On 4 November 2018 at 14:00 hours local time, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild set sail on the famous Route du Rhum. Up against a top-notch line-up, Sébastien Josse ranked among the favourites at the helm of this latest generation giant. After a memorable start off Saint Malo and a dazzling performance at the front of the fleet, Gitana 17 was forced to retire from the race after suffering major damage to her starboard float.
Accompanied by the project’s protagonists, and notably the members of the shore team and her naval architect Guillaume Verdier, the five-arrow racing stable invites us behind the scenes in the winter of 2018-2019, to the heart of the rebuild and the renaissance of the latest addition to the Gitana fleet.
Following a refit of over six months, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild returned to her natural element last Thursday, on 23 May. Tomorrow, she will set sail on the ArMen Race by way of an introduction to the competition scene alongside two other Ultimes. The 210 miles on the programme will be an excellent way to kick off training for the skipper duo, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, and their crew. The race start is scheduled for the afternoon in the Baie de Quiberon.
Relive the three-part From Rhum to Water series
Episode 1: the facts
Episode 2 : Understand
Episode 3 : Rebirth