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.

07.11.2016

Slip sliding out of Biscay.

par Gitana

After 24 hours of racing, the head of the Vendée Globe fleet is already making headway offshore of the Iberian coast. Suffice to say that the lead boats have got a sprint on. If you add to that the shifty wind conditions that the solo sailors have been experiencing since last night, you’ll easily grasp the fact that those setting the pace since the start of the race have only had a short amount of time to reply to the official radio sessions this Monday. Having set sail from Les Sables d’Olonne yesterday, Sébastien Josse is still among the front runners this evening and was lying in 5th place at the 17:00 GMT ranking. However, ahead of the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild, a trio now headed by Armel Le Cléac’h has managed to get a bit of separation. Nothing overly dramatic, but the miles testify to the different weather conditions encountered by the sailors in the negotiation of the Bay of Biscay.

Squally introduction to play in Biscay

With five changes of leader after around thirty hours of racing, the tone for this 8^th edition has been set! The twenty-eight* solo sailors contacted for today’s radio sessions all agreed that it had been a bracing first night, despite the exceptional conditions with which the Vendée Globe fleet benefited to kick off its round the world race. Indeed, as a result of the frequent squalls rolling into the Bay of Biscay, there have been some big variations in breeze, alternating between light airs and gusts, which have made life difficult for Sébastien Josse and his rivals. However, it would seem that not everyone has had the same treatment and a group made up of Banque Populaire, Hugo Boss and St Michel Virbac – positioned downwind of the fleet – has really played its game well. As such, at around 12 noon, this particular trio were leading the way to Cape Finisterre.

Sixteen miles in their wake, Sébastien Josse was close on their heels by early afternoon and like the leaders, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild opted for the inside track at the TSS (traffic separation system) to round the NW tip of Spain. From a weather perspective and in relation to the heavy maritime shipping in this area, this passage near the coast is far from enjoyable for the sailor, who has had to increase his surveillance on deck for a large part of the day.

Heading towards the ridge of high pressure

Although for now the Vendée Globe skippers are benefiting from a N’ly breeze of 20-25 knots to slip along at speed towards the South-West, by tomorrow the scenario will be rather different, with the pace set to stall. Indeed, at the latitude of Gibraltar, a ridge of high pressure synonymous with light winds is barring their way. The solo sailors will have no other choice than to cut across it, though it is yet to be determined which trajectory to choose. This evening, the Briton Alex Thomson, who was setting a course to the South-East whilst his adversaries were continuing their course to the South-West, seemed keen to go it alone down the Iberian peninsula.

To be continued…

*NB, Didac Costa turned back shortly after the start following a leak in a ballast tank damaged a large part of his electrics. This evening though, the news from Port Olona was good and the Spaniard hopes to set sail again in the coming hours.

Ranking on 7 November 2016 at 17:00GMT

Armel Le Cleac’h (Banque Populaire)
Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) 6.8 miles astern
Jean-Pierre Dick (St Michel – Virbac) 12.2 miles astern
Vincent Riou (PRB) 12.3 miles astern
Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) 16.9 miles astern
Paul Meilhat (SMA) 21.9 miles astern
Yann Eliès (Gueguiner Leucémie Espoir) 23.5 miles astern
Jeremie Beyou (Maître CoQ) 25.9 miles astern
Morgan Lagravière (Safran) 36.6 miles astern

…

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