The new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild has completed its first full foiling runs off the Brittany coast, marking a major milestone in the development of Gitana 18 ahead of this year’s Route du Rhum.
The 32-metre offshore racing giant achieved stable flight this week after being fitted with its first hydrofoil, a Y-shaped appendage inspired by America’s Cup monohulls. Sailing in light winds of 10 to 13 knots near Belle-Île, skipper Charles Caudrelier and the Gitana Team managed to lift the 19-tonne trimaran clear of the water during sea trials on Monday.
Airborne Giant – The 32-metre Gitana 18 sails fully foiling during sea trials near Belle-Île as Charles Caudrelier builds towards the Route du Rhum. Photo: Yann Riou
The boat was launched in February and is preparing for its competitive debut in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, which starts in November.
Caudrelier said the latest-generation Ultim feels “completely different” from its predecessor. “We knew Gitana 17 inside out. Here, everything is new,” he said.
“The boat is very stiff and responsive, which is exactly what we expected. After a few minutes finding the right settings, the Maxi took off and 20 minutes later our flight was stable.”
The new hydrofoils are among the most ambitious elements of the project. The appendages have a total wingspan of more than 10 metres and arrived later than planned due to their technical complexity.
Spray Flight – A close-up of Gitana 18’s giant Y-shaped foil in action during the trimaran’s first successful flying tests off the Brittany coast this week. Photo: E.Stichelbaut
Caudrelier said the delay allowed the team to focus on other systems onboard, including the spreader mast, electric steering and a newly developed autopilot. “The Route du Rhum starts in five months. The deadlines are tight and every moment counts,” he said. “To be in a position to win races, Gitana 17 required two years of fine-tuning. But today we can also draw on the team’s experience and expertise.”
Gitana Team director Cyril Dardashti described the first flights as a “significant milestone” for the programme. “More than the flight itself, it is the way in which this first took place that gives us a great deal of confidence for the future,” he said. “On Monday, in less than 30 minutes, the crew managed to find the right mode and make the initial adjustments to achieve stable flight.”
He added that achieving stable foiling so quickly was a major step forward compared to the development of Gitana 17.
Over the coming weeks, the port-side foil will be installed before the team begins more intensive offshore training sessions ahead of the Route du Rhum start in Saint-Malo on 1 November.
