![\"\"](\"https:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2025\/07\/FSNT_2507ka_4039-630x355.jpg\")
The leader in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race, the Ultime SVR Lazartigue, rounds the Fastnet Rock. Photo: Kurt Arrigo\/Rolex[\/caption]\r\nMonohull leaders<\/h2>\r\nIn the race for monohull line honours the two 100-footers SHK-Scallywag<\/em> and BlackJack<\/em> are matching each other tack for tack, while in the building breeze Leopard<\/em>\u00a0has also made gains on the pair in 3rd.\r\n\r\nIn the IMOCA class the newest boat in the fleet, \u00c9lodie Bonafous\u2019s Association Petit Princes<\/em> has a narrow lead from J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Beyou\u2019s well-campaigned Charal<\/em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_159322\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]![\"\"](\"https:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2025\/07\/FSNT_2507cb_27020179-630x354.jpg\")
Largely benign conditions for the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race so far - here the Botin 52 Caro enjoys the company of dolphins in the Celtic Sea. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi\/Rolex[\/caption]\r\nFastnet 2025 retirements<\/h2>\r\nUnfortunately, Pip Hare, Scott Shawyer and team on Be Water Positive - Canada Ocean Racing<\/em> retired from the race this morning after suffering a hydraulics issue.\r\n\r\nLIke other modern IMOCAs, Be Water Positive - Canada Ocean Racing<\/em> (ex-11th Hour Racing<\/em>) has a comprehensive hydraulics package that includes key sail fittings which are required to stabilise the mast.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re retiring due to a technical issue with one of our main hydraulic control systems,\u201d said the team in a statement. \u201cWe\u2019re gutted \u2014 this is such an iconic race and it\u2019s so disappointing not to finish it.\r\n\r\n\u201cBut we\u2019ve got six weeks of racing ahead of us in The Ocean Race Europe, and it\u2019s critical that we stay focused on a repair in time for that series of races starting in just two weeks\u2019 time.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe crew are all safe and the boat has arrived at Cherbourg.","excerpt":{"rendered":"Banque Populaire XI isn’t just any boat; it’s a floating testament to the bleeding edge of sailing technology, designed for record-breaking speeds and gruelling ocean races. Sam Goodchild, fresh from the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race with the Banque Populaire team, offers a unique perspective on what it’s truly like to sail one of these magnificent foiling multihulls. From the central cockpit, Goodchild highlights the surprising simplicity of the control station, dominated by handles that manage an extensive hydraulic system. Unlike traditional yachts and in keeping with the developments we’te seeing in top level foilers like the Ultimes there are remarkably few ropes here, as much of the power is routed through hydraulics. This setup allows for a highly efficient crew operation: one person at the helm, a pit manager overseeing the intricate hydraulic maneuvers, someone dedicated to navigation, and four crew members tirelessly working the handles. Goodchild explains the sheer physical effort involved, noting that a single tack\u2014which includes deploying and retracting foils and rudders\u2014can require 10 to 15 minutes of continuous handle winding, pushing vast amounts of hydraulic oil. We also get to see the fascinating details of the foiling system, including the crucial daggerboard flap control in the middle of the boat. This mechanism, akin to a traveller on a conventional yacht, allows the crew to precisely adjust the boat’s heel and so righting moment, a critical factor when rocketing across the water at 40 knots. Article continues below… Sailors on Banque Populaire XI often steer to leeward, allowing them to directly observe how the foils are performing and make immediate adjustments. For single-handed or short-handed sailing, a sophisticated autopilot is on hand. There are foot releases for the mainsheet and controls for canting the rig (tilting the mast 6 degrees to leeward before a tack), emphasising how these innovations allow for speedier depowering and enhance safety. Despite their immense power, these foiling machines sail remarkably flat, making capsizing less likely. A crucial component of the Ultimes are the aerodynamics that dominate the boat’s design, from the cockpit’s fairings to the minimal on-deck activity when the boat is flying at speed. Goodchild showcases the challenging exit from below deck through narrow aero fairings, highlighting the extreme measures taken to reduce drag. He also touches on the practicalities of sail changes and general checks that still require venturing onto the trampoline and foredeck. Reflecting on their recent Rolex Fastnet Race, Goodchild notes that Banque Populaire XI achieved an average speed of around 35 knots on the return leg from the Fastnet Rock. If you enjoyed this\u2026. Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price. Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This …Continue reading »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":447,"featured_media":159273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[710,123],"tags":[3010,1633,1522],"review_manufacturer":[],"acf":[],"introduction":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159390"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/447"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=159390"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159390\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":159394,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159390\/revisions\/159394"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/159273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=159390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=159390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=159390"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=159390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Banque Populaire XI isn’t just any boat; it’s a floating testament to the bleeding edge of sailing technology, designed for record-breaking speeds and gruelling ocean races. Sam Goodchild, fresh from the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race with the Banque Populaire team, offers a unique perspective on what it’s truly like to sail one of these magnificent foiling multihulls. From the central cockpit, Goodchild highlights the surprising simplicity of the control station, dominated by handles that manage an extensive hydraulic system. Unlike traditional yachts and in keeping with the developments we’te seeing in top level foilers like the Ultimes there are remarkably few ropes here, as much of the power is routed through hydraulics. This setup allows for a highly efficient crew operation: one person at the helm, a pit manager overseeing the intricate hydraulic maneuvers, someone dedicated to navigation, and four crew members tirelessly working the handles. Goodchild explains the sheer physical effort involved, noting that a single tack\u2014which includes deploying and retracting foils and rudders\u2014can require 10 to 15 minutes of continuous handle winding, pushing vast amounts of hydraulic oil. We also get to see the fascinating details of the foiling system, including the crucial daggerboard flap control in the middle of the boat. This mechanism, akin to a traveller on a conventional yacht, allows the crew to precisely adjust the boat’s heel and so righting moment, a critical factor when rocketing across the water at 40 knots. Article continues below… Sailors on Banque Populaire XI often steer to leeward, allowing them to directly observe how the foils are performing and make immediate adjustments. For single-handed or short-handed sailing, a sophisticated autopilot is on hand. There are foot releases for the mainsheet and controls for canting the rig (tilting the mast 6 degrees to leeward before a tack), emphasising how these innovations allow for speedier depowering and enhance safety. Despite their immense power, these foiling machines sail remarkably flat, making capsizing less likely. A crucial component of the Ultimes are the aerodynamics that dominate the boat’s design, from the cockpit’s fairings to the minimal on-deck activity when the boat is flying at speed. Goodchild showcases the challenging exit from below deck through narrow aero fairings, highlighting the extreme measures taken to reduce drag. He also touches on the practicalities of sail changes and general checks that still require venturing onto the trampoline and foredeck. Reflecting on their recent Rolex Fastnet Race, Goodchild notes that Banque Populaire XI achieved an average speed of around 35 knots on the return leg from the Fastnet Rock. If you enjoyed this\u2026. Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price. Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This …Continue reading »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":447,"featured_media":159273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[710,123],"tags":[3010,1633,1522],"review_manufacturer":[],"acf":[],"introduction":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159390"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/447"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=159390"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159390\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":159394,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159390\/revisions\/159394"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/159273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=159390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=159390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=159390"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=159390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}