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.

04.09.2012

Calms blocking the entrance to the English Channel.

par Gitana

The bracing rhythm of the initial hours of racing has given way to a more piano’ tempo for the MOD 70 fleet. Whilst Edmond de Rothschild Group and its rivals are set to leave the North Sea in their wake over the coming hours to move into the English Channel, the wind has other ideas. Indeed, a zone of high pressure positioned over Le Pas-de-Calais will make life difficult for the five competing crews. At the 1000 UTC standing, the hierarchy was identical to yesterday’s, namely a top trio made up of Spindrift Racing, followed by Foncia and Edmond de Rothschild Group. However, under the influence of a ridge of high pressure and the light winds the system is generating, there is now little separating the boats and it looks like the whole lot will bunch together to tackle the final 600 miles of this leg between Kiel and Dùn Laoghaire.

Contacted by Press HQ early this Tuesday morning, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild Group set the scene prior to tackling this new day of racing: “We’re hounding our rivals, slaloming between the sandbanks, the maritime shipping and the oil rigs! Since Skagen in Denmark, we’ve experienced some pretty changeable conditions, sailing against the wind, but it hasn’t really been unpleasant. We’re awaiting our entry into the English Channel to sail in slightly clearer waters with fewer course marks…”

Sébastien Josse reviewed his crew’s start to the race and explained Edmond de Rothschild Group’s standing after 48 hours of racing: “We lost a few miles as we were exiting the Skagerrak Strait, largely as a result of the sea state: some attacked more than others. Following that, the leaders had a slight edge with more favourable conditions at the front of the fleet, but the deltas aren’t damning.”

This is especially true given that the upcoming weather situation could reshuffle the cards. Le Pas-de-Calais and the entry into the English Channel are currently under the influence of a ridge of high pressure. The latter is generating some very light SW’ly winds and constitutes a real weather barrier for the MOD 70 fleet. Given that the phenomenon is relatively stable, the men of Gitana Team will have to grin and bear it throughout the day before they can latch onto a steadier breeze over the course of the evening.

As predicted by the navigators prior to the start in Kiel, the five MOD 70s in this European Tour are tightly grouped. At the 1000 UTC position report, Spindrift Racing was continuing to lead, but now only boasts a 5-mile advantage over Michel Desjoyeaux and his men. Sébastien Josse and his crew are positioned 11 miles astern of the black trimaran. Slightly set back yesterday at the midday standing, Musandam – Oman Sail and Race for Water benefited from the weather conditions reigning between the Dutch and English coastlines to make up ground on the head of the fleet and are right back in the thick of the action today.

Leg 1 – Standing on Tuesday 4 September, 1000 UTC

Spindrift Racing 538.5 miles to the finish
Foncia 5.6 miles astern of the leader
Edmond de Rothschild Group 11.4 miles astern of the leader
Musandam – Oman Sail 17.9 miles astern of the leader
Race for Water 22.3 miles astern of the leader

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