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

Abeam of Ortegal.

par Gitana

The twenty-eight solo sailors competing in the Vendée Globe have just completed their first night in the Bay of Biscay, Spaniard Didac Costa having had to turn back to make repairs shortly after the start after suffering a leak. Posting a very fine start that enabled him to move up into the lead in the opening miles of the race, Sébastien Josse stuck to his start philosophy by sailing a careful race through the night in the leading pack. This morning, at the 08:00 GMT ranking, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild, is lying in 7th place in a fleet now led by Briton, Alex Thomson. This group is now approaching the north-west tip of Spain and the famous Cape Finisterre, which it’s set to reach midway through today.

Review of Sébastien Josse’s great start

Yesterday at 12:02pm, following intense emotion in the canal with nearly 350,000 people lining the quayside in the Vendée to bid the fleet farewell, then the long minutes spent waiting in a virtual race zone specially marked out for them offshore of Les Sables d’Olonne, the sailors in the 8^th edition of the Vendée Globe were finally able to set off for the open ocean. The weather conditions were exceptional for a 6 November with glorious sunshine and a NNE’ly breeze of around fifteen knots. The whole scenario played out on relatively calm seas, save for the numerous spectator boats and support ribs escorting the solo sailors out to the open ocean. The spectacle was sublime and further highlights the public appeal for the unique race that is the Vendée Globe.

It’s worth noting that it was HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco who fired the starting gun for this 8^th edition, and the boat’s owners Ariane and Benjamin de Rothschild, together with Sébastien Josse, also welcomed him aboard the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild on Saturday for a private tour.

An unsettled first night

For the opening miles of the race, Sébastien Josse and his rivals had to deal with some very shifty conditions due to the remains of a low pressure front situated to the East of Europe. In this way, the wind was constantly yoyoing between 9 to 26 knots, resulting in a great deal of trimming and an active night under the cuddy and on the deck of the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild.

Currently abeam of Cape Ortegal, Cape Finisterre is some 80 miles in front of Gitana 16 this morning. The front runners are expected there at midday, or even early afternoon; which is a little slower than that indicated yesterday after running the first routing. As the wind shifts round to the North it should reach around 20 knots and the strategy of the head of the fleet will then be to try to smoothly slip southwards.

Ranking on 7 November 2016 at 08:00 GMT

Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss)
Jean-Pierre Dick (St Michel – Virbac) 2.3 miles astern of the leader
Armel Le Cleac’h (Banque Populaire) 2.4 miles astern
Morgan Lagravière (Safran) 14.6 miles astern
Vincent Riou (PRB) 16.2 miles astern
Jeremie Beyou (Maître CoQ) 16.8 miles astern
Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) 18.2 miles astern
Paul Meilhat (SMA) 18.3 miles astern
Yann Eliès (Gueguiner Leucémie Espoir) 21.5 miles astern
…

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