Track of the Banque Populaire V in purple, track of current record holder Groupma in green
Last February the crew of the 130′ long by 120′ wide maxi-trimaran Banque Populaire V was forced to give up their attempt to the win the Jules Verne trophy for the fastest circumnavigation by sail when the trimaran struck an “unidentified floating object” while traveling at 37 knots, severely damaging a dagger board. On November 22, 2011, the Banque Populaire V set out again and has had much better fortune. After only 18 days, the big tri has sailed past Spain, down the South Atlantic, around the Cape of Good Hope, across the Indian Ocean and now has cross the longitude of Cape Leeuwin, Australia. They are currently almost four days and 2000 miles ahead of the position of the current record holder, the French trimaran Groupama 3,
Maxi-Trimaran Banque Populaire V
Banque Populaire au reaching à 33 noeuds!!!! Trophée Jules Verne