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.

27.11.2016

First albatrosses.

par Gitana

The escort has arrived. In his video sent today from the Indian Ocean, Sébastien Josse gave us an insight into the ballet performed by the first albatrosses in his round the world. These fascinating birds, whose wingspan can reach up to three metres, have been accompanying the sailors since the boats ventured into these latitudes. The skipper of Edmond de Rothschild is rediscovering this fabulous sight, which he hasn’t had the opportunity to enjoy since his last Vendée Globe in 2008. Inevitably, the sailor is rekindling his ties with these travelling companions, which are likely to remain with him as far as Cape Horn.

These on-board images also confirm what can be seen on the charts. Indeed, the pace this morning remained slow and the reasons for this lack of breeze are the result of another ballet altogether, that of the low pressure systems this time, which are not exactly favouring the Gitana Team’s monohull.

Nocturnal gybing

The low pressure systems are turning in on themselves as they shift eastwards on the southern racetrack. Between each of these, there is a zone of transition often synonymous with very calm conditions. Whilst the leader Armel le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire VIII) and Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) are making headway at good speed on the back of a dying front, Sébastien Josse is sailing between two systems awaiting the arrival of a new low pressure system.

This smooth flowing dance of the weather phenomena is leaving him with little alternative. The deficit is stretching away and patience is the only solution in this instance. For all that, a transition doesn’t translate as inaction. Quite the contrary in fact, as the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild has been working throughout the night, putting in a series of gybes so as remain in the right corridor of breeze in readiness for the next acceleration. These manœuvres involve a great deal of concentration and effort for the solo sailor, who’s tackling his 22nd day at sea.

Change of pace this evening

The deficit with the two leading boats is growing inexorably. Despite the frustration that is part and parcel of such situations, Sébastien is digging deep and managing to keep things in perspective. Indeed, recently Vincent Riou (PRB) and Morgan Lagravière (Safran) ended up out of luck and their collisions with a UFO in the South Atlantic have cost them the race. These two favourites have had to throw in the towel and are now dockside in Cape Town, South Africa.

The skipper of Gitana 16 knows the extent to which the adventure hangs by a thread so he has learned to just grin and bear it. That said, at midday this Sunday, the wind seems to have kicked back in again. The Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild was polled making 15.1 knots at 14:00 GMT whilst its average speed over the past 24 hours has been just 7.5 knots. The hull isn’t yet planing with the albatrosses but the pace is certainly beginning to pick up. From this evening, the skipper is likely to be able to launch onto a long stretch on port tack, with which he might well be able to traverse a large section of the Indian Ocean.

Ranking on 27 November at 14:00 GMT

Armel Le Cleac’h (Banque Populaire VIII) 16,533.4 miles from the finish
Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) 3 miles behind the leader
Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) 448.3 miles behind the leader
Paul Meilhat (SMA) 787.8 miles behind the leader
Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ) 791.2 miles behind the leader
Yann Eliès (Quéguiner Leucémie Espoir) 1,083.9 miles behind the leader
Jean-Pierre Dick (St Michel – Virbac) 1,668.1 miles behind the leader

…

Retourner aux articles

Heritage