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

Thursday 10 November 2022

Exiting the English Channel and a zigzag dance

Since setting sail from Saint Malo yesterday afternoon, the bulk of the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe fleet has already rounded the north-west tip of Brittany this Thursday morning, washing their hands with the copious passage out of the English Channel by way of an introduction. The first to pass the island of Ushant yesterday evening, shortly before midnight, and make the transition into the Bay of Biscay, Charles Caudrelier was still leading the Ultims at 09:00 UTC, with a lead of over 16 miles in relation to Thomas Coville. And in order to hold onto the top spot secured at the start, the skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild has spared no effort.

A game of tack changes

“The first few hours of racing were great but very, very physical! We were at the top of the J2 range with a lot of manoeuvres to perform. As a result, I made a few more tack changes than some of my playmates. It was very tough, but it was fantastic being embroiled in a great battle. I was ill after the start, food poisoning I think, so I made a few silly little mistakes… but things are beginning to get better now. The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is doing well. We’re nicely positioned, we’re sailing well and the boat is quick. I’ve managed to get some sleep too… which isn’t bad. There’s still a very long way to go and it’s going to be hard as I believe the exit from the English Channel has already really tired us all out,” admitted Charles Caudrelier on the first morning of this 12th Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe.

Penalty for crossing the start too early,

Deemed by the Race Committee to have been on the start line too early, Charles Caudrelier does not believe that he crossed this famous virtual line before the starting gun, so he has requested redress from Race Management. The jury will likely hear the appeal very shortly.

Position report for the Ultims on Thursday 10 November 2022 at 09:00 UTC

1.     Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (Charles Caudrelier) some 3,272.7 miles from the finish
2.     Sodebo Ultim 3 (Thomas Coville) 16.7 miles behind the leader
3.     Banque Populaire XI (Armel Le Cléac’h) 26.6 miles behind
4.     SVR Lazartigue (François Gabart) 35.4 miles behind
5.     Actual Ultim 3 (Yves Le Blévec) 58.7 miles behind
6.     Mieux (Arthur Levaillant) 110.1 miles behind
7.     Idec Sport (Francis Joyon) 114.3 miles behind
8.     Use it Again (Romain Pilliard) making a technical pit stop in Roscoff