Further to our report earlier today about Island sailor, Brian Thompson, congratulations are in order as the Banque Populaire V crossed the Jules Verne Trophy finish line near Brest, France this evening. Vicky Pounds tells us more. Ed
Thompson is part of the crew that has just smashed the world speed record for a lap of the planet on-board a yacht and has simultaneously become the first Briton to circumnavigate the globe non-stop for a fourth time. Skippered by Frenchman Loick Peyron with a crew of 13, Banque Populaire V, beat the existing record set by Groupama 3 by over two and a half days when they crossed the finish at 22hrs 14 minutes 35 seconds GMT Friday 6th January.
Six weeks at sea
The Banque Populaire V crew sailed non-stop around the world in an incredible 45 days 13 hrs 42 minutes and 53 seconds.
Having spent over six weeks at sea, the crew were thrilled to see a flotilla of boats and crowds on the dock ready to welcome them home and are looking forward to celebrating their success with friends and family.
“An incredible trip around the planet”
A triumphant Thompson said, “This has been an incredible trip around the planet, almost a dream ride. And that is because of the quality of the boat, of the preparation and most of all to the incredible crew on board. I am very fortunate to have sailed with Loick, the best all round multihull sailor there is, and the rest of the team that are so talented, industrious, dedicated, fun and welcoming to an English guy with schoolboy French! To achieve my dream of finally holding the Trophe Jules Verne, and of setting the most prestigious record in sailing for the second time, feels absolutely fantastic. At the same time, to become the first Briton to sail around the world non-stop 4 times, is just amazing and feels very special”
Despite having just completed an epic voyage, Thompson is already looking to the future as he hopes to be on the start line of the Vendee Globe in November 2012.
“Next time faster, safer and more environmentally efficient”
Commenting on his next goal he said, “I have so enjoyed sailing round the world on Banque Populaire V, a trip on fast forward. And the whole way around I have been thinking about every detail on how to do another solo lap of the planet – faster, safer and more environmentally efficient than ever before. What better place to test that experience, than in the Vendee Globe 2012?”
In addition to the overall speed record, the crew aboard Banque Populaire V have already broken two other world records on this amazing sprint around the globe; one across the Indian Ocean* and one from equator to equator**. Last year this formidable yacht set two further world speed records; the first for sailing around Britain and Ireland in June 2011 and the second when the crew were the fastest the classic Fastnet course in August 2011.
Faster than any other vessel ever
Although this latest world speed record relates specifically to a yacht, the lap of the planet has actually been completed faster than any other vessel ever, be that under power or sail.
Well done to everyone involved. Time for a well-deserved rest!
