The press was waiting for confirmation of the many rumours about the future of Banque Populaire. The date was also on all the agendas: the group's press conference would take place on 22 January. Here are the announcements made today
A new Ultimate for Armel le Cléac'h
Armel le Cléac'h capsized aboard his trimaran Banque Populaire on the Route du Rhum 2018 . In the days that followed, just pieces of the rimaran were recovered. The sailboat was totally destroyed. The question then arose as to whether Banque Pop' would relaunch the construction of a boat.
Well, the answer is oui?! "Banque de la Voile renews its confidence in Armel Le Cléac'h and launches the construction of the Maxi Banque Populaire XI, a new Ultim which should be launched during the winter of 2020/2021."
The skipper will take part on board in all the major races of the Ultimate programme in 2021.
This boat will be the 4th trimaran built or developed by the Banque Populaire Team. The latter will be designed with the support of the architectural firm VPLP Design for the platform and GSea Design for the structure, in collaboration with the engineers of the Banque Populaire Team's design office.
The construction will be entrusted to offshore sailing yacht specialists: Multiplast and CDK Technologies, the latter ensuring the complete project management of the future Maxi Banque Populaire XI.
A 2020 Vendée Globe 2020 with Clarisse Crémer
For its 30th anniversary in the sailing world, Banque Populaire wanted to give a young skipper under 30 years of age a chance to accompany him in his first Vendée Globe . So it was only natural that the sponsor turned to Clarisse Crémer who is known for his great performance on the Mini circuit and for his great communication skills. It will recover the former ADM, now called Banque Populaire X.
This new project is entrusted to Clarisse Crémer, a sailor with whom Banque Populaire shares the values of entrepreneurship and surpassing oneself. A graduate of HEC Paris, co-founder of the start-up Kazaden.com, she took 2nd place on the podium of the Mini-transat 2016 during her first transatlantic race. She was crowned in 2017." Seamaster of the year It is therefore your left hand that holds the end crossing that constitutes the "well". With your right hand, you will grasp the current and pass it under the "tree" and in the same gesture, bring it back into the "well".
The young woman will join the team in July 2019, at the end of the Solitaire du Figaro, which she will race under the colours of Everial. She will participate in the Transat Jacques Vabre in November with Armel le Cléac'h, who will accompany her throughout her project.
Clarisse Cremer: "This project is both a lot of excitement, but also a lot of apprehension, and that's normal, because there are a lot of things unknown. I tell myself that by joining the Banque Populaire Team, it is the best school, the best environment I can have to carry out an adventure like this. I approach this project with great humility. I intend to ask billions of questions, make tons of cards of all kinds. Learning in a very fast way is also what défi? is all about! I'm just really into it. I'm going to apprehend step by step. I'm already going to do the Solitaire with Everial until June.
Then, after this first stage, to launch myself into Imoca, there will be the first nav' with Armel in doubles in preparation for the Transat Jacques Vabre. There will be many surprises and discoveries, I have never been in a great team like this one, I have a lot to learn. I don't think Armel thought he'd ever do a double race with me (laughs), let alone in Imoca! Neither do I (laughs).
When it comes to champions in the sailing world, there is no better way to do it. I'm going to try to be up to the task and keep up when we get to bord?! I am very proud to be able to learn with her, quite intimidated too. In this project, there is a beautiful learning dimension that is close to my heart"
The Solitaire du Figaro for Armel le Cléac'h
Armel le Cléac'h - double winner of the Solitaire du Figaro - will return to the circuit in 2019 aboard Figaro Bénéteau 3 for two seasons.
Armel le Cléac'h: "We had a complicated year 2018. Despite this, Banque Populaire's confidence was renewed to start again on several projects and in particular to start again in Ultim. I'm really very happy, despite what I've been through, despite the stress of the breakage and rescue, I'm 200% sure and I want to sail on these boats.
We are fortunate to have the construction of a new boat, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI, which will take place over 18 months with a launch in the winter of 2020 / 2021. We are very happy with the whole team to be back on this adventure. There is a real willingness to go back together.
What happened to me during the Route du Rhum remains for me a brutal breakage and that does not call into question my desire and my commitment. There was fear, the accident was sudden. We go from a moment when we control just about everything that happens and then suddenly we find ourselves in danger, with a boat capsizing as a result of the arm breaking.
These events in offshore racing and even more so in solo racing can happen, the zero risk does not exist, we know it and we are aware of it when we do this job, even if the whole team had prepared the boat extremely well. We debriefed at length with my team and we are working to understand what happened and be safer in the future. We shared with the other teams in this sense, because there is a real common will to move forward.
My role in Clarisse's Vendée Globe project will be to bring him all my experience on this race after having sailed for 10 years on Imoca boats. A first Vendée Globe is always a time when there is apprehension and the unknown. I will try to give him as much information as possible to enable him to get in line at the start of this race in the best possible conditions.
This year, I'm going to start again on a Solitaire du Figaro, a circuit that I really appreciate. I have already participated in 10 editions, this will be my 11th. I am very happy to be at the start, with a set that will be exceptional. There's a lot to learn again, it's going to be nice to face each other on equal terms at the start line."
New challenges around the Globe
Banque Populaire can boast a surprising team led by Ronan Lucas. After 3 projects around the world (1 Jules Vernes Trophy and 2 Vendée Globe) they are back on the hunt with a Utltim project and a new Imoca for a young first.
