The new Ultim trimaran Banque Populaire XI was launched after exiting the CDK Technologies yard in Lorient in Brittany yesterday, Tuesday 27 April.
All the teams involved in the project were present to witness the fruit of two years of hard work behind closed doors amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Banque Populaire XI is the third craft to be built and developed by Team Banque Populaire with CDK Technologies completely taking charge of the project management.
CDK has built the majority of the Banque Populaire boats, including the IMOCA Banque Populaire VII and the Maxi Banque Populaire V — now known as Spindrift 2 and the largest racing multihull ever constructed.
Members of Team Banque Populaire and CDK Technologies who worked on the two-year build Credit: B Philippe/CDK Technologies
For its latest built, CDK subcontracted the central hull and floats to its partners, Multiplast in Vannes, Brittany and Fibre Mechanics in Lymington in the UK.
The new trimaran, designed by the VPLP architectural firm and GSea Design, breaks new ground with elements such as and foils which measure twice the size of those from previous generations.
Banque Populaire XI will now embark on a lengthy setting-up period with a view to competing, with Ocean Race veteran Armel Le Cléac’h at the helm, in the next Transat Jacques Vabre offshore race later this year.
Bertrand Magnin, head of development with Banque Populaire, said: “We’re very proud of the launch of this boat, which testifies to our trust in entrepreneurship, in collaboration as well as in the passing on of knowledge.
The new Ultim trimaran is lifted towards the water Credit: B Philippe/CDK Technologies
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the 150 firms and their associates, together with Team Banque Populaire, who have enabled the construction of this fabulous trimaran.”
Skipper Armel Le Cléac’h added: “I’ve greatly appreciated the synergies and the mutual trust between Team Banque Populaire and CDK Technologies throughout the past two years of working together. They’ve managed to pull off this massive challenge and they can be proud of the outcome.
“The boat is ready to go and is very well designed technically, which is ideal for taking on the major challenges that await us.”
