Banque Populaire forced to retire from the Jules Verne Trophy

8:03 PM Sat 5 Feb 2011 GMT

'Banque Populaire - Jour 12 - Troph?e Jules Verne' Copyright : Team Banque Populaire / BFBP Click Here to view large photo

With a lead of 324 miles over the reference time, in her circumnavigation record attempt, the Maxi Banque Populaire V was handicapped for more than 48 hours by a damaged daggerboard due to a collision with a UFO*. The crew have tried everything to repair the broken piece and resume their round the world tour. However, after 24 hours of intensive care, Pascal Bidegorry and his men must face the facts: it is not possible for them to continue this journey with a daggerboard that does not fulfil its potential when one looks closely at the long upwind voyage ahead ...

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by Banque Populaire Media