Charles Caudrelier and the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild turn back towards Lorient
Just 48 hours ago, on Sunday 1 November at 13:02, the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild set off on its first major race from Saint-Malo, only eight months after its launch. Getting such an innovative maxi-trimaran to the start line with so little preparation time, particularly for a solo race, was a considerable technical and human challenge, one that Charles Caudrelier and Gitana Team had willingly taken on.
Today, following major damage to the 32-metre trimaran's port foil, the defending Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe champion has been forced to turn back and head for the team's technical base in Lorient. The hoped-for second consecutive victory is now out of reach, but these first few hours in the Atlantic have already laid the foundations for the next chapter in the boat's story.
After a mixed start to the race, in conditions that were not particularly favourable to his new boat, Charles Caudrelier had fought his way back into contention among the leading four.
Port foil damaged
After a particularly demanding night negotiating a cold front, during which he managed to claw back some valuable miles on his closest rival, Charles Caudrelier had good reason to hope for a better day in the Atlantic.
However, shortly before 05:00, the skipper noticed that the maxi-trimaran was behaving abnormally. Despite favourable foiling conditions, the latest addition to the Gitana fleet was failing to take off or reach the expected speeds.
In darkness and rough conditions, with a three-metre swell and northerly winds of 20–25 knots, Caudrelier inspected the large Y-shaped foils. The findings were unequivocal: Gitana 18's port foil was seriously damaged.
The composite layers along the trailing edge of the foil shaft had been torn away, taking with them the hydraulic hoses connected to the foil.
"From Charles's account and the first photographs he sent us, we quickly realised that the damage was serious. Its extent and location, high up on the foil shaft, meant that there was absolutely no possibility of him carrying out repairs alone at sea, or of our technical team making a quick and effective repair along the course.
"What we can confirm at this stage is that the damage was not caused by a collision with an external object. These appendages are innovative, and the systems that accompany them are unprecedented on this type of offshore multihull. Sometimes that's part of innovation.
"But now is not the time for detailed explanations. We need to get together with Charles and the team when he's back ashore, go through what happened and better understand the sequence of events," explained Cyril Dardashti, general manager of the five-arrow team.
He continued: "Our main concern this morning was Charles's safety above all, and that of the boat. He had to carry out work inside the float to isolate the hydraulics of the damaged foil so that he could continue using the other onboard systems."
Port foil damaged
After a particularly demanding night negotiating a cold front, during which he managed to claw back some valuable miles on his closest rival, Charles Caudrelier had good reason to hope for a better day in the Atlantic.
However, shortly before 05:00, the skipper noticed that the maxi-trimaran was behaving abnormally. Despite favourable foiling conditions, the latest addition to the Gitana fleet was failing to take off or reach the expected speeds.
In darkness and rough conditions, with a three-metre swell and northerly winds of 20–25 knots, Caudrelier inspected the large Y-shaped foils. The findings were unequivocal: Gitana 18's port foil was seriously damaged.
The composite layers along the trailing edge of the foil shaft had been torn away, taking with them the hydraulic hoses connected to the foil.
"From Charles's account and the first photographs he sent us, we quickly realised that the damage was serious. Its extent and location, high up on the foil shaft, meant that there was absolutely no possibility of him carrying out repairs alone at sea, or of our technical team making a quick and effective repair along the course.
"What we can confirm at this stage is that the damage was not caused by a collision with an external object. These appendages are innovative, and the systems that accompany them are unprecedented on this type of offshore multihull. Sometimes that's part of innovation.
"But now is not the time for detailed explanations. We need to get together with Charles and the team when he's back ashore, go through what happened and better understand the sequence of events," explained Cyril Dardashti, general manager of the five-arrow team.
He continued: "Our main concern this morning was Charles's safety above all, and that of the boat. He had to carry out work inside the float to isolate the hydraulics of the damaged foil so that he could continue using the other onboard systems."
Returning to Lorient and the Gitana boatyard
As always, and despite considerable fatigue following a demanding start to the race, with the leaders setting a relentless pace, Charles Caudrelier showed composure and determination in securing the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild as quickly as possible and preparing the boat for the return passage to its home port in Brittany.
Gitana Team's weather routers, Erwan Israël and Julien Villion, quickly identified two options: head for the Azores, approximately 400 miles south of Gitana 18's position, or turn back towards Lorient and the team's technical base, some 1,500 miles away.
"After assessing the damage, securing the boat and inspecting the foil, we decided to head back towards Brittany. The weather forecast for the coming days also favoured that option," explained Cyril Dardashti.
He concluded: "It's inevitably a huge disappointment for our owner, Ariane de Rothschild, and the entire team, but this is also part of the reality of projects like ours, which demand daily commitment and great perseverance. This is only the beginning of Gitana 18's life at sea."
It is still too early to give a precise ETA in Lorient, as this will depend on the progress the maxi-trimaran can make without its 'wings'. However, the team hopes to welcome Charles back next weekend.
Technical Specifications — Maxi Edmond de Rothschild
Length: 32 m
Beam: 23 m
Netting area: 170 m²
Aerodynamic covers: 73 m²
Cockpit manoeuvring area: 9 m²
Living area: 4.8 m²
Displacement: 19.5 tonnes
Number of appendages: 6
Float rudder height: 4 m
Foil span: 10.4 m
Foil bulb length: 2.4 m
Upwind sail area: 450 m²
Downwind sail area: 630 m²
Air draught: 38.4 m
Electrical cabling: 8 km
Number of sensors: 500
Total decorated surface area (hulls and sails): 2,000 m²
The new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is the 28th yacht in a legendary maritime history that celebrates its 150th anniversary this month.