Groupama 3 becomes Banque Populaire VII
The boat was then bought by the sailing bank on January 17, 2013 and became Banque Populaire VII for the 2014 Route du Rhum. She was then fully inspected and slightly modified to start the season with all the potential hoped for.
Ronan Lucas, director of the Banque Populaire team, detailed the 3 months of work on the maxi-trimaran during the launch. "We are happy that the boat will see the day. We did a big survey, a good check-up, everything was dismantled and checked (fittings, electronicsâ?¦), the chart table was rearranged to make it something ergonomic. Everything that exists has been reviewed, but no major changes have been made. Now we are waiting to navigate to the maximum to really know what needs to be changed. During the first few sailings, we will be observing a lot, until September. It is by sailing that Armel will know what he wants or does not want. We will work on it again in September, before Armel sets out on the solo Mediterranean record attempt
The boat was launched on April 15, 2013 in Lorient without any major work, since it was necessary to wait for Armel le Cléac'h's first sailings to assess the situation.
2013-2014, a year of many records for Armel le Cléac'h
During 2013, Banque Populaire VII participated in numerous coastal races (Grand Prix Guyader, Record SNSM, Rolex Fastnet Raceâeuros¦) before winning the single-handed Mediterranean Record (Marseille/Carthage) on 1 er october. He broke the record in 18 hours 58 minutes 13 seconds, 6 h 40' 23'' better than the reference time set by Thomas Coville, one year before (25 h 38' 36'').
It is then put in the works to be optimized for the Route du Rhum 2014. "We managed to achieve our technical goals of structural and composite control. We reconfigured the cap so that Armel is in a more comfortable situation. He can now stay under it longer with food, a small kitchenette to support it, and the ability to lie down. In addition, he now has access to the Maxi Solo Banque Populaire VII's electronics and computers. This will allow him to be at this lookout post in full efficiency" explained Pierre-Emmanuel Hérissé, technical director. The boat undergoes a general inspection of the platform and structure, as well as the appendages and masts. The underwater paint is changed for a more aesthetic one and the running and standing rigging is changed.
On Sunday, January 26, 2014, three days after the start of the Discovery Route between Cadiz and San Salvador, Armel le Cléac'h broke the record for the distance covered in 24 hours, single-handed and under sail, held by Francis Joyon, with 682 miles.
On Thursday, January 30, 2014, the skipper of Banque Populaire VII won the Route de la Découverte in 6 d 23 h 42' 18'' with more than a day and a half lead over the reference course. At the beginning of June 2014, he was due to tackle the North Atlantic single-handed between New York and Lizard Cape, but due to the lack of favorable weather conditions, Armel Le Cléac'h gave up his record attempt at the end of July to bring the boat back to Lorient to be checked and prepared for the Route du Rhum.
Loïck Peyron's coronation in the Route du Rhum
Unfortunately, when he was supposed to start the Route du Rhum, the skipper injured his hand and was forced to abandon. Loïck Peyron was chosen to replace him at short notice, and won the legendary Route du Rhum and improved on Lionel Lemonchois' record of 7 days, 15 hours, 8 minutes and 32 seconds.
Technical specifications
Solo performances
Maximum upwind speed: 21 knots
Maximum speed downwind: 42 knots
Distance covered in 24 hours: 682 miles at a speed of 28.41 knots.
Awards
