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.

03.11.2014

Sébastien Josse at the front of the pack.

par Gitana

After leaving Saint Malo yesterday at 1400 hours, the Route du Rhum Destination Guadeloupe fleet have had to ride out a trying first night at sea. Indeed, as forecast by the meteorologists, the ninety-one competing solo sailors had to negotiate the passage of a very active front, which saw the wind pick up to 35 knots with 45 knots recorded in the gusts aboard the Multi70 Edmond de Rothschild picking up difficult, heavy seas. These boisterous conditions severely tested both the men and the machines and, this morning, Race Management lamented five retirements and a number of pit stops along the northern coast of Brittany. The Ultimes, who are logically leading the way, rounded the Breton headland overnight and have since linked onto the negotiation of the Bay of Biscay. Sébastien Josse is lying in 2nd place at the 0700 GMT ranking.

Caught out

A strong south-westerly wind shifting round to the west-north-west once the front rolled through to reach 30 – 35 knots and some very active squalls with waves of up to 4 to 5 metres… the initial hours of racing for the solo sailors in the Route du Rhum have been bracing but in line with forecasts. The upshot of this was radio silence and an all-nighter aboard the trimaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. In view of the conditions described above we can well understand why. The main thing to note is that the skipper of the Multi70 Edmond de Rothschild is sailing a very fine race. The author of a prudent start off the corsair city, Sébastien Josse didn’t think twice about reducing his sail area early yesterday evening offshore of Bréhat so as to confidently tackle the passage of a very active front on exiting the English Channel. His choices and his management of the race paid off since this morning, at the 0700 GMT ranking, the trimaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild was lying in 2^nd place some 28.7 miles behind the leader, Banque Populaire VII.

“The exit from the English Channel hasn’t been the most restful… On passing Bréhat, the wind picked up with real gusto in a line of squalls. Given the wind and sea forecasts for the front rolling over the top of them on the approach to Ushant, Sébastien then opted to reduce the sail area to 2 reefs and ORC. It was a pertinent choice, even though initially it forced him to make headway slightly under-canvassed for a few hours. He opted to lose a bit of ground in relation to his rivals, but that has paid off for the next stage,” explained Antoine Koch, one of Gitana Team’s routers.

A favourite out for the count

Last night, the race lost one of its firm favourites and above all one of sailing’s greats from the Ultime class. At around 2330 hours yesterday evening, the coastguard informed Race Management for the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe that Sodebo Ultim’ had collided with a cargo ship. The trimaran was almost out of the Ushant shipping lane when the incident occurred. The forward section of the starboard float was pulled off in the impact. Thomas Coville, safe and sound, is making for Roscoff, where he is expected early this morning.

Ranking on 3 November at 0700 GMT

Banque Populaire VII (Loïck Peyron) – 3,282.1 miles from the goal
Edmond de Rothschild (Sébastien Josse) – 28.78 miles behind the leader
Prince de Bretagne (Lionel Lemonchois) – 36.91 miles back
Musandam Oman Sail (Sidney Gavignet) – 43.16 miles back
Paprec recyclage (Yann Elies) – 47.26 miles back
Spindrift 2 (Yann Guichard) – 54.94 miles back
Idec Sport (Francis Joyon) – 61.28 miles back

Abd – Sodebo Ultim’

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