Armel Le Cléac´h / Banque Populaire
Classement 2
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News
Exceptional awards ceremony
Last night evening, on the main beach in Les Sables d’Olonne, François Gabart, the skipper of MACIF received his trophy from the President of the General Council, Bruno Retailleau. As for the ten other skippers who have finished the race,…
The skipper of MACIF, François Gabart, 2012 IMOCA World Champion
François Gabart received on Friday, April 26, the IMOCA World Champion title in Lausanne, Switzerland.
IMOCA chooses the boat for the future
The Skippers and Members of IMOCA met in Paris on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April 2013 at the IMOCA Annual General Meeting to decide the future direction of their class, and in particular to discuss two major subjects: the design of the…
Videos
Slideshow
Ses audios
Sunday 27 January 2013, 21:07
Interview with Armel Le Cléac'h
Sunday 27 January 2013, 19:32
Armel Le Cléac'h in english on the pontoon
Wednesday 23 January 2013, 15:37
Vendee Globe live in english with Armel Le Cléac'h
His Deezer playlist
The boat
The fifth creation of the VPLP/Verdier yacht design firm, the monohull raced in the 2010 Route du Rhum, the latest Barcelona World Race and will be one of most recent boats at the start of the Vendée globe. Since 2011, Armel has learned to control his high-performance mount and claimed victory at the 2012 GP Guyader as well as several podium finishes: 3rd place in the 2012 Europa Warm’Up, 3rd place in the Transat Jacques Vabre and 2nd place in the 2011 Transat B to B.
Former names: Foncia
Designer: VPLP-Verdier
Construction: CDK, JMV, Green Marine
Launch date: septembre 2010
Length: 18.28 m
Beam: 5.90 m
Draught: 4.50 m
Displacement (weight): 7.8 tons
Centreboards: 2
Mast height: 27 m
Keel Blade: Stainless steel
Sail area upwind: 300 sq metres
Sail area downwind: 660 sq metres
Portrait
Nationality : French
Résidence : La Forêt Fouesnant (Finistère)
Age : 35
Boat : Banque Populaire
Website : www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr
Vendée Globe Wins and Performances :
2nd entry in the Vendée Globe (2nd in 2008-2009)
Immersed in sailing from a very young age, Armel Le Cléac’h discovered the joys of sea gliding on an Optimist in Saint-Pol-de-Leon. His dreams of sailing the oceans became stronger and the young boy developped a strong character. A relentless worker, both methodical and determined, Armel has put all the odds on his side and remains excited about new challenges. From the moment he started sailing in the 2000 Solitaire du Figaro, he left his fellow skippers in awe by finishing first of the rookies’ rankings and taking the second place overall. He then took on the Tour de France à la Voile, which he won in 2001. In 2003, he entered the very exclusive circle of the Solitaire winners by beating Alain Gautier by a whisker. Impressed with the talent of the young yachtsman, Alain Gautier decided to trust him with the helm of his Figaro, Foncia, on which he won the 7th edition of the Transat AG2R. In 2005, Armel set his sights on the IMOCA Championship with a new sponsor, Brit’Air, and a new goal: the Vendée Globe.
One of the best sailors of his generation
His second place in the 2008 Vendée Globe earned him respect as it is remembered as an incredible racing feat which revealed a spirited, combative and generous man. Being both expected and feared, Armel made a noticed comeback in the 2010 Figaro Bénéteau Championship by winning the Transat AG2R and becoming a two-time winner of the Solitaire. A few months later, he finished second in the legendary Route du Rhum. In 2011, after his sponsor Brit’Air retired, he joined the Banque Populaire Sailing Team. Recognized as one of the best sailors of his generation, he became the skipper of the recently purchased Banque Populaire 60-foot race yacht with one clear objective: the Vendée Globe.
Wins and Performances
2012
Winner of the GP Guyader
3rd place in the Europa Warm’Up
2011
3rd place in the Transat Jacques Vabre (with C.Pratt)
2nd place in the Transat B to B
2010
Winner of the Transat AG2R (with F.Delahay)
Winner of the Solitaire du Figaro
2nd place in the Route du Rhum
2009
2nd place in the Vendée Globe
2008
IMOCA World Champion
2nd place in the Transat Artemis
2006
4th place in the Route du Rhum
4th place in the Solitaire du Figaro
2004
Winner of the Transat AG2R (with N.Troussel)
2003
Solo offshore racing French Champion
Winner of the Solitaire du Figaro
2000
2nd place in the Solitaire du Figaro
Sponsor
For 22 years, Banque Populaire has been involved in sailing, with which it shares the common values of courage and freedom. As the ship-owner of the world’s largest racing trimaran and recent winner of the Jules Verne Trophy, Banque Populaire is competing in the Vendée Globe for the very first time. Seen as the bank of the sailing world, it also closely supports every sailing enthusiast along with the FFV (French Sailing Federation).
Press contact
Charline HAMONIC
presse@milletunevagues.com
+33 (0)6 58 58 79 65
