A package for medical reasons
After two participations, in 2006 and 2010, the sailor was to return for a third Route du Rhum . However, after passing the medical tests set up by the organization, they sealed Servane's fate. Affected by Graves' disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism), the young 33-year-old skipper of the BG Race team, who was to have started her qualification, will not be able to participate in the race. Indeed, she has to start a treatment lasting between 3 and 18 months and must not make any effort in the next months. Moreover, cardiac risks, discomfort but also a lot of fatigue are to be expected during the treatment, requiring a close medical surveillance during the first weeks.
For the one who was getting ready to make her return to her favorite event, it is a year of work that is coming to an end, but the boat will not remain at the dock. In fact, she was looking for a replacement to take the helm of her 60-foot monohull and found the rare pearl who is none other than her father, Bob Escoffier.
Sailing, a family affair
Aged 65, it is Servane's father, Bob Escoffier, who will take the helm of the 18-meter monohull. This choice was made naturally by the man who has been at his side for a year, aware of the work he has done. This is not the first time they will be racing "side by side" since in 2003, they sailed the Jacques Vabre together, the first Transatlantic race for the young woman.
This is how Bob Escoffier will start his fourth Route du Rhum. For him, everything will happen quickly since the qualifications for the start of the mythical race must take place before October 1st. But the sailor, of Malouine origin, does not seem more stressed than that to take part in the race with a month and a half to go "I have two big advantages: one, I'm tough and two, with age, I've learned to step back from things. The race start is in a month and a half. The qualification of the sailor/boat pairing must be done before October 1st. Everything has to go quickly and I'm throwing myself into it, even if, of course, I'm going to continue monitoring the operations planned for the start of the Route du Rhum on behalf of Étoile Marine." .
