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.

26.11.2019

At the gateway to the trade winds.

par Gitana

The Brest Atlantiques fleet celebrated three weeks at sea this Tuesday! For the leader, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, this also coincided with a round number since at 07:00 UTC this morning, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier had completed 75% of the course. As such, the 32-metre giant fitted out by Ariane and Benjamin de Rothschild is now positioned some 3,400 miles from the north-west tip of Brittany. In the South Atlantic, which the sailors are beginning to freely describe as monotonous, the hierarchy hasn’t shifted for days. Indeed, at the last position report, Gitana 17 was 415.4 miles ahead of Actual Leader and 912.2 miles in front of Macif.

On the South Atlantic chessboard, the three giants still racing have advanced their pawns. A firm fixture at the front of the pack, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is leading play on a more or less direct course. Some 400 miles astern, but further to the East, we find Actual Leader, whilst Macif has chosen a much more radical option to the West. In terms of speed, at the 15:00 UTC position report, François Gabart and Gwénolé Gahinet were beginning to reap the rewards of their course, though they still lamented a deficit of over 900 miles in relation to Charles Caudrelier and Franck Cammas. In fact, whilst the latest Gitana was sailing at 4°48 South, level with the latitude of Fortaleza in North-East Brazil, its rival was at 20°37 South. A contrast which is all the more striking given that on this 22^nd day at sea in the Brest Atlantiques, the men on Gitana were finally beginning to feel the first signs of the long-awaited SE’ly trade winds!

“The time it’s taking to reach the equator is dragging on this occasion! At the same time, we’re coming at it from a long way off. We’re coming from Cape Town. The gateway’s not in our immediate vicinity. To reach it we’re going to sail 800 miles to the West. We’re going to end up closer to America than Africa!” explained Franck Cammas.

Whatever happens, the coming days and the famous passage through the Doldrums are still shaping up to be very intense. The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is set to make her return to the northern hemisphere on Thursday morning at the latest, which equates to eighteen days after her passage on the outward leg.

=> TODAY’S VIDEO

A world of contemplation despite the competition

For over twenty-two days, the competition in the Brest Atlantiques has been intense. Topping the leader board since passing Rio de Janeiro, over twelve days ago, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier are allowing themselves little respite despite the lead they’ve amassed in relation to their pursuers: 415.4 miles ahead of Actual Leader and 912.2 in front of Macif. However, as fans of wide open spaces the skippers of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild know how to relish the seascapes and colours currently offered up to them in the middle of the South Atlantic. Once again, Yann Riou treats us to some fabulous images!

Watch the video

Ranking on 26 November 2019 at 15:00 UTC

1. MAXI EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD (Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier / Yann Riou) – distance to the goal: 3,406.6 miles – average speed over the past 30 mins: 21.2 knots

2. ACTUAL LEADER (Yves Le Blevec / Alex Pella / Ronan Gladu) – 415.5 miles behind the leader – average speed over the past 30 mins: 15.8 knots

3.MACIF (François Gabart / Gwenolé Gahinet / Jérémie Eloy) – 912.2 miles behind the leader – average speed over the past 30 mins: 26.8 knots

RETIREMENT – SODEBO ULTIM 3 (Thomas Coville / Jean-Luc Nelias / Martin Keruzoré)

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