Gone from Brest on November 22, the Maxi Banque Populaire V won the Jules Verne Trophy this Friday, January 6th in 45 days 13 hours 42 minutes 53 seconds improving the reference time of 2 days 18 hours 1 minute 59 seconds. Providing her sails since her launch, Incidences Sails wishes to congratulate the crew with this stunning performance, including its co-technical director from La Rochelle, Jean-Baptiste Levaillant, sailing aboard as watch supervisor and responsible of sails on this multihull. With this victory, the French Sailmaker wins its fifth Jules Verne Trophy.
A Sailmaker in the race
Incidences Sails, privileged partner in offshore racing, equips the Maxi Trimaran Banque Popula! ire since her launch in August 2008. Sailmaker, Jean-Baptiste Levaillant has from then been in charge of the entire wardrobe of maxi trimaran of 40 meters. The mainsail of 450m ², the gennaker of 610 m2, and Solent of 270m², all of the sails were designed and manufactured in La Rochelle.
Jean-Baptiste’s implication in the project, however, did not stop at the sails design. He also participated in every single record of the Maxi Banque Populaire V. Helmsman and responsible of the sails, Jean-Baptiste was satisfied after his arrival in Brest : « it is a real achievement. I have several Jules Verne to my credit, in the way that I designed the sails of the last 4 boats – Orange I, Orange II, Groupama and Banque Populaire – this is the first time I finish this story by sailing on the boat! I now view my sails from a different perspective, knowing exactly what are the conditions encountered during a world tour and what it means for the material. It’s definitely a great experience. »
A proven reliability
Incidences Sails regularly collaborates with leading offshore skippers, such as Michel Desjoyaux, Jérémie Beyou, Francis Joyon, Thomas Coville … The hallmark of the French Sailmaker is clearly the strength of its sails, as noted Jean-Baptiste: « With the maxi Banque Populaire, we are sailing with the same mainsail and the same ORC since her launch « . So many miles, representing more than two and a half round the world, and not an ounce of damage has appeared on the sails during the Trophy. « I did not make any repairs during the Jules Verne. I was concentrated on the incredible sensations while helming! Our sails have proven to be robust and that they last. This is important in offshore racing, as for cruisers « .
The 14 members of the crew were congratulated by more than 350 people in Incidences Brest on Saturday January 7th. Their performance was largely praised along with the major stakeholders who took part in this project and put their incredible expertise into this incredible multihull.
Incidences Sails is now looking at the future. With the objective of integrating new international markets, Jean-Baptiste did not hide his desire to join the America’s Cup alongside the two Peyron’s brothers : « I sincerely hope that the Energy Team project will succeed in order to participate in an international race alongside Loïck. We send him our best wished to complete this new story.