Groundbreaking boat to get first test

The Route du Rhum is a legendary single-handed transatlantic yacht race held every four years, with the 2026 edition to start November 1 off Saint-Malo, France. There are 115 entrants competing on the 3,542 nm course to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, and Matthew Sheahan with PlanetSail files this video report about one of particular interest:

I’ve sailed some extraordinary high-performance boats over the years, but the 100-foot Gitana 18 is on another level. Having followed this remarkable project from the earliest design stages, I was invited aboard to sail her and take the helm.

With the Route du Rhum fast approaching, we were given a rare opportunity to join Charles Caudrelier and the Gitana team for one of their final days of sea trials off Lorient, France. – Full report and video