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.

07.11.2017

The Azores this evening.

par Gitana

Leaders since the very first few hours of this 13th edition, Sébastien Josse and Thomas Rouxel are still heading the Transat Jacques Vabre fleet as it makes for Salvador de Bahia. Aboard the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, the duo negotiated the passage of a cold front to perfection last night and is now heading southwards towards the NE’ly trade winds. They boasted a 66-mile lead over their closest rival, Sodebo Ultim’, at the 15:00 UTC ranking. Having covered some 950 miles since the start in Le Havre and set to leave the Azores archipelago abeam of them tonight, Gitana 17 is keeping up the pace planned by the Josse-Rouxel duo when they cast off.

Lively nights

Already two nights have passed since the race start in Le Havre on Sunday at 12:35 UTC, and both of them have proven to be rather lively for the 37 duos competing in the Transat Jacques Vabre, particularly so for those competing in the Ultime category, which is logically leading the way towards Brazil. After the English Channel, which saw them punching into heavy seas, last night the crew of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild had a rendez-vous with the first cold front of this transatlantic sprint: “We’ve had another rather lively night with the front rolling through and big seas of 3.5 to 4 metres and winds ranging from 30 to 35 knots and more in the gusts. In the strongest breeze we recorded 38 knots. It was tough-going in the two hours after the front rolled through; we were slamming a lot and in these conditions the boat suffers a bit. Our course is in line with the routing we had at the start and now we’re on the right side of the weather system. It’s a good thing it’s behind us; we don’t like this type of passage as you’re up against shifty winds and heavy seas, which prevent you from being able to slip along. We had to be on our guard, but it was all over pretty quickly. That’s the advantage of being in a multihull!” highlighted the skipper of Gitana Team.

Getting into the Atlantic rhythm

After 48 hours at sea, the duo made up of Sébastien Josse and Thomas Rouxel has really got its bearings aboard the latest addition to the Gitana fleet, as Sébastien admitted to us at midday: “Despite the bracing conditions of the start of the race, Thomas and I have quickly got into a good rhythm. As planned, we are doing all the manœuvres and sail changes together. The rest of the time, we have relatively short watches and between us we’re managing to get some good rest. In terms of food, as always it’s great thanks to the dishes cooked up by Julien Gatillon.”

The low-down on the ranking

Credited with an 18-mile lead over the Coville-Nélias duo at 15:00 UTC yesterday, this Tuesday at the same time, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild was some 66 miles ahead of Sodebo Ultim’. Completing the trio making up the Ultime category, Prince de Bretagne is struggling somewhat with a 295-mile deficit in relation to Gitana 17. This figure can be explained by the differences in size and the technology aboard the two trimarans, but also the crew announced this morning that they’d snapped the mainsail halyard as the front rolled through. This damage isn’t damning for the next stage of the race, but Lionel Lemonchois and Bernard Stamm will be handicapped over the coming hours.

Focus on the 2 Michelin star dishes aboard Maxi Edmond de Rothschild

Since 2014 and the Route du Rhum, the Gitana Team has been working closely with Julien Gatillon, the two Michelin-starred Chef of Le 1920 restaurant in Megève. This establishment is none other than the flagship of the Mont d’Arbois domain, which has been owned by the Rothschild family for nearly 100 years. As with every race, the Chef has devised a series of recipes and specially designed some meals for Sébastien and Thomas to enjoy at sea. This association is a real guarantee of performance in the eyes of the skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, given how essential the diet is in the daily lives of these top-level athletes.

Photos from out at sea sent by Sébastien Josse and Thomas Rouxel

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Ranking at 15 :00 UTC, Ultime category – Tuesday 7 November

1 – Maxi Edmond de Rothschild – 3,410.6 miles from the finish, 28.7 knots
2 – Sodebo Ultim’ – 66.5 miles behind the leader, 26.3 knots
3 – Prince de Bretagne – 295.6 miles, 22.3 knots

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