The new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild trimaran has entered the water after months of construction and testing. Gitana unveiled the 32‑metre vessel on the 3rd of December, showcasing a radically new design and advanced appendages. The boat sets new performance goals for offshore multihulls, with a focus on fully foiling sailing.
Gitana says the trimaran aims to lead a new generation of faster ocean‑racing craft. The launch from the yard marks the start of the next phase before sea trials and competitive sailing.
Gitana has invited the public to see the vessel’s first journey to the pontoons at Lorient La Base on Saturday, the 14th of February, weather permitting. Further details, including timing, will be released soon.
Design teams from Gitana and Verdier pursued an ambitious innovation programme. The hull platform adapts with multiple moving components to match sailing modes and conditions.
Foils are retractable, Y‑shaped and adjustable in three dimensions, inspired by America’s Cup monohulls. These foils span more than five metres and are intended to boost lift, power and fine‑tuning. The trimaran also features new U‑shaped rudders designed to reduce cavitation at high speeds.
A large central daggerboard offers a broad lifting plane unlike anything seen on similar trimarans. For the first time at this scale, the rig includes dynamically adjustable spreaders to fine‑tune mainsail power under load. Gitana says the integrated cockpit and coachroof enhance stiffness and structural performance.
Simulator data suggest a projected speed improvement of 10–15 per cent. Next steps include sailing practice, refinement and mastering the new platform in offshore conditions.
The boat is the 28th in the Gitana lineage. The team marks 150 years of the programme in 2026.
Gitana reports 200,000 hours of construction, 50,000 hours of R&D, and involvement from over 200 specialists. Around 80% of the platform was made in an autoclave, with 36 months from concept to completion.
