Aboard the Maxi Banque Populaire XI. At the helm, Armel Le Cléac’h steers his giant trimaran through the waves at 50 knots—about 90 km/h.
Spectacular footage offering a glimpse into Ultim-class sailing in the context of the 2026 Route du Rhum.
The bow lifts, spray sweeps across the deck, and the boat accelerates.
The bow lifts, spray sweeps across the deck, and the boat accelerates.
Carried by its foils, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI lifts its hulls out of the water and appears to glide over the waves.
But behind this impression of lightness, every movement reflects the considerable forces the trimaran is subjected to.
At this speed, the landscape flies by, and the impacts serve as a reminder that flight is a delicate balance that must be maintained.
At this speed, the landscape flies by, and the impacts serve as a reminder that flight is a delicate balance that must be maintained.
The boat rises, drops, and regains its trim.
These moments offer a tangible sense of what a 50-knot top speed means on an offshore racing yacht: noise, spray, and constant vigilance.
Armel Le Cléac’h at the helm, heading for the Route du Rhum
At the helm, Armel Le Cléac’h responds to the boat’s movements.
Armel Le Cléac’h at the helm, heading for the Route du Rhum
At the helm, Armel Le Cléac’h responds to the boat’s movements.
His gaze shifts from the sea to the sails, while his actions seek to maintain course and stability. For the skipper, harnessing the power of Banque Populaire XI also means preserving the vessel.
With an eye toward the 2026 Route du Rhum, these images bring home the full scale of the Ultim challenge: crossing the Atlantic solo, from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe, at the helm of multihulls capable of such high speeds.
With an eye toward the 2026 Route du Rhum, these images bring home the full scale of the Ultim challenge: crossing the Atlantic solo, from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe, at the helm of multihulls capable of such high speeds.
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