Solely the summery atmosphere currently reigning over the South-West coast of Morocco could prompt you into thinking about holidays. Indeed the crew of the MOD Edmond de Rothschild Group is sparing no effort as they link together a series of intensive training days.
Based in Agadir since mid-January, Sébastien Josse and his men are making the most of the optimum conditions to meticulously prepare for the Multi One Championship 2012. Added to that, the members of Gitana Team were joined late last week by Roland Jourdain’s team. Since that time, the two crews have been sailing in convoy and this will continue through until the end of February. The programme will alternate between inshore races around Agadir Bay and some offshore sessions in short-handed configuration, to model the upcoming season as best they can.
Given the late receipt of their steed – on 25 October 2011 –, the men from Gitana Team were duty bound to make the very best of every one of the remaining months leading up to the first event of 2012, the start of which will take place on 7 July in New York.
As such it’s impossible to overlook the winter months, which are traditionally dedicated to refits or haul outs. Sébastien Josse discusses the decision to relocate the team a few miles further South of their port of registry: “Our decision to come and train in Agadir for a few weeks in the depths of winter is being backed up day after day. This is especially true when you look at the wave of cold weather sweeping across Europe, as it would have been impossible for us to get in some serious training in such conditions,” explained skipper of Edmond de Rothschild Group.
The crew of Véolia Environnement, which has the second one-design of the series, made her entrance into Agadir’s marina at the end of last week. Since then, the Gitana Team and their sparring partner have been racking up a good number of friendly confrontations off the capital of the Souss region. “Sharing everything with the competition,” may surprise some, but it was a natural step forward for Sébastien Josse.
“I’m among those who believe that we’re stronger together than alone. By sailing on our own around Agadir Bay for the first ten days, we’ve learnt a great deal about our onboard organisation and we’ve notably worked on communication and the coordination of manœuvres. However, without competition or references, the game isn’t complete. Confrontation is healthy and it enables you to make progress as we’re going to be pushing our limits. I’m delighted that Veolia Environnement was able to accept our offer”, assured the skipper of the latest Gitana craft.
After a full week of coastal races, Edmond de Rothschild Group will head offshore from next Tuesday in order to test its oceanic configuration. At that point, there will be six rather than eight of Sébastien Josse’s men driving the trimaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild.
– Kate Jenning
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