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.

22.11.2016

In the breakaway group.

par Gitana

Crazy times for the Vendée Globe fleet, who today lost one of its favourites following the retirement of Vincent Riou. The news came in midway through this afternoon that the skipper of PRB has been forced to retire from the race after suffering keel damage resulting from a collision with a UFO (Unidentified Floating Object). This second withdrawal from the 2016-2017 edition serves as a reminder of how tough a mechanical sport this offshore racing can be. For front runner Sébastien Josse, the race continues. Lying in second place behind Alex Thomson since yesterday, the skipper of the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild is positioned 94.7 miles astern of the British boat this Tuesday at 17:00 GMT, forming a tight pack with Armel Le Cléac’h, currently in 3rd. For now, this trio is managing to keep ahead of the front, which has been propelling it along towards the Cape of Good Hope since last weekend.

At the start of this 17^th day of racing, the majority of the competitors in the Vendée Globe are continuing to make headway towards the first major cape of this round the world, Good Hope, at the western tip of South Africa. However, in these southern latitudes, the unusual weather patterns evidenced by a Saint Helena High that is untypically far South and East, are not without their share of surprises. Indeed, this Tuesday 22 November is marked by a fresh split in the outposts.

Hanging on in there

Since last Friday, which is when the head of the fleet – that then comprised seven boats – hooked onto a low offshore of Rio de Janeiro, the atmosphere has been that of a drag race across the South Atlantic. Benefiting from a sequence of weather systems worthy of a scenario snapped up by record hunters, this band of leaders has enjoyed a series of fine days of sailing with daily average distances bordering on 500 miles.

For over three days, the sailors have spared no effort in holding onto the benefits of this generous front, managing to stay ahead of it and thus making the most of the N’ly winds and a more manageable sea.

However, this zone of low pressure is moving faster than the monohulls and one by one the solo sailors have seen the system roll over the top of them and leave them floundering on the wayside. Benefiting from their lead at the head of the pack, for now, solely Banque Populaire VIII, Edmond de Rothschild and Hugo Boss are still managing to keep up the pace. At 17:00 GMT, the trio was making headway at an average speed of 20 knots whilst the speeds of its pursuers were dropping off sharply. They’re no longer in the same system and the bill is a steep one.

For Sébastien Josse and his two fellow escapees, the goal is clear: to make headway as fast as possible ahead of the front. Indeed, though they know that their impending fate is inevitable as they too get swallowed up by the system, before stumbling into what promises to be a rather tricky transition zone, they are all too aware how important any miles gained over their rivals will be for attacking the Southern Ocean. As such, they are digging deep!

The Deep South beckons

Currently sailing at 37°43 South, the atmosphere is changing quickly aboard the latest of the Gitana fleet. On Sunday, Sébastien Josse was still describing perfect sailing conditions in light clothing at 25°C. This afternoon though, in a video sent back to shore, we discover the sailor sporting a hat, a sign that the temperatures had plummeted.

Ranking on 22 November at 17:00 GMT

Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) 18,359.1 miles from the finish
Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) 94.7 miles behind the leader
Armel Le Cleac’h (Banque Populaire VIII) 97.4 miles behind the leader
Morgan Lagravière (Safran) 257.3 miles behind the leader
Paul Meilhat (SMA) 405.6 miles behind the leader
Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ) 528.4 miles behind the leader
Yann Eliès (Quéguiner Leucémie Espoir) 950.2 miles behind the leader

Retourner aux articles

Heritage