Gitana Team and North Sails Performance clothing join forces to conquer offshore racing in 2021
by North Sails Performance 13 Aug 2021 14:00 UTC
Gitana, Maxi Edmond de Rothschild © Eloi Stichelbaut
The Gitana Team, an offshore racing stable founded in 2000 by Ariane and Benjamin de Rothschild, has announced its selection of North Sails Performance clothing.
North Sails Performance is the new game-changing range of technical foul weather gear and deck wear designed alongside technical sailing clothing designer Nigel Musto.
During the Rolex Fastnet Race 2021, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild crew, led by their co-skippers Charles Caudrelier and Franck Cammas, had the opportunity to showcase the new technical gear during their second consecutive victory. At the end of this year, the six-strong crew will launch an attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy, the ultimate sailing record, which they aim to achieve under the symbolic 40 days mark. However, before that, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild skippers will be enjoying a long double-handed transatlantic - the Transat Jacques Vabre - a 7,500-mile race from Le Havre to Martinique via the Trindade archipelago and Matim Vaz off Rio de Janeiro. The field of Ultimes entered looks set to provide thrilling competition.
"To support our ambitious round-the-world racing program, we have chosen to trust North Sails Performance. The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild was the first oceanic maxi-trimaran designed to fly on the high seas; it marks a new generation of multihulls and opens a new way of offshore racing. We are deeply attached to this pioneering spirit, as well as to the innovation and performance that are part of the family DNA of our shipowners Ariane and Benjamin de Rothschild. As a result, we have every confidence in the performance of this new generation of North Sails technical clothing." - Cyril Dardashti, CEO Gitana Team.
For complete foul weather protection, the Gitana Team has purchased the North Sails Performance Offshore Smock, Offshore Jacket, and Ocean Trousers for their crew. Additionally, Gitana has selected the Inshore Race range, which is well suited to the protection offered by the 32-meter giant's enclosed cockpit. Items chosen include the Inshore Race Hybrid Jacket and Inshore Race Smock. Finally, Gitana has also selected items from the GP Aero range, constructed in a slim, stretch fit - ideal clothing for those who view sailing as a truly athletic sport.
"We're very proud that the Gitana Team has chosen to wear our kit, we set out to make the best foul weather gear in the world, and it's a very special day at the office when a world-dominating team like Gitana confirms that you've achieved your goal. Of course, all at North Sails will be cheering them on very loudly as they hunt down their targets," Marisa Selfa, CEO of North Sails Apparel, added.