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.

25.06.2013

Light airs set the tone in Offshore 3.

par Gitana

After setting out from Dùn Laoghaire late morning yesterday, the trimaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild is currently approaching the famous Fastnet lighthouse, where it is having to contend with some particularly shifty and lacklustre weather conditions. In the light airs off the southern tip of Ireland, Sébastien Josse and his men are biding their time, trying to make the most of the slightest oscillation to make headway towards the mark. At the 1400 GMT ranking, Edmond de Rothschild was in second position in a fleet led by Oman Air. The next few hours are sure to be action-packed with a windless barrier likely to lounge across their path as the trimarans draw level with the Scilly Isles, or maybe even before that.

Contacted by his shore crew shortly before 1400 GMT, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild reviewed the first few hours of racing in this third offshore leg bound for Plymouth: “We managed to make good headway as far as Bardsey Island, but things soon became tougher as we headed back towards the Irish coast. A storm system established itself in front of us and we had two options to get through it: either we could stay offshore a little or hug the coast level with the Tuskar headland. The routing software was unanimous about the more offshore course, but Oman played the risky option and opted for the inshore course. Given how things have panned out since then, Oman was proved right, as there appears to be more pressure there. This section was accompanied by a TSS (Traffic Separation System), which means that the MOD70s are forbidden from traversing the zone), which has to be respected and, on exiting the latter, Sidney Gavignet had moved up to the head of the fleet. In the next section, a NW’ly breeze was forecast and we opted to give the Fastnet a wide berth so as to avoid the light winds indicated in the grib files. Right now though, it’s us who are in the light stuff. Up top we have around 3-4 knots of wind, with 18 miles to go till Fastnet. Aboard the boat we’re biding our time, waiting for the breeze to gradually kick back in and establish itself in the North-West.”

Remaining calm as the wind fails them and sets the crew’s nerves jangling, such is the philosophy aboard Edmond de Rothschild as the men of Gitana Team lament a 37-mile deficit in relation to the leader at the 1400 GMT ranking. Indeed, as Sébastien Josse explained earlier, the die has yet to be cast in this offshore leg to Plymouth: “We know that there are still a number of moves to be played! Up ahead, if the grib files are right, things are going to come to a complete standstill. At the front of the pack, Oman will be the first to enter into this windless zone. It may be level with the Scillies or before that, depending on how the weather pans out. One thing for sure is that we’ll need to keep up our energy levels and keep a clear head to tackle the coast of southern England.”

According to the latest on-board routing, the 70-foot trimarans aren’t expected offshore of Devon before Wednesday evening. This estimation is based on a direct route from Eddystone lighthouse.

With regard the ranking, it should be noted that yesterday, Edmond de Rothschild pocketed the two-point bonus for being the first of its class to make the island of Bardsey, offshore of the Welsh coast. Two further points will be awarded for the first boat to pass Bishop Rock (Scilly Isles).

The crew of Edmond de Rothschild in Offshore 3

Sébastien Josse / Charles Caudrelier / Thomas Rouxel / Antoine Koch / Jean-Christophe Mourniac / Florent Chastel

Ranking for the Route des Princes (after the jury)

Spindrift Racing (Yann Guichard) / 94 points *
Edmond de Rothschild (Sébastien Josse) / 88 points
Musandam – Oman Air (Sidney Gavignet) / 84 points
Virbac Paprec 70 (Jean-Pierre Dick) / 66 points

* Spindrift Racing is ranked as DNS in offshore 3 as the crew were forced to retire after capsizing in the first inshore race in Dublin last Saturday.

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