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.

09.11.2016

Gybe ho!.

Sixth at lunchtime, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild has made up four places between two rankings and has been lying in second position since 14:00 GMT, some 13.7 miles astern of Banque Populaire VIII. Great work by Sébastien Josse as the head of the Vendée Globe fleet continues to negotiate an offshoot of the Azores High, which has managed to t…

par Gitana

They’ve all been to the school of patience. When you’re a sailor, a racer, you have to know how to play with what mother nature offers you and remain inspired even when she gets on your nerves. Everyone’s keeping an eye out for the moment where the NE’ly breeze will finally kick in, which will be a sign that the much awaited tradewind is beginning to blow and that they can begin slipping along.

Hunting down the wind shift by getting some westerly separation seems to be bearing fruit. Behind the leader Armel Le Cléac’h, whose lead shrinks by a few miles at every ranking, Paul Meilhat was first to move up into second place, before the skipper of the five-arrow stable took it off him a handful of hours further down the track.

In a close-contact race worthy of a confrontation in the bay of Port-La-Forêt (Le Cléac’h, Josse, Meilhat and Beyou within 19 miles of one another), it is good to keep a steady head with the rankings and above all be patient. Indeed, it’s a particularly close fought match that isn’t about to come to an end any time soon.

However, the important thing this evening is to be nicely positioned before putting pedal to the metal. Indeed, though the situation is in line with the forecasts, the tradewind isn’t very far off now and there will likely be a gybe to put in over the course of tonight. At that point, the speedo will really start spinning and the front runners will begin a part of the course that is generally synonymous with good average speed before the next tricky section, the Doldrums.

That’s why it’s important to be in the right group as the leaders will be able to lengthen their stride and any miles gained here will be hard to make up. Aboard Gitana 16, the skipper is naturally satisfied with his position this evening and is ready for a run that has been very hard fought.

Ranking on 9 November at 17:00 GMT

1. Armel Le Cleac’h (Banque Populaire VIII) 23,471 from the finish
2. Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) 13.7 miles astern of the leader
3. Paul Meilhat (SMA) 15.8 miles astern
4. Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ) 19.2 miles astern
5. Morgan Lagravière (Safran) 22.2 miles astern
6. Vincent Riou (PRB) 22.5 miles astern
7. Jean-Pierre Dick (St Michel – Virbac) 25.2 miles astern
8. Yann Eliès (Gueguiner – Leucémie Espoir) 32.8 miles astern
9. Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) 33.3 miles astern
…

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