A journey across Provence with kitesurfer Rita Arnaus in the new Macan Electric
A road trip through the south of France with the Porsche athlete
Porsche Macan speeds through lavender fields in Provence
As part of her rehab following serious injury, pro kitesurfer Rita Arnaus took the new electric Macan with MICHELIN tyres to the south of France on a journey of discovery and renewal
When leading professional freestyle kitesurfer, Rita Arnaus, suffered a serious knee injury at an event in Qatar in 2023, she entered into a period of reflection alongside the necessary rehab. As part of it, the Barcelona-raised athlete headed to the south of France, accompanied by the new all-electric Macan with MICHELIN tyres. Here, in Provence, amid its famed lavender fields and tranquil beauty, was an opportunity for a reset, to recharge herself and to get to know the Macan, which was her partner for the duration of her stay. Rita Arnaus’ voyage of discovery on a Porsche road trip to ProvenceWhether she’s riding the waves or exploring the winding roads of Provence in the new electric Porsche Macan, Rita understands that small changes, when harnessed properly, can lead to big transformations. “It’s the same with our world,” she reflects. “A shift in attitude can heal. Like the transition to electric, small changes lead to big.”
Pro freestyle kitesurfer Rita Arnaus soars high into the sky
Reach for the skies: Rita Arnaus, who took up kitesurfing at the age of 15, is a former World Championship silver medallist and a current Porsche athlete Photo: Porsche
Following her injury, Rita dedicated herself to months of rehab to get back to fitness. Seeking peace, balance, and renewal after this intensive period, heading off to southern France in the new electric Macan was a chance for her to do just that.“Attitude determines how the inner battle is won,” she says. In those difficult months, she missed being on the waves doing what she loves. “Out there, my mind actually seems to slow as the speed of a wave takes me… And the waves don’t crash. It’s like there’s no sound at all.” It’s a feeling of total oneness with nature, a moment of clarity where energy is redirected and renewed.Provence became a haven and a time to reset, with Rita practising yoga in the fragrant lavender fields and enjoying the region’s wholesome food. After a long focus on her body’s recovery, the trip proved to be a final step on the road to renewal. “Last year, rehab was hard. It wasn’t just physical. Mentally, you need to recharge too,” she admits. “This trip has been a voyage of discovery… quite magical.”The healing properties of Provence’s lavenderDuring her recharging stay in Provence, Rita was able to reflect on the interconnected nature of life. “Pause and you see the patterns,” Rita says, observing the lifecycle of the lavender.
Pro kitesurfer Rita Arnaus performing yoga in Provence
After suffering a serious injury at a competition in the Middle East in 2023, Rita saw the opportunity to drive a new electric Macan around Provence as a voyage of discovery, both for herself and the car Photo: Porsche
From the buzzing bees to the hands of farmers harvesting the blooms, the cyclical nature of growth, decay, and renewal are clear. When used in massage, the healing properties in the lavender oils help repair damaged muscle tissue and this further connected Rita to the land’s natural rhythms.“It’s how you move, and what you do within the cycle that counts,” she reflects. Her own journey is mirroring the lifecycle of the lavender – a process of healing, growth and recharging before she steps back onto the waves. This sense of harmony and balance also applies to Rita’s approach to the challenges she faces in life, whether on the water or in her recovery from injury.
“Embracing the ‘now’ forces you to let go of the past,” she says. “When life rushes at you, harness the energy and recharge. This is how you turn negative energy into positive.” Just as the wind propels her across the water, the right mindset can propel us all forward, converting obstacles into opportunities for renewal.Rita Arnaus on driving the new all-electric Porsche MacanAs well as the chance to recharge herself through nature, Rita found time to evaluate her experiences with the Porsche Macan, an SUV that brings cutting-edge technology and sportscar-like performance together for an energising driving experience and enhanced by its MICHELIN tyres which have been specially designed for the Macan.In her professional sports career, Rita has learnt to understand the importance of balance, harmony, and harnessing energy in innovative ways. “Small changes lead to big,” says Rita. It’s a philosophy that Porsche itself knows only too well. Its electrified models not only represent a change in how the car is powered but an evolution in how we experience performance and luxury. This too is a cycle of renewal.
Pro kitesurfer Rita Arnaus plus Porsche Macan at charging point
On her road trip through Provence in the south of France, Rita was able to recharge herself – while familiarising herself with the charging process for the Macan too Photo: Porsche
The electric Porsche Macan embodies the same principles of flow and energy that Rita channels in her kitesurfing. With its powerful electric motors and enhanced dynamics, the Macan delivers the kind of thrilling performance that Porsche enthusiasts expect, with breathtaking acceleration and enhanced handling and agility.“The energy in my body is the connection that steers my board,” Rita says of her experiences out on the water – just as the Macan creates an exhilarating connection between driver and road.Meanwhile, the advanced battery technology of the Macan ensures that it’s always ready to perform. With impressive range and fast-charging capability, the Macan allows you to recharge quickly in order to keep moving forward, which is a concept that Rita is supremely familiar with.Porsche and electric innovationRita’s sporting progress to date has been a tale of incremental steps yet constant improvements. The same can be said for Porsche and its journey to integrate electric sportscars into its family. Each innovation, each refinement, contributes to a bigger picture. The electric Macan, with its aerodynamics optimised for driving pleasure and supreme efficiency, is part of that journey – part of a series of changes that lead to a bigger, transformative outcome.“Time can heal all,” says Rita, reflecting on her own journey of renewal. It’s the same for our planet. With a shift in mindset and an embrace of sustainable practices, we can heal and thrive. Porsche’s dedication to electric vehicles is a testament to this philosophy, ensuring that the future of driving is not only bright and exhilarating but also sustainable.Rita’s trip to Provence was about rehab and relaxation but also about realignment. Like a wave that propels you forward, the power of recharge gives you an ability to go further than you have before. For Porsche, the electric Macan is another example of its never-ending quest for innovation – of redefining what’s possible yet still preserving the essence of what makes it so unique.
Consumption and emission information Macan 4 Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 21.1 – 17.9 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A.
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