With less than sixty days till the start of the 13th Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe, everything is switching up a gear! This is all the more true for reigning champion Charles Caudrelier and the Gitana Team with their highly innovative maxi-trimaran launched just eight months ago. Keen to dictate the pace, the five-arrow racing stable has opted to prioritise preparation and technical tweaking of the 32-metre giant rather than lining up for the September clashes. As such, the Route du Rhum will be the first major race for the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. Indeed, with Charles Caudrelier aiming to defend his crown’, he naturally has his sights on taking the start in Saint Malo at the helm of a competitive giant able to contend with some very honed rivals spoiling for a fight.

Launched on 14 February 2026, the all-new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild navigated a decisive milestone in her development phase this week. Kitted out with her first foil a swinging Y-shaped appendage of unprecedented proportions inspired by the America’s Cup monohulls -, the 32-metre giant has put in her first tacks in flight mode. Her performance is all the more remarkable given the particularly light conditions on Monday with between 10 and 13 knots offshore of the Breton island of Belle-Île. With five months to go until Gitana 18’s first major sports meet, the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe, reigning champion Charles Caudrelier is stepping up his preparations.

Since her launch on 14 February 2026, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild’s initial sea trials have been eagerly awaited. Witnessing the 32-metre giant set a course for the open ocean and the crew finally hoist the sails of this project that began in late 2022, was a truly momentous occasion for all the team on Tuesday morning. Working tirelessly over recent weeks, once the standard static tests for any new boat were complete the shore team busied themselves with tweaking the mechanical systems and putting the finishing touches to the on-board hydraulics and electronics. A symbolic moment, the first miles offshore also heralded the start of Charles Caudrelier’s preparations for the main sporting objective of the season.

After more than two years in build, Gitana 18 is assuming the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild mantle. In early December, the very bold architectural concept behind this new flying maxi-trimaran was unveiled in spectacular fashion by Ariane de Rothschild. This Saturday, the launch marks the end of one cycle and the beginning of life on the water for the 32-metre giant. Today, 14 February, the wind and rain abated to offer the five-arrow team a brief respite for the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild to make the transition into the liquid element. Fans of sailing and offshore racing were out in force to celebrate the arrival of this new giant oceanic multihull, the first of the 2nd generation of flying Ultims.