Armel Le Cléac'h will construct maxi-multihull Banque Populaire IX

by Vendée Globe on 19 Feb 2015 Armel Le Cléac'h’s sponsor, Banque Populaire, has reasserted its commitment to sponsoring sailing for another five years and has announced the construction of the maxi-multihull Banque Populaire IX. This new giant of the seas will be out there racing from 2017, in other words after Armel has taken part in the 2016 Vendée Globe aboard the Banque Populaire VIII monohull.

With just a few weeks to go to the launch of the IMOCA monohull, Banque Populaire VIII (April 2015), Banque Populaire is already looking ahead to see how it can compete at the highest level of sailing after the next Vendée Globe. After celebrating 25 years of supporting sailing in 2014, Banque Populaire will in 2019 be celebrating 30 years of involvement and loyalty to a sport, whose values they share.

Armel le Cléac’h, skipper of the 60-foot monohull Banque Populaire VIII: 'This is another great challenge we are taking up with the team and we are proud to see that Banque Populaire has renewed its support. I was lucky to sail on a boat like the Maxi Solo Banque Populaire VII and I could see that I could sail her alone and even beat records.

So, I am more motivated than ever to sail on a new multihull, which this time will be designed and built for solo sailing. Going even faster, taking everything even higher, that is our goal. For the moment, we are enjoying being involved in the construction of the IMOCA monohull Banque Populaire VIII to compete in the 2016 Vendée Globe; with Team Banque Populaire, we are hard at work. I must say it is reassuring and very motivating to know what comes afterwards and know that the story will continue.'