Multiplast awarded

G-Class maxi-multihull specialists win the Royal Institute of Naval Architect's 'small craft medal'

The Gilles Ollier Design Team and Multiplast have been awarded the 2005 small craft medal by the prestigious Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) 'In recognition of the design, development and construction of high performance composite multihulls'.

Founded in 1860, RINA is recognised worldwide, their mission to promote and develop the art and science of naval architecture on all levels, from pleasure yachts through to tankers and passenger liners.

"We are naturally extremely proud to have been awarded this distinction and to have been recognised by the Anglo Saxons - it is somewhat unexpected," says GIlles Ollier. "David Canell, an independent English expert appointed by Orange to oversee the construction of Bruno Peyron’s maxi catamaran, saw the quality of our work on site. I think I’m right in saying that since the small craft award first came into being in 1978, we are the first French shipyard to have received the distinction, following in the wake of the Americans, Canadian, Swiss, Dutch and Australians, entering into the hallowed realms of those who have been awarded this prestigious accolade…"

More than 25 years of experience and results

There is no doubting that the performances realised by the latest boats to be designed by the Gilles Ollier Design Team and to be built by Multiplast, have contributed to the award being made.

As a quick reminder, their Jet Services V held the fully crewed transatlantic record for 11 years, their boats took the first four places of in The Race 2001: the catamarans Club Med (33.50m/110ft), Innovation Explorer (33.00m/108ft), Team Adventure (32.50m/106ft) and Polpharma Warta (26.00m/85ft3in); Orange I (ex- Innovation Explorer) then won the Jules Verne Trophy in 2003 ; and Doha 2006 (ex- Club Med), won the Oryx Cup 2005. The most impressive of all was certainly the extraordinary performance of Orange II (37.80m/124ft) in 2005 when she successfully circumnavigated the planet in 50 days.

"We are continually on the lookout for ways to innovate and gain a few percent in terms of performance," says Gilles Ollier. " Orange II suffered no structural damage whatsoever. Our mutlihulls sail fast but are also highly reliable - that’s one of our major priorities. We are recognised for having attained a high level of experience in the manufacture of very large complex composite structures. It is necessary in this area as competitive sailing is an extremely demanding field. In fact, our prototypes sail between two fluids, where peak loads are very high indeed and difficult to quantify…"

On 26 April, the Gilles Ollier Design Team will be going to London to receive its award from the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. Until then, Multiplast continues to build boats, currently finishing the construction of the sixth carbon G-Class maxi-multihull since 2000. This is the 32m/105ft long Groupama III trimaran for French skipper Franck Cammas (to VPLP designs). Her launch is scheduled for the start of June. At the same time, for the Thalès group, Multiplast is producing the 4th all carbon sphere for helicopter flight simulator.

Previous Small Craft log winners since 1978

2004/R.Allan
2003/T.Nighy & F.Hartz
2002/L.Larsson & R.Eliasson
2000/P.Rolla
1999/J.Bethwaite
1998/C.A.Marchaj
1997/J.Leather
1996/A.Buchanan
1995/I.C.Howlett
1994/D.Bailey
1993/K.Sundin
1992/G.Selman,
1991/N.Irens
1988/A.Farrar
1986/R.Levi
1984/C.Mudie
1983/B.Lexcen
1981/P.Van Oossanen & E.Gifford
1979/J.Flewitt
1978/R.Heather, K.Nicholson & M Stevens.