Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard new launch 2023 Spring

Banque Populaire V through Doldrums and looking forward to 2012

by Voile Banque Populaire and Brian Thompson 31 Dec 2011 16:50 GMT 31 December 2011

Another year draws to a close and on board Banque Populaire we are hoping the beginning of 2012 is better than the end of 2011!

Because since we left the doldrums, we have been reaching in 30+ knots of wind, with a lumpy sea state. Not much fun, and we have reduced sail to 2 reefs and the ORC, which is a large storm jib sail.

A few hundred miles up the track the Tradewinds are less strong so come 2012, we should be in much better conditions.

Not much sleeping possible as you are thrown around in your bunk by the boat's motion so much, but the off watch are at least getting some horizontal time, interspersed with moments of vertical movement!

Going on watch in a few minutes, and dawn will follow soon afterwards, so then will be able to see these waves better, and try to avoid the potholes...

Just time for another bowl of hot porridge, to mark our position on the wall chart, and put on the foul weather gear, then into action!

Happy New Year!

Brian

Related Articles

Jules Verne Trophy Paris Prize Giving
British sailor Brian Thompson lifts the prize Brian Thompson, the only British crew member onboard the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V, was yesterday honoured in Paris for the fastest navigation of the world. Posted on 4 Apr 2012
Banque Populaire V new holder
Of the Jules Verne Trophy Three and a half years after being launched in August 2008, the Maxi Banque Populaire V has entered records history by taking the Jules Verne Trophy at the end of a navigation of 45 days 13 hours 42 minutes 53 seconds around the globe. Posted on 7 Jan 2012
Jules Verne Trophy record smashed
Banque Populaire V takes nearly 3 days off the time At 22h 14min 35sec GMT, Maxi Banque Populaire V crossed the finish line in their round the world Jules Verne Trophy Record attempt, smashing the record set by Groupama 3 of 48 days 7 hours 44 minutes 52 seconds in March 2010 by nearly 3 days. Posted on 6 Jan 2012
Final 100 miles
For Maxi Banque Populaire V Jean Baptiste came on deck this morning and said to us "fast, but not furious", and thats been our mantra. Despite doing outstanding speeds the last 2 days we have not been furious, always been in control... Posted on 6 Jan 2012
400 miles left for Brian Thompson
As Maxi Banque Populaire V speeds towards record Brian Thompson, the only British crew member onboard the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V, is around 24 hours away from completing the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht. Posted on 6 Jan 2012
Under 1000 miles for Banque Populaire V
Bearing down on Jules Verne Trophy finish line We have just turned over our countdown odometer from 1001 to 999! So to now break the existing record, we have to average about 10 knots. 2 days ago, near Bermuda, it was 17 knots, and back at the Equator, 6 days ago, it was a 13 knots average required. Posted on 5 Jan 2012
Banque Populaire V flying towards the finish
Clocking off over 30 miles every hour After 2 days of making almost zero progress to the finish, delightful sailing though it was, we are now making serious inroads into the remaining miles, clocking off over 30 miles every hour. Posted on 4 Jan 2012
Banque Populaire V on course for record
On day 42 of their Jules Verne Trophy attempt Record breaking British sailor, Brian Thompson, is currently on course to smash the ultimate round the world speed record as part of the crew aboard the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V, skippered by Frenchman Loick Peyron. Posted on 3 Jan 2012
Banque Populaire V north of Antigua
On day 41 of Jules Verne Trophy attempt Just come off watch, and we are gliding along gently at 23 knots in 14 knots of wind. We have full main and medium gennaker up. Posted on 3 Jan 2012
2,600 miles to go for Banque Populaire V
2,000 mile lead on the record after 40 days at sea Hope everyone is having a good New Years Day. We have decided to spend our day off... sailing. So it has been 40 days and 40 nights at sea, and we are just 2600 miles from the start/finish line. Posted on 1 Jan 2012