Ushering in new era for offshore racing

First announced in December 2023, the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, bearing the project name Gitana 18, is soon to be revealed.

At 32-metre long and 23-metre wide, the carbon giant has been taking shape hidden from view behind the doors of the CDK Keroman shed in Lorient, France.And when she splashes this coming December, her intent is not to sail around the world. It is to fly.

Every element – from foils and appendages to structure and onboard systems – has been designed to deliver stability, reliability and endurance at high speeds. More than 50,000 hours of study and 200,000 hours of construction have been dedicated to creating the platform.

“The boat will fly 100% of the time — we didn’t just adapt an existing concept; we reinvented it,” said Sébastien Sainson, Head of the Gitana Design Office.

Cyril Dardashti, Managing Director of the team, adds, “Thousands of hours of modelling and simulation pushed us to challenge every assumption. The result is a maxi-trimaran built from the keel up for sustained offshore foiling, with the potential to redefine ocean racing.

“Our team principal, Ariane de Rothschild, set us an ambitious goal and a clear roadmap when she decided to build a new boat. It’s a formidable challenge, but one that inspires us at Gitana Team, where a culture of innovation and pushing limits defines the way we work.”

Originally scheduled for launch earlier this year, the unveiling was deliberately postponed to ensure the boat met the team’s exacting standards. For Gitana, time is an investment in performance.

Charles Caudrelier, skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, is clear on the value of patience: “To race around the world at 40 knots, you need complete trust in your machine. Taking the extra months to refine Gitana 18 is not a delay but a commitment. What we will reveal in December is not just a boat, but a finely tuned ecosystem designed for speed, resilience and victory.”

From the vision of naval architect Guillaume Verdier to the skills of foil builders and composite experts across Europe, Gitana 18 reflects international excellence brought together under one roof.

To share this process with the public, the team has produced the G18 NDA video series, offering rare behind-the-scenes access to the conception, construction and artistic identity of the new boat – a narrative that highlights both the global expertise involved and the collaborative spirit of the Gitana project.

Gitana 18 arrives one year after Gitana 17’s landmark solo victory in the Arkea Ultim Challenge, a defining achievement for offshore sailing. As Gitana 17 begins a new chapter with Team Actual, Gitana 18 takes her place as the 28th boat in the Rothschild lineage, extending a story that spans nearly 150 years — a legacy that will be celebrated in 2026 with the 150th anniversary of the very first Gitana.

The unveiling is planned for December 2025, when the trimaran will be presented to the public before embarking on a new sporting chapter, with major offshore races and record attempts ahead — including the next Route du Rhum, where the team will line up to defend its title.

Source: Gitana