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.

26.05.2015

In the wake of Gitana, may 2015.

par Gitana

In offshore racing, very often we know the stories of the sea or the biographies of the sailors setting off on the races, but very little about the background to the teams hidden behind the performances. Dive into the heart of the Gitana Team and each month you too can explore behind the scenes of the offshore racing stable fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild; such is the promise of the web series In the wake of Gitana. Construction, research and development, optimisation, training sessions, competitions, as well as team spirit the Gitana Team opens its doors.

News: coming on in leaps and bounds

On 11 May 2015, the racing stable fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild unveiled its programme for 2020. A significant announcement for an XXL challenge with the launch of a maxi-multihull project, which is scheduled to hit the water in 2017.

In race mode: Belle-Ile express

Climb aboard the Multi 70 Edmond de Rothschild with the Gitana Team for an express Tour de Belle-Ile, which they won in a time of 2hr24, breaking their previous record by nearly 20 minutes! A victory shared with the crew of the GC32 Edmond de Rothschild, it too victorious in the short course.

Objective Vendée Globe: from the virtual to the real

In two months’ time, the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild will leave the Multiplast yard in Vannes, south-west Brittany to put in her first tacks offshore of her Lorient base. As such, it’s high time to introduce her! In a guided tour of the future craft, Sébastien Josse and the entire team from the Gitana design office explain the key architectural features of this latest generation monohull.

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