The timing comes as something of a surprise, as Gitana team skipper Charles Caudrelier will only be starting the ultimate race around the world against five other Ultims in a few weeks' time: from Brest, single-handed non-stop around the world in the Arkea Ultim Challenge Brest. The team is regarded as the top favourite to win, its ship "Edmond de Rothschild" as the best developed boat. But that seems to be the sticking point: Launched in 2017, the Tri was the first of the foiling generation and is therefore the oldest boat of its kind, with "Sodebo Ultim", "Banque Populaire XI" and "SVR Lazartigue" built after it. Until their launch, the Gitana team actually won almost all the important races, dominating the class seemingly at will until the last Transat Jacques Vabre. However, it is now becoming apparent that the newer boats, which are slowly developing their optimum performance, are on a par in some conditions and may soon be better.
That's why Gitana team owners Ariane and Benjamin Rothschild announced that they will build Gitana No. 18 at a ceremony in Paris honouring the team for its services to the nautical sector. The boat will once again be a collaboration with designer Guillaume Verdier and the Gitana engineers, and will be built at CDK in Lorient. The boat will once again be used for racing, but also for setting records. After two failed attempts, the Jules Verne Trophy for the fastest crewed circumnavigation of the world is likely to be the main target.
An improved concept has been announced, particularly for the sails, foils and aerodynamics. Reference is made to the new "visibility rule" of the Ultim class. This was presumably about the long dispute that arose over François Gabart's "SVR Lazartigue". The boat has the cockpit under a flush deck for the helmsman, and there are only small Plexiglas domes for the trimmers to see through. These did not fulfil the 360-degree view that the crew must have when sailing. After a legal dispute, Gabart even had to partially rebuild his ship. Apparently there is now a compromise in this respect that allows for more aerodynamically optimised cockpits.
Unfortunately, there are no drawings of the new boat yet, and the schedule only indicates that it will once again be a trimaran: Construction of the two beams will begin in January, the centre hull will be built from April and the floats will be manufactured from May. Assembly of the gigantic puzzle will then begin from November 24, with the launch scheduled for September 2025.
"Edmond de Rothschild" skipper Charles Caudrelier said in Paris:
"Since I joined the team as skipper in 2019, time has flown by. We are very lucky to be able to manage a number of projects and races in this way. This boat has revitalised my career and my desire to sail offshore again. After my Volvo Ocean Races, which were tough both personally and professionally, I felt a sense of fatigue. Sailing on the maxi 'Edmond de Rothschild', however, the cards were reshuffled for the first time. This boat is marvellous! Winning the Route du Rhum was a dream, this victory will always have a special place in my heart, just like my victory in the Solitaire du Figaro. The announcement of the construction of a new Maxi is inevitably great and wonderful news."
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Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
