In the wake of Columbus

Gitana 13 sets sail on Route of Discovery record attempt

Today (Sunday), the Gitana 13 maxi-catamaran, the latest addition to the 300-year-old dynasty of Rothschild yachs, set sail on its first challenge of the year in the Route de la Découverte Cadix-Salvador (Route of Discovery Cadiz - San Salvador). Gitana 13 crossed the starting line at 09:07:08 UTC.

This being a record attempt, the crew left in the best weather conditions available to break the record for the 3880 mile long course, set in 2003 by American Steve Fossett, on Playstation with a time of 9 days, 13 hours, 30 minutes and 18 seconds. The route requires boats to leave the Canary Islands to starboard.

Sailing Gitana 13 is a crew of 12 lead by Route du Rhum winner Lionel Lemonchois.

The crew of Gitana 13 on the Discovery Route – March 2007:

Lionel Lemonchois - Skipper
Loïck Peyron – Helmsman/navigator
David Boileau – Trimmer
Cyril Dardashti – Trimmer/troubleshooter
François Denis – Bowman
Jean-Baptiste Epron – Trimmer/troubleshooter
Loïk Gallon – Chief mechanic
Jean-Baptiste Levaillant – Sails specialist
Léopold Lucet – Bowman/Medical officer
Antoine Mermod – Energy systems manager
Nicolas Raynaud – Video
Dominic Vittet - Navigator

Weather update from Meteo France’s Sylvain Mondon, Sunday 18 March, at 09.00:

Inner part of Bay of Cadiz: easterly wind of 3-6 knots. Heading further south, the breeze will freshen up rapidly with the wind from the Straits of Gibraltar at 23-26 knots. To the south of 35degN the wind will die down to 17-21 knots from the north to northeast, then to 15/20 knots on the approach to the Canaries.