Badly damaged Ultime trimaran Banque Populaire recovered to Vigo

After the capsize of the ULTIME trimaran Maxi Banque Populaire IX  on November 6th, two days in to the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, Team Banque Populaire and the insurers have worked hard to complete a successful mission to recover the upturned, damaged trimaran.

A tug under the independent guidance of well known Figaro salor, Adrien Hardy, appointed by the insurance company for his expertise, located Banque Populaire IX within a few days.

The damaged ULTIME was located thanks to the Argos beacon inside the boat. The objective was to recover the damaged elements of the boat. 

After ten days at sea in very difficult conditions the tug has returned to Vigo. There, first appraisals by Team Banque Populaire, confirm that the ULTIME is in a badly deteriorated state.  

The insurer will make a full evaluation. 

Banque Populaire and its sailing team have been studying various options over recent days for the 'Sailing Bank' which will celebrate 30 years of sailing sponsorhip in 2019.  

Ronan Lucas, Team Banque Populaire director commented:
"Despite all our efforts the storm has badly affected the boat which has become detatched from itself and in this state rebuilding looks impossible. When we think of all the people who contributed to this fabulous project we are all very sad about this outcome. But we are already hard at work to consider the continuation of this magnificent history with Banque Populaire."

Update take from a Banque Populaire statement.