[Source: Banque Populaire] The Maxi Trimaran Banque Populaire V began in early July a stand-by in New York, waiting for the best weather window in order to try to beat North Atlantic crossing record (New-York/Cap Lizard).
Yesterday, the multihull and her crew went Code Orange because a favorable weather window could suggest a potential departure within 48 hours. This morning, after receiving and studying the latest weather files, it appears that the window that was conducive to a departure from New York on the night of Wednesday to Thursday was largely deteriorated, forcing Pascal Bidégorry to take the decision and go back to Code Red.
Pascal Bidégorry comments on this choice: “Yesterday, all files and the various weather models were consistent in the right direction but unfortunately the window deteriorated last night. It’s a shame because since the beginning of our standby it was the first window that could have allowed us to cross the North Atlantic in 4 days. Since this morning routing models show a much longer crossing time. However, we waited until the last moment at the Roissy aiport in Paris to see any changes before making a decision to get back to Code Red. There is a priori no window in the days to come but we must remain vigilant because the system remains unstable.”
Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back
After Banque Populaire docked in the Gateway marina in Brooklyn a week ago, it was the turn of Thomas Coville aboard his Sodeb’O maxi trimaran to arrive in New York the following day and then finally Groupama, two days ago, but without Franck Cammas who is currently in Hyères, racing in the iShares Cup.
All three giant triamarans are in New York for the same reason, an attempt to break the North Atlantic crossing record, from the Big Apple to Cap Lizard in the UK.
Thomas Coville aboard his Sodeb’O maxi triamaran. New York, 1 July 2009. Video copyright Sodeb’O Voile
Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back
The maxi trimaran Banque Populaire arrived in New York on Friday afternoon and headed to the Brooklyn marina after a 10-day trip across the Atlantic. The French team’s shore crew immediately went to work on the giant multihull in order to optimize her for the North Atlantic crossing record Pascal Bidégorry and his crew will attempt as soon as they get a favorable weather window.
The video for sure doesn’t contain any extraordinarily amazing footage but it still provides some impressive images of the trimaran sailing in front of Manhattan’s skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty. While Bidégorry was parading in the Hudson river, another giant French yacht was on her way to the Big Apple. Groupama 3 is currently approximately half way through and Franck Cammas and his crew will also try to break the Nort Atlantic record, from New York to Point Lizard, the southernmost tip of Great Britain.
The maxi trimaran Banque Populaire arrives in New York. New York, 26 June 2009. Video copyright Banque Populaire
Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back
Last Thursday, Pascal Bidégorry and his crew set sail from Lorient and headed to New York, where they will be on standby in order to have a go at a trans-atlantic record attempt. After only 2 days, the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire was in the Azores having sailed in good winds and reaching good speeds.
Maxi trimaran Banque Populaire on her way to New York. Azores, 21 June 2009. Video copyright Banque Populaire
Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back
Fro those that can’t get enough of multihull sailing, we have another two interesting videos with raw footage from Banque Populaire’s training session last week off the Spanish port of Cadix. The French boat is still waiting for the right conditions in order to embark on a new attempt to break the trans-atlantic record from Cadix to San slavador.
Sailing during the day
Banque Populaire V trimaran sails during the day. Cadix, March 2009. Video copyright Banque Populaire
Sailing during the night
Banque Populaire V trimaran sails during the night. Cadix, March 2009. Video copyright Banque Populaire
Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back
Days go by and the long awaited window of opportunity seems to never come for the crew of the Banque Populaire V trimaran. Pascal Bidégorry and his crew still look forward to beating the Route de la Découverte record and take advantage of this long wait in order to further finetune their boat.
Given the absence of a suitable environment for the establishment of new record on the route from the Spanish port of Cadix-Puerto Sherry to San Salvador in the Bahamas archipelago, the Banque Populaire maxi trimaran went offshore for a few days last week. The French crew faced varied and testing conditions, as seen in the following video.
Banque Populaire V trimaran trains while waiting for a window of opportunity to cross the north Atlantic ocean. Cadix, March 2009. Video copyright Banque Populaire
Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back
