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.

30.05.2019

The ArMen Race Uship by way of an introduction.

par Gitana

Relaunched just a week ago after a six-month reconstruction, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is setting sail this Thursday at 16:30 hours local time on the ArMen Race Uship. This multi-class race, which groups together both professionals and amateurs at the start in La Trinité sur Mer and the Baie de Quiberon, is the first official showdown of 2019 for the flying maxi-trimaran. True to form, her two skippers have opted to get straight to the heart of the matter and utilise the 200-nautical mile coastal course to kickstart their training and get a feel for the latest addition to the Gitana fleet.

In the mix

Yesterday, offshore of Lorient, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier went for their very first sail at the helm of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild; a much-awaited moment for the two newly appointed sailors. The first shakedown went like clockwork and the pair confirmed on their return dockside that they wished to join the fleet of Ultimes – Sobedo Ultim 3 and Actual Leader – the following day. “Yesterday was a very good first day. The medium conditions were almost perfect for going through as many elements as possible and experiencing our first sensations of flight. The boat is extremely powerful and very much on and even keel. I was pleasantly surprised at the helm”, admitted Franck Cammas. “We had the ArMen Race in the back of our minds, but we needed to keep on track with what is a tight and ambitious time schedule. The team has got right on top of that because, despite the intensity of yesterday, the boat is ready to go sailing and we have no problems to report. Things are heading in the right direction and I hope that we’ll very quickly be able to focus on the details that make the difference. With this timing, we’re not yet sorted for a race approach, so this race is more about setting the boat up, but it’s always more effective to go through this process in race mode and, if possible, with a few rivals in our vicinity. A night at sea is always good for testing the systems, getting your bearings with regards life aboard and above all clocking up some time on the water, which is a good place to start from. Unfortunately, there won’t be a lot of wind.”

220 miles and one night

With a light breeze forecast, Race Management in charge of the ArMen Race has opted to offer a course reduction, which will consist of a sprint towards La Chaussée de Sein and back, which equates to 220 nautical miles. For all that, this coastal course remains very demanding for the giants like the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, as the crew will likely have to be embroiled in a constant stream of manœuvres. “There’s a zone of high pressure, which is climbing up from the South and is set to pass southern Brittany tonight. Setting out from La Trinité, we’ll probably have the maximum breeze for this course, with 12 knots of W’ly wind expected. This breeze will ease over the course of the evening just as we head northwards. It should pick up again from the SE the following morning, but between the two systems, a windless transition zone is a possibility. The passage to the South of La Chaussée de Sein is scheduled for daybreak tomorrow and the sprint for home will involve a beat in around ten knots of wind. A thermal breeze may well colour play, but here too the overcast skies may well put paid to its installation. Today, the routing is slow in relation to the potential of our machines, with our return scheduled for between Friday night and Saturday morning,” explained the skipper of the latest Gitana.

The Ultimes are due to exit the channel from La Trinité-sur-Mer at 16:30 hours. The three giants will be the last boats in the fleet to set sail and will then have to pick their way through a fleet of some one hundred and eighty competitors announced for this 2019 edition.

The crew of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild

Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier – Skippers Edmond de Rothschild
Gwénolé Gahinet, Erwan Israël, David Boileau, Olivier Douillard, Yann Riou

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