Populaire Pom

[MR.CLEAN]

Brian Thompson has certainly cemented his reputation (as if he needed to) as the most accomplished multihull sailor in UK history with his shared Jules Verne win as the only Brit on Banque Populaire V. He’s smart as hell but humble and humorous, and we’re excited for the opportunity to sit down with Brian for a Skype chat on Tuesday.

Post your questions here about the Jules Verne run, BT’s upcoming Vendee, or his thoughts on anything – because this guy’s done it all.

 

[pogen]

Does BT speak French? Were there communications barriers, or anything worth noting arising from different cultural (national and sailing culture) backgrounds? Stan Honey was the token anglophone on the Groupama run, he had some amusing remarks on this issue.

 

[pogen]

OK here is another one. Watching the vids from the last couple of days of the voyage, I was amazed how relaxed and rested everyone looked. They were working hard, but did not seem particularly stressed, or haggard, or exhausted. How did their real fatigue level compare to say, a typical Volvo leg? Amateurs doing CA to Hawaii races are often really wiped out after only 12 -13 days!

 

[umpire]

Why did they cross the finish line at the Ushant end when the Lizard end was closer?

 

[Potter]

How many people were involved in the strategic navigation decisions? Obviously there was Marcel ashore, then Juan and Loick on board, who else?

How long do you spen driving in one stint?

 

[MR.CLEAN]

Thanks guys, and please keep them coming! Just moved it to tomorrow, as today Brian is traveling from Paris right after he finishes with the TV folks.

 

[Laurent]

Does he know if Banque Populaire is planning to keep the boat up to snuff for another attempt next year or the year after? If yes, who will be the skipper? In other words, was it a one time stint from Loick Peyron with BP? Would he want to be part of it again... (knowing that the guy has already done 4 non-stop RTW races/records, either he will never get tired of it.... or he now wants to do something else...)

If BP does NOT plan to try again, hoping for better weather, does it mean that the boat is for sale?... (No, my credit card account is not big enough...)

Was does HE think the boat that will break this record in the future will look like? Even bigger? Foiler? Other?

 

[Potter]

This is your third lap on a maxi multi. Apart from the additional hull what was the major difference between Cheyenne, Doha and BP?

Any thoughts on the fact that Cheyenne did not get the Jules Verne despite completing the course faster than Geronimo?

 

[Presuming Ed]

How do you sail the boat? I.e., how much trimming goes on, compared to having the sheets/traveller held, and the boat steered to the current trim? Do you need to get the standby watch on deck everytime you want a grind?

 

[LeoV]

Frenchies often take a young gun onboard, while most anglosaxons would send a full pro team with maximum experience.

Is it a positive effect, as the young gun is greedy etc...

Can you still enjoy a leisurely cruise on a 40 ft bathtub, or is it to slow an experience...

How was the 23 hour daylight looking for growlers experience ?

Cheers and congrats, Leo Voorneveld,

 

[Tom O'Keefe]

It appeared that the ice field in the Pacific was the major hurdle that kept this run from going sub 40 days. With the size of the ice shelf that sheared off to create this field, do you believe that the door is closed on significant gains on the record until this field disipates?

 

[pjrs]

There was a lot of talk about keeping the speeds down, to make sure there were no structural issues, how much was being held back 10/15/20%? Given Loick comments about the lack of crazing on the arms do you feel you could have pushed any harder?

Looking forward, how are the plans for a Vendee challenge coming along? The exposure from this trip must be helping, although perhaps a bit soon after, any interest from potential sponsors, in particular any UK based?

 

[argh2012]

Given the right conditions does Brian think BP5 could cover 1000 miles in 24 hours (average speed of 41.6 knots) ?

 

[t.rex]

Good questions Potter. +1

Hi Brian,

With the current generation of Jules Verne contenders (Orange2, Groupama3, BanquePopulaireV), and a bit more luck with the weather, you might bring the record down to about 42 days (you can't draw aces all the time with the wind). In your opinion for a successful bid at under 40-days do you need to go to a bigger version of BPV or smaller like G3 with better capabilities to break through the transition zones?

Congratulations,

Mark

 

[coxcreek]

I know that Loick has talked recently about flying above the waves as a possible next step up from this new record in a semi-conventional (but very large) tri with foil assist - and also that he has in the past published sketches in V et V of his ideas of a maxi foiler - could you/he enlarge on this? Cheers.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

We're talking at 1200 EST so if you think of any more good ones please post them here!

 

[teamvmg]

How long does it take before you stop waking up every 4 hours?

Can you just start scoffing rich food as soon as you come ashore, or do you have to be weaned off of that freeze dried stuff?

Paul

 

[KennyB]

When starting this adventure, I'm sure that you had some expectations, what was your biggest suprise?

What memories will you treasure from this journey?

 

[TANGO QUEBEC]

How long does it take before you stop waking up every 4 hours?

Can you just start scoffing rich food as soon as you come ashore, or do you have to be weaned off of that freeze dried stuff?

Paul

Brian mentioned yesterday that his first 'real food' since stepping ashore was a clementine and bread with just butter...guess it's the simple things. And yeah, ya bum takes a while to catch up whilst going onto freeze dried, although adding Olive oil is a good way to stay 'lubricated', coming off it and going straight to real food is tasty but can catch you unaware in the first few days, just keep a clear run to the head and avoid spicy foods!