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.

19.11.2021

On the home straight.

par Gitana

This Friday morning, shortly before 07:00 UTC, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier rounded the final compulsory course mark on the 7,500-mile Ultime course. With the Brazilian archipelago of São Pedro and São Paulo now in the wake of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, the five-arrow giant has set a course for Martinique. Unfortunately for the Gitana Team duo, the 2,000 miles between them and the finish certainly won’t be a picnic. Indeed, not only will this final section involve a series of gybes synonymous with considerable physical effort for every manœuvre, but also there may well be a lack of breeze! As such, the home straight has all the ingredients of a thrilling finale to the race for the last five days. Initial ETAs (Estimated Time of Arrival) are indicating a finish between Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 November.

Gybing ballet to the finish

This morning, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild rounded the rocks of São Pedro and São Paulo. This final course mark was first negotiated on the outward leg early afternoon on 15 November by the Cammas – Caudrelier duo. In this way, the leaders of the Transat Jacques Vabre sailed from there to the Trindade and Martim Vaz archipelago and back in a time of 3 days and around 18 hours, which equates to an average speed bordering on 29 knots to cover the 2,550-mile looped circuit in the South Atlantic. The upcoming scenario looks set to change however. “Downwind conditions are due to make their return now and with it comes another game entirely”, warned Erwan Israël from Gitana Team’s weather routing cell. “There are around 2,000 miles as the crow flies between São Pedro and the finish, but it won’t be a straight-line course… For the coming days, we’ll have to make headway trapped between a no-go zone along the coast of northern Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela and the doldrums, which is stretching out to the west and blocking off the northern section of the playing field.”

The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild has once again been sailing in the northern hemisphere since this morning, but this return will be fleeting as the router explained: “there will be several equator crossings on the cards for this race finale and the number will depend on where the gybes are positioned.”

The weather set to keep the team on tenterhooks

To tackle this final 2,000-mile sprint, the Cammas – Caudrelier duo boasts a sizeable lead over its pursuers. At 10:00 UTC, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild was positioned 382.4 miles ahead of Banque Populaire XI and 499.4 miles in front of SVR – Lazartigue, second and third respectively. “We’re going to see our rivals close on us with the breeze. Indeed, because we’re blazing a trail out front, we’ll be the first to stumble into the light patch which is looming. There is a great deal of uncertainty colouring this final section as it involves the doldrums, which is also complicating matters in terms of our time of arrival. To date, there are still some discrepancies regarding the ETA as the weather models are struggling to agree! It will be between 23 and 24 November… We’ll know more on Sunday,” concluded Erwan Israël who, alongside Stan Honey, is really keen to get his teeth into these last few miles of the race and continue fine-tuning the perfect course, as they have done so far with the skippers on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild in this Transat Jacques Vabre.

VIDEO > Meet Erwan Israël and Stan Honey

Watch the video

Positions on Friday 19 November at 11:00 UTC

1. Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (F. Cammas / C. Caudrelier) 1,948.3 miles from the finish
2. Banque Populaire XI (A. Le Cléac’h / K. Escoffier) + 382.4 miles
3. SVR – Lazartigue (F. Gabart / T. Laperche) + 499.4 miles
4. Actual (Y. Le Blevec / A. Marchand) + 1,019.6 miles
5. Sodebo (T. Coville / T.Rouxel) + 1,450.6 miles

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