Crew of Banque Populaire V for the Mediterranean record. Image copyright Benoit Stichelbaut/BPCE.
by Virginie Bouchet (in translation)
Leaving on Saturday, 15th May at 05h 56m 56s French time (03h 56m 56s GMT) from the ancient Sémaphore de Frioul in Marseille, the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V crossed the finishing line in Carthage (Tunisia) at 20h 17m 30s French time (18h 17m 30s GMT). It made the Marseille to Carthage trip in 14 hours 20 minutes and 34 seconds at an average speed of 33.24 knots covering an actual distance of 477 miles.
Banque Populaire V entered the water in August 2008 and since obtained two records, the North Atlantic and 24 hour speed records, the team of the Maxi Banque Populaire V have now obtained another record, beating that of Groupama 3 for the Mediterranean crossing, which was set at 17 hours 8 minutes and 23 seconds.
Il devient ainsi le nouveau détenteur de record de la Traversée de la Méditerranée bettering the time established by Franck Cammas one day short of a year later by 2hours 47m and 47s.*
The Mediterranean Record in Numbers
Date and hour of departure from Marseille: 15 May 2010 at 05h 56m 56s French time (03h 56m 56s GMT).
Date and time of arrival in Carthage: 15 May 2010 at 20h 17m 30s French time (18h 17m 30s GMT).
Distance sailed (actual): 477 miles (886 km)
Average speed sailed: 33.24 knots
Maximum speed: 43.1 knots
New refence time for crossing the Mediterranean: 14 hours 20 minutes 34 seconds*
Improvement in time over the record of Groupama 3 in 2009: 2 hours 47 minutes and 47 seconds.
*Waiting for confirmation from the WSSRC
Team for the Mediterranean Record Crossing
Pascal Bidégorry - skipper
Thierry Chabagny
Florent Chastel
Kévin Escoffier
Emmanuel Le Borgne
Ewen Le Clech
Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant
Ronan Lucas
Pierre-Yves Moreau
Yvan Ravussin
Xavier Revil
Erwan Tabarly
Marcel Van Triest - navigator on land
Banque Populaire V
