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.

07.12.2015

Leading the way in the tradewinds.

After setting sail from Gustavia yesterday afternoon (15:00 GMT), the Transat Saint-Barth - Port-la-Forêt fleet has set a course northwards to initiate its negotiation of the Azores High and hook onto a train of Atlantic lows, a change of system synonymous with a veritable launch pad on the route home. After a lively start in squalls that are so ch…

par Gitana

After setting sail from Gustavia yesterday afternoon (15:00 GMT), the Transat Saint-Barth – Port-la-Forêt fleet has set a course northwards to initiate its negotiation of the Azores High and hook onto a train of Atlantic lows, a change of system synonymous with a veritable launch pad on the route home. After a lively start in squalls that are so characteristic of the West Indies at this time of year, the six solo sailors* have managed to gently find their feet in this race thanks to a steady tradewind. Aboard the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild, Sébastien Josse is firing on all cylinders, leading the way from the opening miles of the race. At the 16:00 GMT ranking, the most recent addition to the Gitana fleet has got a slight edge of 5.5 miles over SMA and over 31.8 miles in relation to Safran, respectively second and third after a little over 24 hours at sea.

Lively start amidst the squalls

During kick-off, the atmosphere offshore of the marina in Gustavia yesterday was somewhat bracing. With an average of 15-20 knots freshening to around 25 in the numerous squalls sprawled across the start zone in big seas… suffice to say that it was quite a spectacle, with some sublime contrasts to bid the six solo sailors a fond farewell before their North Atlantic sprint. In these conditions Paul Meilhat got off to the best start followed very closely by Sébastien Josse. Indeed, the skipper of the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild quickly gained the upper hand during the first few miles as the fleet headed towards St Martin and Anguilla. After a first night influenced by a steady tradewind, the pace dropped off a tad on the decks of the 60-foot monohulls from late morning and Sébastien Josse and his rivals were threading their way along, beam onto the wind at around 11-13 knots midway through the afternoon; conditions which remain somewhat pressured in solo configuration given the significant amount of trimming and the finesse and concentration required for piloting.

North vs South

Though the course for this Transat Saint-Barth – Port-la-Forêt is all mapped out, the quickest route in which to complete it is far from obvious. Indeed, as Sébastien Josse explained to us yesterday before casting off, the weather models are not in agreement and there are two very different major routes possible. In practical terms, the CEP model (European) indicates a course further to the South whilst the GFS (American model) predicts a passage a lot further North. In this way, the sailors will have to make a choice once they’ve negotiated the ridge of high pressure. Indeed, for the time being, it is this phenomenon that is of particular interest to the six competing solo sailors. In the coming hours, the wind is set to ease, with 10 knots or more becoming a rarity and the speeds observed at the 16:00 GMT ranking confirm this trend.

Ranking at 16:00 GMT – D+1

Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) – 3,073 miles from the finish
Paul Meilhat (SMA) – 5.5 miles behind the leader
Morgan Lagravière (Safran)– 31.8 miles back
Thomas Ruyant (Le Souffle du Nord) – 37.1 miles back
Fabrice Amedeo (Newrest-Matmut) – 42.2 miles back
Eric Holden (O Canada) – 66.2 miles back
Enda O’Coineen (Kilcullen Voyager) – not polled

Gitana is placing at your disposal a cartography that is dedicated to following this transatlantic race: http://gitana-team.geovoile.com/saintbarthportlaforet/2015/. The positions of Edmond de Rothschild and its six rivals will be updated every hour. However, a position blackout will be observed between 22:00 and 04:00 GMT to let the strategic play have free rein!

* Seven sailors are competing in this Transat Saint-Barth – Port-la-Forêt. However, a few hours before the start, the Irish racer, Enda O’Coineen discovered a few engine issues aboard the 60-footer Currency House Kilcullena. His shore crew are pulling out all the stops so he can set sail from St Barths as soon as possible and thus follow the course traced by the six other sailors already on the racetrack.

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