Retractable Y-shaped foils, adjustable in three dimensions

Inspired by the appendages of the America's Cup foiling monohulls, these Y-shaped foils have a wingspan of over 5 metres. They are designed to generate powerful lift, increase power and offer a wide range of adjustments to optimise flight at every point of sail and in all conditions. Beyond their impressive size, these foils feature many unique innovations.

Revolutionary U-shaped rudders

These are probably the most visually striking innovations on the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. To fly high above rough seas while maintaining control, the team wanted very long rudders that would remain in contact with the water. The challenge is that longer rudders tend to flex under load, severely affecting steering and the efficiency of their lifting surfaces. A new geometry was needed to give these appendages maximum stiffness, resist cavitation and ultimately improve control of the boat and make better use of its power. The result is a set of U-shaped rudders over 4 metres long, a metre longer than those on Gitana 17. Their shape, reminiscent of a tripod or an inverted π, is only the visible part of what makes them so distinctive.

A daggerboard optimised to stabilise the boat and limit cavitation

With its wide span, the daggerboard resembles an aircraft tail assembly, with two adjustable flaps: one on the vertical section and the other on the horizontal section, the distinctive “manta-ray wing”. On Gitana 18, the innovation is to position this wing behind the vertical part of the appendage, rather than directly beneath it, to minimise flow disturbance and cavitation.

Rig: adjustable spreaders to control mainsail power while sailing

Gitana 18’s mast is 1.50 metres taller than its predecessor’s. The boom is also shorter, creating a more slender sail plan. The major innovation is a set of spreaders that can be adjusted while sailing to bend the mast fore and aft. Actuated by hydraulic rams, these spreaders can pivot through 35 degrees to adjust the bend in the middle of the mast. This unprecedented system allows the sailor to control mainsail power: adding depth in light winds to take off sooner, or flattening the sail to reduce power at high speed or in strong winds. Adjusting the depth, and therefore the power, of the mainsail can also save a solo sailor time and energy by reducing the need for risky manoeuvres or headsail changes.

Central hull:
an integrated, structural coachroof

The naval architects and Gitana design team wanted an exceptionally stiff, structurally robust platform. This applies both to the floats, which must withstand heavy loads from the foils and rudders, and to the central hull, which is subject to torsion. The enclosed coachroof is integrated into the hull and contributes to its structural strength. Inside, the cockpit brings all sail-handling controls together, with ergonomics shaped by many hours of design and development. The coachroof also stands out for the number and size of its windows. This configuration meets the visibility requirements of the Ultim class rules and gives sailors the best possible view to keep a visual watch.

14.02.2024

Instability on the road to Recife.

par Gitana

Faster than yesterday’s routing, since midday Charles Caudrelier has been encountering the calm conditions forecast on the various weather models. While the speed has plummeted on the approach to Recife in northern Brazil, the temperature has shot up in the carbon cockpit of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild. In this section of the course, round the world sailors usually benefit from the trade wind of the southern hemisphere to quickly close on the equator. Instead, the leader of the Arkea Ultim Challenge is having to contend with a patch of very light winds, reminiscent of an early doldrums. Over the course of the morning, to mark his 38th day at sea, the five-arrow giant crossed the wake he left during his descent of the Atlantic, thus regaining the route he took offshore of Salvador de Bahia one month on!

Storms and light winds on the menu

Since midday, Charles Caudrelier has had to deal with a very shifty zone punctuated by significant storm activity. The anemometer is fluctuating according to the clouds and the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is keeping pace: polled making over 44 knots in a squall at around 13:00 UTC, two hours later he was making headway at just 5 knots… A scenario that calls for a great deal of effort from the sailor, who has to be right on top of the trimming at all times, it was nicely anticipated by Gitana Team’s routing trio and it is set to last at least as far as the north of Brazil.

Wednesday 14 February, on-board video

At daybreak, Charles Caudrelier made the most of the lovely sailing conditions to do a stocktake aboard the five-arrow giant. We get the low-down on the remaining food on day 38 at sea and the washing of warm clothes for the end of the course. He also reviews an incident that happened yesterday when his forearm got caught around one of the wind generator’s propellers. Fortunately he was more frightened than hurt.

Watch the video

Ranking at 18:00 UTC

1/ Maxi Edmond de Rothschild – Charles Caudrelier
2/ Maxi Banque Populaire XI – Armel Le Cleac’h – 1,589 miles behind the leader
3/ Sodebo Ultim 3 – Thomas Coville – 2,015.9 miles behind the leader
4/ Actual Ultim 3 – Anthony Marchand – 5,724.8 miles behind the leader
5/ Ultim Adagio – Eric Peron 6,711.2 miles behind the leader

Retirement SVR Lazartigue – Tom Laperche

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