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

Flirting with the high pressure.

par Gitana

After setting sail from Les Sables d’Olonne on Sunday at 12:02 GMT, the Vendée Globe competitors have completed their third day at sea this lunchtime. And though the race start has worked the sailors’ bodies hard as they’ve had to battle with squalls and shifty winds in order to get the most out of their machines, the pace set by the fleet remains steady. With the exception of Armel Le Cléac’h, leader at the 11:00 GMT ranking, there is little separating those at the front of the pack and the atmosphere is one of close-contact racing, with the focus on pouncing on the slightest wind shift so as to slip along southwards and shake off a ridge of high pressure as quickly as possible. The latter has made itself more comfortable than forecast and is set to further slow the progress of Sébastien Josse and his rivals for a good part of today.

This first part of the Vendée Globe is certainly living up to expectations. Thinking back to the 2012-2013 edition, the public witnessed four changes of leader all in all in the whole of the round the world. This year, in the space of just three days, six boats (five of which are foilers!) have already treated themselves to a spell at the top of the leader board. It’s safe to say then that it’s anyone’s game! The weather for this race start has proven to be just as interesting. Indeed, an outgrowth of the Azores High has thwarted the weather pattern usually observed during this offshore sprint down the Iberian peninsula, namely north-easterly winds (Portuguese tradewinds), which generally enable the sailors to slip along at a fair old pace towards the Doldrums.

In this way, for the past 24hrs and more, the solo sailors have been making headway in a capricious W to NW’ly wind and are having to grin and bear it as they battle to traverse this unstable zone, which is blocking their way southwards. However, the exit doesn’t look very far off now and according to the latest forecasts the NE’ly wind is expected to kick in this evening.

In order to line himself up for the next section of the race, namely the exit from the Azores High and above all the passage around Madeira, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild repositioned himself over to the West last night. At the 11:00 GMT ranking this Wednesday 9 November, Sébastien Josse was lying in 6^th place some 22 miles shy of the leader, Armel Le Cléac’h, but he has a deficit of just 6 miles in relation to today’s second placed skipper, Paul Meilhat.

Ranking on 9 November at 11:00 GMT

1. Armel Le Cleac’h (Banque Populaire VIII) 23,524 from the finish
2. Paul Meilhat (SMA) 16.1 miles astern of the leader
3. Vincent Riou (PRB) 18.8 miles astern
4. Jean-Pierre Dick (St Michel – Virbac) 19.7 miles astern
5. Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ) 20.7 miles astern
6. Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) 22 miles astern
7. Morgan Lagravière (Safran) 30.2 miles astern
8. Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) 32.3 miles astern
9. Yann Eliès (Gueguiner – Leucémie Espoir) 49.7 miles astern
…

Retourner aux articles

Heritage