Banque Populaire charts a course to 2029 in sailing and surfing

Banque Populaire, a shipowner, partner, and sponsor of sailing and surfing, has renewed its commitment to these sporting disciplines until 2029. With the recent inauguration by Team Banque Populaire of its new base in Lorient in southern Brittany, the Bank of the world of sailing and surfing revealed the outlines of its program leading up to the 40^th anniversary of the start of its activities in support of sailing.

A shipowner with ocean racing in its very DNA

With 5 round-the-world races completed in the past 15 years by Team Banque Populaire, the mutual bank has confirmed its participation once again in the Vendée Globe 2028/2029 along with a talented skipper, Loïs Berrehar, recognized as one of the leading lights of his generation. Loïs, 30, will take the helm of Banque Populaire 14, a new boat to be launched in early 2027. Team Banque Populaire and its design office will draw on the skills of a host of French companies to complete this project enjoying the status of a showcase of know-how and excellence. This 8^th vessel built by the Bank of the world of sailing will also help ensure the continued vitality and dynamism of the entire offshore yacht racing industry, and far beyond.

At the same time, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI will pursue the momentum it has gained since its launch in 2021 with a busy schedule with the help of Armel Le Cléac’h, the team’s principal skipper since 2011. In 2025, the Armel Le Cléac’h/Sébastien Josse duo will attempt to keep their title in the Transat Café L’Or (formerly known as the ‘Transat Jacques Vabre’) before the Breton skipper sets sail alone on the Route du Rhum (2026) and the second edition of the Arkea Ultim Challenge.

A loyal partner committed to all forms of sailing and surfing

Banque Populaire’s renewal of its partnerships with the French sailing and surfing federations until 2028 includes the determination to amplify and complement its actions, notably in the field of the environmentally sustainable practice of sport. Proud of the 4 medals won by the French team in sailing (2) and surfing (2) at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the bank will also continue to support the French athletes on their path to future Olympic success.

A long-standing patron of the Eric Tabarly Association, helping to bring France’s maritime heritage to life

Since 2003, Banque Populaire has been helping to bring Eric Tabarly’s dream to life. Thanks to this support from the bank of the world of sailing and surfing, the Association is able to restore and maintain the Pen Duick boats and to reach out to the general public at events staged throughout France. The boats in the Pen Duick fleet will be taking part in a large number of nautical gatherings, notably heading south in 2026 with a tour of the Mediterranean.

A player mobilized to build a lasting legacy after the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Games

As a Premium Partner of the Olympic & Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Banque Populaire is committed to leaving a lasting legacy. As such, it has developed the Sillage (or ‘ship’s wake’) program designed to raise awareness and take action by involving the French public in its actions. When organizing the Oceans Relay, the transatlantic crossing of the Olympic Flame aboard the Maxi Banque Populaire, the bank put together a teaching kit made available to over 4 million pupils in more than 10,000 schools. Banque Populaire is also a sponsor of World Clean Up Day, an event organizing clean-up operations at waterfront locations throughout France. With its strong commitment to the protection of aquatic ecosystems, both inland and on the coast, Banque Populaire will continue to contribute actively to concrete actions aimed at preserving water and encouraging the sustainable practice of water sports, notably in liaison with the two federations it supports.