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.

07.11.2019

The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild leads the way southwards.

par Gitana

Life is passing by at high speed for the sailors competing in the Brest Atlantiques. Having set sail late morning on Tuesday from the tip of Brittany, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild and her three rivals were already at the latitude of Madeira this morning. At the 19:00 UTC ranking, the latest addition to the Gitana fleet was consolidating her lead at the head of the fleet, some 43 miles in front of the second placed boat and had passed the latitude of the Canaries. And yet, even though the sequence of weather systems is favourable for fine average speeds, it’s no expressway the 32-metre giants are thundering down in their bid to gain southing, as testified by the lively night endured by the Caudrelier / Cammas duo.

A night amidst the squalls of Madeira

The second night for the duo aboard Edmond de Rothschild in the Brest Atlantiques was far from restful. “We had a hard night of it! The shifts (in wind) were so quick, we were still waiting to gybe. As a result we were going every which way… Now the skies have cleared so it’s better, it’s consistent. But it’s not easy” admitted Franck Cammas. This sentiment was shared by Charles Caudrelier, who even admitted that he hadn’t been able to get any rest in what were stressful conditions for getting the boat making headway: “You can’t see the small squalls in the satellite photos or at night either. This morning, I began to make them out and I said to myself that we were never going to manage it! The squall must have been making headway with us the whole night…”

In fact, the first to gybe southwards, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier had to battle away for most of the night to keep on top of the shifty winds caused by the numerous squalls in the sector surrounding the Portuguese archipelago. However, it proved to be a worthwhile pursuit, as they’ve since been leading the fleet of Ultims.

Yann Riou, the on-board media man gives us an insight into the intimacy of these few hours of toil.

Watch the video

Message received from our media man about life on-board

“Yesterday we removed our first fleece layers. This morning, it’s really nice weather. It’s very pleasant on deck. For my part, I spend a fair amount of time down below in the central hull when I’m working or resting. My bunk is a few metres from the engine. The first night, when we ran the engine to charge the batteries, it heated up the surrounding atmosphere and it was rather pleasant. A back-up heater! Last night though, the temperature rose enough to warrant the use of a small fan installed above my work station… as such I fear our arrival in the tropics somewhat.”

Ranking on Thursday 7 November at 19:00 UTC

1.MAXI EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD (Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier / Yann Riou) – distance to the goal: 12,235 miles – average speed over the last 30 mins: 29.7 knots

2.MACIF (François Gabart / Gwenolé Gahinet / Jérémie Eloi) – 43.3 miles behind the leader – average speed over the last 30 mins: 31.6 knots

3.SODEBO ULTIM 3 (Thomas Coville / Jean-Luc Nelias / Martin Keruzoré) – 147.3 miles behind the leader – average speed over the last 30 mins: 16.1 knots

4.ACTUAL LEADER (Yves Le Blevec / Alex Pella / Ronan Gladu) – 317.7 miles behind the leader – average speed over the last 30 mins: 26.2 knots

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