Polarimetric observations of GRB 011211 ⋆

We present and discuss polarimetric observations performed with the VLT–UT3 (Melipal) on the afterglow of GRB 011211, ∼ 35 hours after the burst onset. The observations yielded a 3-σ upper limit of P < 2.7%. We discuss this result in combination with the lightcurve evolution, that may show a break approximately at the time of our observation. We show that our upper limit is consistent with the currently favored beamed fireball geometry, especially if the line of sight was not too close to the edge of the cone.