FORTINET - BEST WESTERN

Country FR

FRA 10

Baptismal nameGitana16
ArchitectVPLP/ Verdier
Construction2015, Chantier Multiplast, Vannes
Launch date8/6/15
Former namesGitana 16 - Edmond de Rotschild, Malizia II - Yacht Club de Monaco

Presentation

Ex Mono 60 Edmond de Rothschild (Gitana 16) she is one of seven new prototypes designed by VPLP-Verdier for the Vendée Globe 2016-2017.

Launched in 2015, she was helmed by Seb Josse from Nice, who teamed up with Charles Caudrelier for the Transat Jacques Vabre. Unfortunately, the boisterous conditions forced the crew to retire as a result of rig issues. Delivered to St Barth’s, she took victory in the return transatlantic race, the B to B. The skipper then had to retire from The Transat due to snapped battens, before securing second place in the New York-Les Sables d’Olonne. In the Vendée Globe, following serious damage to the foil casing whilst in the leading group, Seb Josse was forced to retire and make for Fremantle in Australia. In March 2017, Boris Herrmann took the helm in the colours of the Yacht Club de Monaco, finishing 3rd in the Fastnet Race (with Pierre Casiraghi), then 4th in the Transat Jacques Vabre (with Thomas Ruyant). Fifth in the Route du Rhum 2018, Boris Herrmann worked assiduously to prepare for the Vendée Globe 2020-2021 (GP Guyader, Bermudes 1000 Race, Fastnet Race…), even taking the young Greta Thunberg to the USA on her, before a lacklustre Transat Jacques Vabre with Will Harris after a failed weather option. Malizia II-Yacht Club de Monaco underwent a complete overhaul in 2020 and was rechristened Seaexplorer - Yacht Club de Monaco. She took the start of the Vendée Globe 2020-2021, finishing in 5th place after colliding with a fishing boat the day before the finish. In 2021, Romain Attanasio acquires this highly sought-after VPLP Verdier design, now christened Fortinet-Best Western. He finished 7th in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Sébastien Marsset, then 17th in the Vendée Arctique Les Sables, after a European tour between Lorient, London and Lisbon. Since then, Fortinet - Best Western has racked up a string of top-10 finishes in the IMOCA Globe Series.

Length18,28
Beam5,7 m
Draught4,5 m
Weight9 tonnes
Mast height29 mètres
Mast typeWing mast
FoilsYes
Sail area max.
Upwind290 m2
Downwind490 m2

Sailing Highlights

2023 : Retour à La Base - 10th
2023 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 17th
2023 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 9th
2023 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 10th
2022 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 10th
2022 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 8th
2022 : Vendée Arctique - 17th
2021 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 7th
2021 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 9th
2021 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 6th
2020-2021 : Vendée Globe - 5th
2020 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 7th
2020 : Vendée Arctique - 7th
2019 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 12th
2019 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - DNS
2019 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 7th
2019 : Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 6th
2018 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 5th
2018 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 5th
2018 : Monaco Globe Series - 7th
2017 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 4th
2017 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 2nd
2016-2017 : Vendée Globe - Abandon le 07/12/2016
2016 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 6th
2016 : The Transat CIC - Abandon le 04/05
2015 : Transat St Barth - Port La Forêt - Winner
2015 : Transat Jacques Vabre - Abandon le 26/10
© Yann Riou - polaRYSE
© Yann Riou - polaRYSE
© Yann Riou - polaRYSE
© Yann Riou - polaRYSE
© Yann Riou - polaRYSE
© © Jean-Marie Liot / Alea
© © Jean-Marie Liot / Alea