Maxi Banque Populaire V, the world's biggest ocean-going trimaran, will promote the bid by setting sail on the Jules Verne Trophy record-breaking attempt for a non-stop and unsupported circumnavigation of the globe.

The Annecy 2018 logo will be flown 47 metres high from the mast.

Pascal Bidégorry and his crew already hold the record for the fastest North Atlantic crossing under sail.

For more than 20 years Banque Populaire has supported the greatest sailors and most ambitious sporting challenges.

It is a key player in the French Olympic Movement and has partnered the French Olympic sailing team for the past 10 years.

As partner to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, the bank is also supporting Annecy's bid to host the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

For Basque skipper Bidégorry, there is a second level of symbolism - his first love of speed and effortless gliding came from alpine skiing well before he took to the water.

On the threshold of his first circumnavigation, he said: "I am very proud to be able to carry the hopes of Annecy 2018 around the world.

"Mariners and mountain-lovers share many values, which are the foundation of my world.

"I hope that we can, in our own way, contribute to the realisation of the wonderful event that the 2018 Winter Olympics at Annecy would be."


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