The members of the Gitana Team

Making his appearance in the Gitana Team in 2006 as Financial and Administrative Director, Cyril Dardashti went on to become the Team Manager in 2009. A veritable conductor, he makes a melodious ensemble of all the different skill sets within the group to ensure it is as homogenous as it is high performance, thus guiding the members of Gitana towards the highest steps of the podiums.

The skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, sharing the helm with Charles Caudrelier, Franck joined the Gitana Team in 2019. Ten years after securing the legendary round the world record under sail with Groupama 3, he is setting sail once again to take on the Jules Verne Trophy! In 2010, with his crew, Franck was the first to obtain a sub-50-day record... And in 2020?

Extract from his track record / Significant victories

• Solitaire du Figaro 1997
• ORMA Champion (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
• Transat Jacques Vabre (2001, 2003, 2007)
• Discovery Route 2007
• North Atlantic Record 2007
• Jules Verne Trophy 2010
• Route du Rhum 2010 (Ultime category)
• Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012
• Sailor of the Year 2012 – 2013
• World C-Class Champion (Little America’s Cup) 2013
• Rolex Fastnet Race 2019 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild)
• Brest Atlantiques 2019 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild)
• Drheam Cup 2020 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild)

The skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, sharing the helm with Franck Cammas, Charles joined the Gitana Team in 2019. A very familiar face in crewed round the world races, double champion of the Volvo Ocean Race as crew in 2012 then as skipper in 2018, this will actually be his first Jules Verne Trophy attempt.

Extract from his track record / Significant victories

• Solitaire du Figaro 1999 (1st rookie)
• Solitaire du Figaro 2004
• Transat Jacques Vabre (2009, 2013)
• Volvo Ocean Race (2011-2012 // 2017 – 2018)
• Sailor of the Year 2018
• Rolex Fastnet Race 2019 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild)
• Brest Atlantiques 2019 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild)
• Drheam Cup 2020 (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild)

Behind the calmness and kindness that this native of Montpellier exudes, lies a very strong character. Able to manage schedules meticulously, guided by sound technical know-how and a recognised and sought-after expertise, such is Pierre Tissier’s hallmark.

Graduating from the Southampton institute of naval architecture in 2011, Sébastien Sainson joined the Gitana Team with the Multi70 Edmond de Rothschild project. Demonstrating unfailing motivation and enthusiasm and certainly not a clock-watcher, this youngster from northern France has proven his worth and earned his place within the design office, where he works on various projects for the five-arrow team.

An electronics and computing engineer in town and a trimmer at sea, Olivier Douillard is among the sailors who juggle two careers. This native of Nantes has joined the team in 2016. He brings into play his expertise in terms of the sails and the performance of the different boats.

A deck hardware and hydraulics specialist, David Boileau is one of the team’s mainstays. A solid technician and a seasoned sailor, he is the boat captain of the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild.

A trained mechanic, Alain Collecchia initially used his expertise in the domain of the big-engine rally cars. However, after ten or so years on the tarmac, he decided to treat his daughters to some fresh air, far away from Paris. In this way, he joined the offshore racing teams.

A proud Norman, Yann Le Govic joined the stable in 2004 as sailor aboard Gitana X. This is how he learned his trade as a rigger, a post that is really essential to the performance of the Gitana yachts and calls for absolute thoroughness, patience and rigour.

Meticulous and rigorous, Marie Dixneuf gives the workshop a feminine touch. As someone who has always been passionate about design and gifted at working with her hands, this native of France’s Vendée region has made carbon her speciality; a discipline in which she excels and had an opportunity to practice in the last America's Cup, sailing’s high-tech reference.

A trusty member of the "Gitana" fold, Nathalie Barbedet joined the team in 2005. Always smiling and ready to listen, she assists Cyril Dardashti with all the accounting and administrative aspects and is on hand to welcome you to Lorient, HQ to the five-arrow team.

Though he’s a native of northern France, Cyril Ducrot could be described as Gitana’s Swiss army knife. From the team’s technical logistics to the preparation of the stable’s various craft, his versatility is matched only by his good humour.