Launch of Maxi Banque Populaire XI

Following a collision with a UFO, which led to the capsize and destruction of the Ultim trimaran Banque Populaire IX during the 2018 Route du Rhum, skipper Armel Le Cléac’h witnessed the launch of its replacement on April 27 in Lorient, Brittany.

The Ultim trimaran Banque Populaire XI, 32m long by 23m wide, was designed by the VPLP architectural firm with a build of 24 months and 150,000 man-hours.

The latest Banque Pop breaks new ground with elements such as her lifting surfaces and her foils, which measure twice the size of those from previous generations. This latest iteration will be even more robust to better integrate the constraints of flight.

Photos: © B-Philippe_CDK Technologies