Less than 24 hours after taking the start of the Jules-Verne Trophy, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, at the helm of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild trimaran, decided to turn around after damage, we learned in the night from Sunday to Monday with their team.
The sailors of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild had crossed the start line off Ouessant (Finistère) on Sunday at 2:09 p.m. French time, with the hope of beating the round-the-world record set in 2017 by Francis Joyon and IDEC Sport ( 40d 23h 30min 30s).
They had reached the Bay of Biscay when they announced that they were abandoning their attempt and returning to Lorient to "
repair damage to an element
" of the engine.
“
The objective (is) now to repair in order to be able to wait for a favorable weather window as soon as possible
,” explained the team.
During a Jules Verne trophy, the engine is not used to move the sailboat forward, but it is "
essential to ensure the charging of the batteries and all the necessary autonomy
" on board, it was specified.
Already two withdrawals
Charles Caudrelier, 48 years old and winner of the last Route du rhum, is co-skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild with Franck Cammas.
The duo is accompanied by four experienced sailors: David Boileau, Erwan Israel, Morgan Lagravière and Yann Riou.
The crew had been ready since December 22, waiting for favorable weather, and can still hope to leave until the beginning of March.
They had already tried to take the Jules-Verne Trophy in 2020 and 2021, but had to give up twice after damage.
The Jules-Verne Trophy consists of crossing the starting line defined by a line connecting the Créac'h lighthouse on the island of Ouessant and the Cap Lizard lighthouse, circumnavigating the world leaving the Cap de Bonne on the port side. Hope,