here:

http://banquepopulaire.geovoile.fr/routedeladecouverte/2014/app/flash/

Armel le Cleach on Banque Populaire VII, new solo record Transmed/Marseille to Carthage route ratified by the WSSRC

Record : Marseille to Carthage. Singlehanded

Yacht: Banque Populaire 7. 103 ft Trimaran

Name: Armel Le Cleac’h

Dates:.30th September to the 1st October 2013.

Start time: 05;02;57: 30/09/13

Finish time: 00;01;10: 01/10/13

Elapsed time: 18 hours 58 minutes and 13 seconds

Distance: 455NM

Average speed: 23.98 knots

Comments: Previous record: “Sodebo” Thomas Coville FRA, Sep 12, 1d 1h 38m 36s

John Reed, WSSRC council

Banque Populaire VII maxi trimaran, returns to Lorient after success in the Transmed record for programme of technical modifications and development

Armel Le Cleac'h new holder of the Transmed record Marseilles to Carthage on the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII has returned to Lorient the team will now undertake a programme of technical modifications and enhancements to attempt to extract maximum performance.

From the following article (in French) on the Banque Populaire maxi trimaran website:

 http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/Le-retour-du-champion-9782.html#suite

The rough bing translate is below:

Thursday, October 10, 2013 - 12 h 30

 

The Maxi-Trimaran-Solo-Banque-Populaire-VII/, skippered by Armel Le Cléac ' h, is back at its base in Lorient. He arrived this morning at 2:00 in the Morbihan region after 2000 miles of navigation from la Ciotat. New record holder for the crossing of the Mediterranean in solitaire, Armel Le Cléac ' h, and the Team Banque Populaire, will now tackle a project of optimization of his sailboat. Pierre-Emmanuel Levy prints, technical director...

© BPCE

"I wasn't on board but I allowed the crew on arrival that night. The team was happy with this navigation. It must be said that we are particularly pleased with the performance achieved by Armel. For a trial run, it's really good. It actually has now taken possession of his boat. Then the whole team, it is a satisfaction for Banque Populaire has behaved perfectly in all conditions of navigation. The crew took advantage of this delivery to continue our work in depth including on autopilots. Despite an often light wind, he pushed the boat in strong wind just after the start of la Ciotat and the passage of Cape Finisterre. This boat offers a significant margin. It is a good omen to beat many other records solo early 2014".
The Maxi Trimaran Solo Bank Populaire VII will be out of the water this weekend next to a construction which is expected to last until early December.
The crew when the ferry la Ciotat - Lorient: Armel Le Cléac ' h, Yvan Joucla, Yannick Guernec, Kevin Escoffier, Pierre-Yves Moreau, Florent Vilboux

Banque Populaire VII, virtual 3D tour of the maxi trimaran

Banque Populaire VII has posted up a virtual tour of the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII.

The 3D viewer is here:

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Maxi-Trimaran-Solo-Banque-Populaire-VII/visite3D.html

Armel Le Cleac'h on Banque Populaire VII claims Transmed record and improves record time by 6 hours 40 mins and 23 seconds

From the following article (in French) on the voile.banqupopulaire.fr website:

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/FLASH-ARRIVEE-Armel-Le-Cleac-h-s-empare-du-record-de-la-Mediterranee-en-solitaire-9762.html#suite

and the rough bing translate below:

FLASH arrival: Armel Le Cléac ' h seizes the Mediterranean solo record! *
Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 0015
Armel Le Cléac ' h, the skipper of the Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII, has just returned in the offshore racing history by winning the record for the crossing of the Mediterranean in solitaire (458 miles) in 18 h 58 min and 13 sec. The skipper of the sail Bank improves the reference time held since September 2012 by Thomas Coville on Sodebo 6 h 40 min and 23 sec.

Party Monday, 30 September to 5 h 02 min and 57 sec French time, crossing the imaginary line off the coast of Marseille, the Maxi Solo Bank Populaire VII cut the line to Carthage in Tunisia at 00 h 01 min and 10s so far.

For a first single solo on this trimaran of 31.50 meters long for 22.50 meters wide and 18 tons of displacement, Armel Le Cléac ' h comes truly to achieve high-level performance! Reputation as workhorse fighter has had blue of the great reason, bravo Armel!

* pending validation of the WSSRC

read more here

Armel Le Cleac'h departs on Transmed record attempt Marseille(France) to Carthage(Tunisia)

Armel Le Cleac'h has departed on the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII in an attempt to better the Transmed record currently held by Thomas Coville on Sodebo.  It looks like he is about neck and neck with the reference time at the moment.

You can follow his progress with the tracker below:

http://banquepopulaire.geovoile.fr/marseille-carthage/2013/app/flash/

Armel Le Cleach departs on solo multihull record attempt Marseilles to Carthage. Update: attempt abandoned inadequate weather window for record back on standby

From the following entry (in French) on the Banque Populaire VII website:

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/FLASH-DEPART-Armel-Le-Cleac-h-a-franchi-la-ligne-de-depart-du-record-de-la-Mediterranee-en-solitaire-9744.html#suite

 It is 13 h 14 min and 50 sec this Sunday that Armel Le Cléac ' h, the skipper of the Maxi Trimaran Solo Bank Populaire VII raced to try to beat the record for the crossing of the Mediterranean alone. The skipper of the Bank Populaire VII must cover the 458 miles course rallying Marseilles to Carthage in less than 25 hours 36 minutes and 36 seconds.

In a wind of 15 knots and seas, crossing line is made at a speed of 22-23 knots, Armel must demonstrate determination and fighting spirit to overcome the great blue!

* Record held by Thomas Coville (Sodebo). The tracker is here

Banque Populaire VII departs on Marseille to Carthage record attempt, Photo Y.Zedda/BPCE

The note posted up on the postponement and going back on standby for record attempt in Marseille:

 http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr/Armel-Le-Cleac-h/FLASH-INFO-Tentative-reportee-9750.html#suite

and an excellent gallery of photos of the start from Christophe Launay:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151621251981993.1073741838.180844291992&type=3
 

Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire VII (former Groupama3) out of the shed and relaunched

The former Groupama3 since purchased by Banque Populaire and now renamed Banque Populaire VII is out of the shed after a repaint and refit.  The intention of this program is to compete in a series of singlehanded races with the Route du Rhum in 2014 as the main focus.  Armel le Cleach is skippering the newly revamped craft.