The new Ultim of Team Banque Populaire launched on April 27 in Lorient, France, is a concentrate of innovation and technology that has mobilized 150 French and local companies for their unique know-how in the field of competitive sailing: an industry of excellence supported mainly by Breton companies.
Onboard cameras, sensors, optical fiber for safety and a brand new design for the appendages (daggerboard and rudder bearing plans, foils) that have almost doubled in size to improve the performance and stability of the maxi-trimaran in all circumstances.
Team Banque Populaire once again called on Guelt Nautic for the machining of several mechanical parts: mast base, foil hold, sheave boxes, rudder bar etc…
This 32-meter long, 23-meter wide, 16-ton high-tech giant of the seas will have required 24 months of construction, including 4,500 hours of design, 300 manufacturing drawings and 150,000 hours of work.
After a few runs and sails to get the boat ready during this summer, the maxi-trimaran will do its first major ocean race in November with the Transat Jacques-Vabre, skippered by Armel Le Cléac’h in partnership with Kevin Escoffier.
The following year, Armel Le Cléac’h will take to the sea solo for the 2022 Route du Rhum.