Groundbreaking boat to get first test

The Route du Rhum is a legendary single-handed transatlantic yacht race held every four years, with the 2026 edition to start November 1 off Saint-Malo, France. There are 115 entrants competing on the 3,542 nm course to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, and Matthew Sheahan with PlanetSail files this video report about one of particular interest:

I’ve sailed some extraordinary high-performance boats over the years, but the 100-foot Gitana 18 is on another level. Having followed this remarkable project from the earliest design stages, I was invited aboard to sail her and take the helm.

With the Route du Rhum fast approaching, we were given a rare opportunity to join Charles Caudrelier and the Gitana team for one of their final days of sea trials off Lorient, France.

From her extraordinary foiling systems and innovative rudders to the remarkably light and responsive steering, Gitana 18 represents a major step forward in the development of offshore racing trimarans.

The Route du Rhum will be Gitana 18’s first major competitive test, and with so much anticipation surrounding this groundbreaking boat, all eyes will be on how she performs.