Inspired by the appendages of the America's Cup foiling monohulls, these Y-shaped foils have a wingspan of over 5 metres. They are designed to generate powerful lift, increase power and offer a wide range of adjustments to optimise flight at every point of sail and in all conditions. Beyond their impressive size, these foils feature many unique innovations.
These are probably the most visually striking innovations on the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. To fly high above rough seas while maintaining control, the team wanted very long rudders that would remain in contact with the water. The challenge is that longer rudders tend to flex under load, severely affecting steering and the efficiency of their lifting surfaces. A new geometry was needed to give these appendages maximum stiffness, resist cavitation and ultimately improve control of the boat and make better use of its power. The result is a set of U-shaped rudders over 4 metres long, a metre longer than those on Gitana 17. Their shape, reminiscent of a tripod or an inverted π, is only the visible part of what makes them so distinctive.
With its wide span, the daggerboard resembles an aircraft tail assembly, with two adjustable flaps: one on the vertical section and the other on the horizontal section, the distinctive “manta-ray wing”. On Gitana 18, the innovation is to position this wing behind the vertical part of the appendage, rather than directly beneath it, to minimise flow disturbance and cavitation.
Gitana 18’s mast is 1.50 metres taller than its predecessor’s. The boom is also shorter, creating a more slender sail plan. The major innovation is a set of spreaders that can be adjusted while sailing to bend the mast fore and aft. Actuated by hydraulic rams, these spreaders can pivot through 35 degrees to adjust the bend in the middle of the mast. This unprecedented system allows the sailor to control mainsail power: adding depth in light winds to take off sooner, or flattening the sail to reduce power at high speed or in strong winds. Adjusting the depth, and therefore the power, of the mainsail can also save a solo sailor time and energy by reducing the need for risky manoeuvres or headsail changes.
The naval architects and Gitana design team wanted an exceptionally stiff, structurally robust platform. This applies both to the floats, which must withstand heavy loads from the foils and rudders, and to the central hull, which is subject to torsion. The enclosed coachroof is integrated into the hull and contributes to its structural strength. Inside, the cockpit brings all sail-handling controls together, with ergonomics shaped by many hours of design and development. The coachroof also stands out for the number and size of its windows. This configuration meets the visibility requirements of the Ultim class rules and gives sailors the best possible view to keep a visual watch.
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Steamers, sailing yachts and multihulls: explore the 26 boats in the Gitana line, from La Gitana to Gitana 18.
Steamship - 24.45 m
Julie’s first steamer, assembled in Morges.
Steamship - 37 m
Record average speed: 26.34 knots in 1898.
Steel monohull - 20.34 m
Acquired by Edmond de Rothschild in 1960.
Wooden monohull, yawl - 27.57 m
Fastnet 1965: 81 hours and 40 minutes.
Aluminium Class I monohull - 18.29 m
Competed in the Admiral’s Cup in 1971.
Aluminium sloop - 20 m
A family yacht for racing and cruising.
Aluminium Two Tonner monohull - 12.50 m
Winner of the 1979 Two Ton Cup.
6 Metre monohull - 10.14 m
Winner of the 6 Metre Coupe de France in 1986.
6 Metre monohull - 11 m
Three 6 Metre yachts for Benjamin de Rothschild.
Class A Mini Maxi monohull - 21.64 m
Winner of the Nioulargue in 1984.
Aluminium 8 Metre monohull - 13.60 m
8 Metre world champion in 1986.
Fibreglass and teak cruising monohull - 12.21 m
A cruising yacht for Lake Geneva.
Formula 40 catamaran - 12.18 m
Benjamin discovers catamaran sailing.
60-foot Open multihull - 18.28 m
Benjamin’s first ocean-going trimaran, acquired in 1999.
ORMA 60 multihull - 18.28 m
The first boat built for Gitana Team.
ORMA 60 multihull - 18.28 m
Route du Rhum 2006: victory for Lionel Lemonchois.
ORMA 60 multihull - 18.28 m
Training a crew of young sailors.
Maxi catamaran - 32.8 m
Seven ocean records set in 2008.
Figaro Bénéteau - 10.10 m
Thierry Duprey du Vorsent on the Figaro circuit.
IMOCA 60 monohull - 18.28 m
The Transat 2008: victory for Loïck Peyron.
40-foot catamaran - 12.19 m
Extreme Sailing Series, from 2009 to 2012.
70-foot multihull - 21.20 m
A testbed for future foiling multihulls.
Foiling catamaran - 10 m
A GC32 for foiling training.
IMOCA 60 monohull (first foiling generation) - 18.28 m
Sébastien Josse’s foiling IMOCA.
Foiling maxi multihull - 33 m
Trials with Gitana XV pave the way for this Ultime.
Foiling Ultim maxi trimaran - 32 m
Launched in 2026, Gitana 18 continues the offshore foiling adventure with a new generation of maxi trimarans.