Gitana 11, the second by that name

Within the Gitana Team, which counted among its ranks the first 60 foot trimaran to arrive in Guadeloupe in 2006, this proved to be an interesting challenge. Thanks to Baron Benjamin de Rothschild’s continued enthusiastic support and passion for oceanic multihulls, studies were able to get underway and the new Gitana 11 took shape on paper… In December 2008, the practical work could begin and Gitana 11 joined the technical platform at St Philibert yard in Brittany.

Yann Guichard, the skipper designated to helm this new craft in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group, explains the aim of this ambitious transformation work: “The aim has been to make up our deficit in relation to the large oceanic trimarans in muscly conditions, whilst retaining the characteristics of our boat in light conditions thanks to its power/weight ratio. We’ve sought to make gains in versatility”. To achieve such results, three structural operations were scheduled:

• Construction and alteration of existing floats : new floats were built in New Zealand prior to being shipped back to France. Longer but above all equipped with the latest generation shapes, the inverted bows of these floats were grafted onto the main structure over the course of the summer in the Gitana Team’s workshops.
  
  
• Extension of the central hull : the central hull was cut in front of the forward beam so as to accommodate a new 7 metre section.
  
  
• • Development of the deck layout and optimisation of the platform with a view to sailing single-handed :the helming stations were re-centred in the cockpit and protected by some brand new pods.
  

After a studious winter and ten months being refitted, the members of Gitana Team have succeeded in the initial stage of the new work. With a gain of 17 feet (over 5 metres), we will witness the “birth” of a new totally reworked maxi-trimaran for solo sailing.

On 7th September 2009: Launch of Gitana 11, the second by that name !