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

Friday 12 May 2023

Charles Caudrelier returns to The Ocean Race alongside Kevin Escoffier

Since mid-April, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild has been tucked up at Gitana Team’s technical base in Lorient. The teams are busily preparing the five-arrow giant for what promises to be a hectic and ambitious 23-24 season with the Transat Jacques Vabre in late October and the very eagerly awaited first edition of the solo round the world race in Ultim, the Arkea Ultim Challenge, which is due to set sail on 7 January 2024. Charles Caudrelier will benefit from this spring break to hitch a ride on the next leg of The Ocean Race aboard the IMOCA Holcim PRB, the current leader of the event. It's an opportunity for the skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild to rekindle his ties with a race that has unquestionably punctuated his career, with two victories in all, including one in the last edition, as well to continue focusing on performance and competition as he awaits the relaunch of Gitana 17 this July.

Charles Caudrelier: “I’m thrilled to be a part of the next leg aboard Holcim – PRB for a number of reasons. I’m naturally enthusiastic about the prospect of rediscovering the atmosphere of The Ocean Race, which is a race that has punctuated my career as a sailor, as well as my life. Above all though, I’m happy to be joining Kevin and his team. Kevin and I have a very close bond. He was one of the cornerstones of my crew during our victory in 2018 with Dongfeng Race Team and it’s great to be able to support him with the roles reversed. My schedule with the Gitana Team fits perfectly as the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is currently in refit with a very intense second half of the season and a singlehanded round the world race from January 2024. This Newport – Aarhus leg is an important passage to my mind, as the return to Europe may be an indication that the race is nearing the end, but there’s still a long way to go before the finish in Genoa.”