The Gilles Ollier Design Team and Multiplast decorated!
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" In recognition of the design, development and construction of high performance composite multihulls ", the Gilles Ollier Design Team and Multiplast have been awarded the 2006 small craft medal by the highly prestigious Royal Institution of Naval Architects of England.
When we say small crafts, it is all rather relative. Founded in 1860, RINA is recognised worldwide. Their mission is to promote and develop the art and science of naval architecture on all levels, from pleasure yachts through to tankers and passenger liners. Gilles Ollier:

...We are naturally extremely proud to have been awarded this distinction and to have been recognised by the Anglo Saxons – it is somewhat unexpected. 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 the 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, Jet Services held the Transatlantic record for 11 years, took the first 4 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) ; then Orange I (33.00m/108ft) which won the Jules Verne Trophy in 2003 ; and Doha 2006 (33.50m/110ft), winner of 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. Gilles Ollier : " ... We are continually on the lookout for ways to innovate and gain a few percent in terms of performance. She 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...".

Ceremony

On 26th 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 6th carbon maxi multihull since 2000. This is the 32 m /105 ft long Groupama III trimaran for French skipper Franck Cammas (to VPLP designs) the launch of which 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.

The Small Craft log book since 1978
2005/ R.Allan, 2004/Olin stephens, 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.