Banque Populaire On Standby For Jules Verne Record Attempt

It has been a bit more than a year since the Maxi Banque Populaire V has been launched and this incredible multihull is now ready to conquer the Jules Verne Trophy. After having triumphed over the Atlantic and on the 24 hour distance, Pascal Bidégorry and his crew are now prepared to set off and steal Bruno Peyron’s record established in 2005 aboard the maxi catamaran Orange 2.  From now on, the skipper of Maxi Banque Populaire V and his Team scrutinize any weather opportunity to undertake this circumnavigation around the globe in less than 50 days, 16 hours and 20 minutes.

In time and in good shape! After a two month refit and one month of training and of physical preparation, Pascal Bidégorry is a satisfied and confident skipper: “I’m so glad to be here, with everything we have accomplished. I am really pleased and appreciate the work achieved by the whole Team of Banque Populaire. We just took the appropriate time to reach the right level of preparation and we actually fully comply with the planning” explained Pascal. They are even ahead of schedule with the stand-by mode being announced 3 days before the planned date. The skipper carried on: “we have tried in recent weeks to step back from everything that can happen on board and all our embedded systems. We knew they were effective but there were still some issues to solve in the perspective of sailing around the world on this boat. Today, I feel everybody serene.”

Entering the SouthAccording to Pascal, in order to determine the best weather window, it is paramount to reach the roaring forties as quickly as possible, which means exit the Bay of Biscay quickly, then cross the Doldrums and go through the St Helen highs without having to divert. “We are trying to get a long term overview of the conditions to get into the south. Being ahead of Orange 2 is what really matters to us, and not only at the Doldrums. Nonetheless, weather forecasts in the southern hemisphere are actually very complex and not that interesting.” After Groupama 3’s departure last week on it attempt to break the record, Pascal and his team had a closer look at the expected conditions. “The window they have selected was not inspiring us that much” clarified Pascal. “We did not see any hurry in leaving that quickly especially as weather systems in the South do not seem to be fairly settled. I really have no regrets in not departing together but we are indeed following Groupama 3 with great interest and analyzing the weather sequences heading south.”

Pascal Bidegorry has selected an incredible crew to attempt this record with him. Those sailors, doted of high human values and versatile experience, competitiveness and technical skills, will be joined up by Thierry Chabagny, an accomplished Figaro sailor.

From this Thursday 12 November, they are now all entering into RED code in their departure procedure. If a favorable weather window is identified, they would then switch to ORANGE code, meaning there would be a chance of departure within the next 48 to 72 hours. In the case the window is confirmed, the team then switches to GREEN code and can depart within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Maxi Banque Populaire V’s crew list

SKIPPER Pascal Bidégorry

Ronan Lucas / Technical Director
Role : Bowman
Other : in charge of security

Ewen Le Clech / Boat Captain of the Maxi Banque Populaire V
Role : Bowman
Other : in charge of the hydraulic mechanic and fittings

Kévin Escoffier / In charge of the Maxi Banque Populaire V’s design team
Role : Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : Vidéo

Yann Eliès
Role : Watch leader, Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : sails

Yvan Ravussin
Role : Watch leader Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : in charge of the video and composite

Emmanuel Le Borgne
Role : Watch leader, Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : in charge of the medical

Erwan Tabarly
Role : Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : in charge of the electronics

Pierre Yves Moreau
Role : Bowman
Other : in charge of the composite and fitting

Florent Chastel
Role : Bowman
Other : In charge of the medical and rigging

Xavier Revil
Role : Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : food on board

Thierry Chabagny
Role : Helmsman / Trimmer

Marcel Van Triest
Role : Weather Router, Navigator