Tuesday 25 October – 1700 hours
The MOD 70 Edmond de Rothschild Group hits the water
In March 2010, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild ranked among the very first boat
owners to commit to the new Multi One Design circuit; a design involving 70
feet one-design trimarans, whose sailing programme includes transatlantic
races, tours of Europe, Round the World races with stopovers as well as city
races. A year and seven months on, the project has become a reality with the
launch of the MOD 70 Edmond de Rothschild Group. The fourth one-design of
the Multi One Design class, this multihull forms part of a long line of
Gitana craft, which have marked the marine history of the Rothschild family.
She will be helmed by Sébastien Josse.
By nature, Sébastien Josse is a patient sailor. However, the various
confrontations with his future rivals during the Krys Match, held in La
Trinité-sur-Mer, Brittany in early October, certainly whetted his
competitor’s appetite. This afternoon, he shared with us his feelings as he
saw this trimaran finally taking to the water: “It’s been a complex week for
the Gitana Team. We’ve been eagerly awaiting this launch and today it was
with a great deal of emotion that we accompanied the MOD team down the final
home straight. This delivery gives concrete expression to the project and
marks the start of a new adventure for the team. This 70 feet multihull is
the first brand new boat I’ve ever been entrusted with. It’s an honour and I
could never thank Baron and Baroness Benjamin de Rothschild enough for the
trust they have shown in me and the opportunity they have given me by
allowing me to take the helm of this new craft.”
The singularity of the Multi One Designs isn’t just down to the common
architecture of the trimarans and the resulting philosophy. Indeed,
membership to this new class upsets the routine of offshore racing teams
somewhat: “It is very rare for a team like ours not to participate in the
design and then the manufacture of the boats we sail on. Usually, at this
stage in proceedings, even if we haven’t been out for sea trials yet, we
have the boat well in hand through having built her. Today it’s a discovery
for us all.” Now afloat in her new port of registry, the MOD fitted out by
Baron Benjamin de Rothschild will undergo so-called static tests from
tomorrow. This trial involves dockside tests to measure the strength of the
various mechanical elements by pushing them to their maximum limit. The
first sea trial will then ensue on Thursday, weather permitting, assuming
the results of the static tests prove satisfactory of course.
At that point, Gitana Team will begin a further series of sea trials during
November so as to check that the trimaran conforms and ensure she can be
signed off at the definitive handover.
The Gitana Team takes root in Lorient
Though the launch of the MOD Edmond de Rothschild Group is the headline news
today, it coincides with a major change for the Gitana Team. Set up in
Saint-Philibert, a village separated from La Trinité-sur-Mer by the river
from Crac’h, from the very outset, the offshore racing stable founded by
Baron Benjamin de Rothschild is now installing its logistics and technical
base in nearby Lorient. Team manager, Cyril Dardashti, explains the
reasoning behind this move: “The Gitana Team is taking root in Lorient from
today onwards. In fact we’re taking up position in a shed situated in the
Kéroman submarine base and the Gitana boats will be moored immediately
alongside. This move comes ten years on from our installation in La
Trinité-sur-Mer and was guided by a desire to optimise our logistics as well
as make gains in terms of performance. Indeed, with the arrival in the
stable of the MOD 70 Edmond de Rothschild Group, we were keen to be closer
to our future rivals as the one-design nature of this latest craft will call
for a series of joint training sessions so as to make steady progress and
stay at the top of our game. With the Keroman submarine base, where the vast
majority of offshore racing teams are gathered, Lorient has pulled off what
was a difficult challenge in transforming the existing site and setting up a
recognised skills hub here. Within the Gitana Team, we are aiming to reindex
at the core of innovation and technological advances, which is why this new
base seemed like the obvious step forward. However, the team is still
extremely attached to La Trinité-sur-Mer and its marina as the Baie de
Quiberon is the perfect spot for sailing.”
Norbert Métairie, President of the Cap Lorient area and Mayor of Lorient,
welcomes the arrival of Gitana Team to his town with open arms and was keen
to be in attendance this Tuesday: “I’m delighted that the prestigious Gitana
team, led by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, is settling here. This move is an
extension of the appeal of Lorient’s submarine base as an offshore racing
hub. Close to the yards where the MOD70s are assembled, this latest
relocation confirms the dynamism of the marine businesses in the area, as
well as complementing Lorient’s skills and provisions.”
Find all the latest news about the Gitana Team at
www.gitana-team.com
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
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