Charles Caudrelier to Defend Route du Rhum Title
The 52-year-old sailor will debut his new vessel, Gitana 18, at the upcoming race to Guadeloupe.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Running
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Charles Caudrelier prepares to defend his 2022 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe title. This upcoming race marks the competition debut of his new vessel, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Gitana 18.
Why it matters
Caudrelier competes to satisfy his personal desire for sailing challenges after a career marked by significant endurance achievements. His performance will test his ability to adapt to the newly launched vessel following his 2024 Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest victory.
Caudrelier holds the current race record of 6 days, 19 hours, 47 minutes and 25 seconds set in 2022. He also won the 2024 Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest with a finish time of 50 days, 19 hours, 7 minutes and 42 seconds.
The players
Charles Caudrelier
A 52-year-old professional sailor who won the 2022 Route du Rhum and the 2024 Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest.
Gitana Team
A professional sailing organization that develops high-performance racing vessels through collaborative engineering.
The details
Caudrelier has been part of the Gitana Team since 2019 and uses a collaborative process of discussion and exchange to refine his vessels. The new Gitana 18 yacht was officially launched on 14 February 2026.
Timeline
1999: Caudrelier earns top rookie honors in the Solitaire du Figaro.
2019: Caudrelier joins the Gitana Team.
14 February 2026: The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, Gitana 18, is launched.
26 October 2026: Article publication date.
Season Trajectory
This race follows Caudrelier's success at the 2022 Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe, cementing his status as a dominant figure in elite ocean racing. The debut of Gitana 18 marks a critical transition in his season as he adapts to new technology against global competition.
Fans tracking the race can watch whether the Gitana 18 outperforms the record set in 2022. Caudrelier's familiarity with the Gitana Team protocols suggests he is well-positioned to maintain the pace required for another victory.
The takeaway
Caudrelier's focus on adapting to new technology demonstrates that consistent success in ocean racing requires both physical endurance and technical collaboration. Sailing enthusiasts can observe how his integration with the Gitana 18 vessel serves as a case study in athletic optimization.
Further reading
Explore more competitive endurance events on the Running section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Yachtsandyachting.
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