Gitana 11 - Technicians give the maxi-trimaran 'the once over'

by Kate Jennings - Expression on 1 Oct 2009
Initial sensations aboard Gitana 11.

Since the new Gitana 11 was launched on 7th September, Yann Guichard and the Gitana Team’s technical crew have been out for a number of test sails aboard the 77 foot maxi-trimaran.

Indeed, whilst the base has remained the same and is a known quantity, the transformation of various sections of the multihull is such that everything has had to be reviewed: checking and validating the various options taken, reassessing of the boat’s overall balance as well as determining whether there is a need for any improvements over the coming winter.

Just back from Amsterdam, where, with the crew of Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group, he racked up his second win in the Extreme 40 circuit at the weekend, Yann Guichard was immediately back at the helm of Gitana 11 to continue the new maxi-trimaran’s test sailing programme. From the sails through to the hydraulics, the electronics and even the structure of the boat itself, nothing has been left to chance as over the past three weeks, one after the other, the technicians have been right through the craft equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild.

As exciting as they are stressful, such are the high hopes in play with a new boat, these initial test sails provide an opportunity to make the first assessment: 'Our first test sails have been highly satisfactory as, despite the extension and the resulting extra weight, we have managed to conserve the assets of a 60 footer. This means that the power/weight compromise has been well managed. For the time being, we haven’t yet had the opportunity to sail in the open ocean and the whole team is keen to experience some rather more muscly weather conditions: indeed we’re very much looking forward to seeing how Gitana 11 behaves in the waves as it was one of the principle focuses in the boat’s transformation' admits Yann Guichard.

Modified to defend her title in the next Route du Rhum and consequently dedicated to solo sailing, initial conclusions about her couldn’t be drawn in full without the first solo sail off La Trinité-sur-Mer in SW Brittany… Today’s the day for that though as this Wednesday morning Yann Guichard was alone in setting sail for a few hours aboard his maxi-trimaran.

Gitana 11: the history and the numbers
Built in 2001, under the name of Belgacom, this 60 foot trimaran joined the Gitana stable in 2004, where she became Gitana 11. Successively helmed by Frédéric le Peutrec and Lionel Lemonchois, this multihull won great acclaim in November 2006 when the latter skipper drove her to victory in the legendary Route du Rhum 2006. After a two year transition and following the publication of the notice of race for the Route du Rhum 2010 – which is opening the event to G Class maxis – the decision was taken to modify Gitana 11 to remain competitive in relation to her more sizeable adversaries. The basic premise is as follows: '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 resolve this equation, three major structural modifications were decided on:
- A change in the existing floats and construction of replacements in New Zealand
- Extension of the central hull
- Development of the deck layout and optimisation of the platform with a view to solo sailing

Gitana 11 in figures: from 60 to 77 foot

Version 2006 Version 2009
LOA 18.28 m (60’) 23.51 (77’)
Beam 18.10 m 18.31 m
Air draft 30.40 m 30.43 m
Water draft 5 m 5 m
Weight 6.1 tonnes 7 tonnes
Mainsail 190 m2 190 m2
Solent 120 m2 120 m2
Gennaker 260 m2 260 m2


Gitana Team website: http://www.gitana-team.com