Maxi

Maxi

11 Seasons

The term maxi originated with the International Offshore Rule (IOR) rating system, which in the 1970s and 1980s measured offshore racing yachts and applied a single-number rating to each boat. This number was approximately equal to the sailing waterline length in feet, plus or minus speed enhancing or reducing factors in the design. A yacht with a rating of 40 feet (12 m) was generally about 47 to 52 feet (14 to 16 m) in length overall. The IOR had upper and lower rating limits of 16 feet (4.9 m) and 70 feet (21 m), so a yacht designed and built to exceed the maximum limit of 70 feet (21 m) rating was known as a maxi.

For the 2009 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia increased the IRC rating upper limit for length of hull from 98 ft to 100 ft, and most 98 ft yachts have been lengthened to this size. In order to achieve higher speeds, Maxi yachts were early adopters of modern materials and technologies such as carbonfiber, thermoformed sails, rotating wingmasts, water ballasts and canting keels. Previous smaller Maxi yachts are still raced with corrected time class victories in mind whilst the 72 ft “mini-maxi” yachts now have a class of their own.

Maxi
  • Gitana Team - Jules Verne Trophy Act 2

    Episode 1

    First two days of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild’s Jules Verne Trophy record attempt. A wet atmosphere with big seas and heavy two-way traffic amidst the cargo ships as they slip along towards Madeira, the whole scenario commented on by one of the boat’s skippers, Franck Cammas.

    Video Producer: ...

  • Gitana Team - Act 2 - The Atlantic

    Episode 2

    Maxi Edmond de Rothschild powers through the Atlantic Ocean within 10 days to hit the 'Roaring 40s. A snap shot of day three through to nine with the Gitana Team headed up by legendary French skipper, Franck Cammas. Footage: Polaryse / Gitana Team

    Video Producer: VR Sport Media

  • Gitana Team - Act 2 - Roaring Forties and Retirement

    Episode 3

    Maxi Edmond de Rothschild's attempt to break the Jules Verne record was brought to an abrupt end in the Indian Ocean not before they broke a few records and one day seven hours ahead of the current record Trophy holder. Their record attempt was stopped in its tracks when inspection of the starboa...

  • Launch of the Actual Ultim 3

    Episode 4

    The Ultim Actual 3 was launched in Lorient. The monster 32m trimaran looks amazing - Yves Le Blev commented "at each launch, we say that it is the most beautiful boat we have. But this one is simple stunning…" Yves will be at the helm of this foiler alongside the Actual team very soon.

    Video Pr...

  • Gitana Team - Making an Ocean Maxi Trimaran Fly..

    Episode 5

    Launched in 2017 after more than three years of research and two years of construction, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is the pioneer of great trimarans designed to fly offshore. Transformed from a classic Archimedean mode, with almost 50 sqm in contact with the water, to a flying mode where the 1...

  • Team Actual Leader - First flight with Actual Ultim 3!

    Episode 6

    Team Actual took out their new Maxi trimaran, Ultim 3, out flying over the water for the first time - yes the boat really making that noise - she's singing really!

    Video Producer: Team Actual Leader

  • Team Actual Take Ultim 3 For A Spin

    Episode 7

    Team Actual go for a spin in their new Maxi trimaran, Ultim 3 skippered by ocean racer legend Yves Le Blevec. Making her hum off the coast of France.

    Video Producer: Team Actual

  • Team Actual Pops Over For The RTI 2021

    Episode 8

    Team Actual took their new Maxi trimaran, Ultim 3, for spin around the island - well it was the 2021 Round The Island race. Great onboard footage of their trip across the channel - slightly behind PowerPlay, who took line honours, but great seeing the neighbours!

    Video Producer: Team Actual

  • The Fastnet Race 2021 - Part One

    Episode 9

    One of the iconic races on the planet attracting many of the top names (boat and sailor) for the dash across to Ireland and now back to Cherbourg. The Ultime trimaran foilers are leading the charge with the big monohull Maxis, Vendée Globe IMOCAs and the rest of the 337 fleet. The shackles have b...

  • Gitana Team vs The Lorient Kitefoilers

    Episode 10

    In mid-July, to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the launch of the ocean-going Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, the 32-metre flying maxi-trimaran and flagship of Gitana Team, the five-arrow team took on the top-flight clash offshore of Lorient with the cooperation of the kitefoilers from the Lorient...

  • The Fastnet Race 2021 - Part Two

    Episode 11

    Certainly a 'Highway To Hell' for many but worth it to reach Cherbourg safely! New longer course of 695nm and records set - the Fastnet 2021 Race is over. Maxi Edmond De Rothschild took one day, nine hours and fifteen minutes to race from Cowes to Cherbourg via the Rock - Cammas and Caudrelier ha...

  • Gitana Team - Maxi Edmond de Rothschild's Fastnet Challenge

    Episode 12

    Gitana Team took on the challenge once again - the Fastnet Race. This is their story of how they completed their second consecutive win of the iconic battle against the elements. One day, nine hours, fifteen minutes and fifty four seconds, they secured line honours at the finish, which concluded ...

  • Gitana Team - 5 days in Le Havre - Franck & Charles’ 5 victories

    Episode 13

    The 15th Transat Jacques Vabre get ready to set sail. Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, at the helm of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, will be on the start line in the Ultime category, where the duo is undoubtedly a firm favourite. As the countdown commences, Gitana Team produces a video mini-...

  • Gitana Team - 5 days in Le Havre - The 5 key passages of the course

    Episode 14

    The 15th Transat Jacques Vabre get ready to set sail - the 2021 edition is treating the competitors in the Ultime category to a completely unprecedented course. Race Management, orchestrated by Francis Le Goff, has devised a route spanning 7,500 nautical miles, which equates to nearly 15,000 kilo...

  • Gitana Team - 5 days in Le Havre - The 5 Ultime contenders

    Episode 15

    The 15th Transat Jacques Vabre get ready to set sail - the Gitana Team give you the low-down on the competing giants of the seas. The oceanic maxi-trimarans are making their big comeback to fleet sailing in the legendary double-handed transatlantic and, with five pretenders to outright victory, t...

  • Gitana Team - 5 days in Le Havre - The last 5 elements of the jobs list

    Episode 16

    The 15th Transat Jacques Vabre get ready to set sail - for the Gitana Team it is the last day on land. This final day very often feels like the longest of all for both the sailors and the shore crews, who are keen for the competition to get up and running. Crew on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild d...

  • Gitana Team - 5 days in Le Havre - The last 5 hours prior to the start

    Episode 17

    With the clock ticking, the Gitana Team provide an insight into the last few hours on land for the sailors of the five-arrow racing stable. The final moments with the team, their nearest and dearest, docking out, the final adjustments and finally bidding farewell to their preparateurs just minut...

  • Gitana Team - Behind the scenes of victory - Transat Jacques Vabre

    Episode 18

    On Tuesday 23 November at 14:16 UTC, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild crossed the finish line in the Transat Jacques Vabre. After more than 16 days at sea and a race finish which was particularly gruelling for the nerves, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier were finally able to express their deligh...

  • Gitana Team - Victorious transatlantic race in the skippers’ eyes

    Episode 19

    16 days 1 hour 49 minutes and 16 seconds is the time it took for Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier to take the win in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2021 in the Ultime category. The skippers of Gitana Team take you onboard the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild for the duration of the 7,500 theoretical mile...

  • 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

    Episode 20

    One of the most iconic ocean yacht races on the planet - the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. The glamour yachts were out in style on Sydney Harbour with 88 yachts taking part in the grueling 628 nautical miles south to Tasmania. Retirements and ...