Gitana : écurie de course au large fondée par le Baron Benjamin de Rothschild

Wednesday 26 October 2022

Charles Caudrelier and the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild dock into Saint Malo

At sunset yesterday, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild and her skipper Charles Caudrelier made their grand entrance into the Bassin Vauban. This arrival in Saint Malo was accompanied by a passage through Le Naye lock, enabling them to come alongside at the foot of the ramparts surrounding the walled city. An eagerly awaited moment, as it triggers the launch of the countdown to the start, it is also a period tinged with dread for the shore teams. Indeed, involving a passage through a marine corridor measuring some 150 m long and 25 m wide, with Gitana 17 measuring 32 m long by 23 m wide, suffice to say that things were pretty tight! However, the operation went like clockwork and today a steady stream of visitors and enthusiasts of the sea and offshore racing began to flock to the docks of Saint Malo to come and admire the giants of the seas.

Charles Caudrelier, favourite ‘rookie’

Since his arrival at the helm of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, in 2019, Charles Caudrelier has won it all! Double-handed, with Franck Cammas, in crewed format with notable wins in the Rolex Fastnet Race, as well as more recently singlehanded in the 24hr Ultim race contested in early October. This flawless performance, combined with the level of technical maturity attained by the five-arrow giant, has earned Charles the status of favourite. In truth though, the sailor is participating in his very first Route du Rhum! Typically cool as a cucumber, the skipper is more amused than worried by this label. “This status isn’t very important to my mind. The standard in our category is very similar with six of the eight entries clearly very much in contention for victory in Guadeloupe. It’s the status of winner that interests me,”smiled Charles Caudrelier.

Gitana and the Route du Rhum, 2002 - 2022

The Route du Rhum is a picture postcard of the technological evolution of the boats over time. Since its creation in 2000, the Gitana Team has always been present at the start of this legendary transatlantic race between Saint Malo and Pointe-à-Pitre and its history is also built around this major offshore race meet.

Moreover, the team’s victory in 2006 constitutes one of the finest chapters for the racing stable fitted out by Ariane and Benjamin de Rothschild. Just like in 2018, it’s the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, which will proudly display the family coat of arms at the foot of the ramparts in Saint Malo in 2022. However, four years on, it’s a much more polished maxi-trimaran which will line up for the start on 6 November offshore of the corsair city with one Charles Caudrelier at the helm.

2002, an eventful debut

Boat: Gitana X
Type: Orma trimaran 18.28 m

2006, the mighty ‘Rhum expressway’

Victory for Lionel Lemonchois in 7 days 17h 19 min 6 seconds
Boat: Gitana 11
Type: Orma trimaran 18.28 m

2010, the return of the giants

Boat: Gitana 11
Signature: the trimaran was extended from 18.28 m to 23.51 m for the race
Result: 4th

2014, gambling on innovation

Boat: Gitana XV
Signature: T-shaped rudder, Tom Thumb of the fleet
Result: 3rd
Type: Multi70 21.20 m

2018, the first of the Flying Maxis

Boat: Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, alias Gitana 17
Type: 32-metre Maxi-trimaran