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.

07.12.2011

The pretenders out in force.

par Gitana

Five races were able to be contested on this the opening day of the Singapore Grand Prix and the last event of the Extreme Sailing Series 2011. However, the race committee had to reckon with the vagaries of the weather and contend with the storms in order to provide the ten competing crews with the optimum sailing conditions. At the end of this first day, the Austrians on Red Bull Sailing Team have taken an early lead. The author of two race victories, just like Pierre Pennec and his men, Roman Hagara’s team was rewarded for its consistent performance. The catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild is positioned in third place in the provisional standing, just two points shy of Luna Rossa, the team’s direct rival for the title. The battle, which will crown the 2011 winner, has well and truly commenced!

The setting is on a par with the competitive stakes. The numerous buildings, with their futuristic architecture, which encircle the Extreme Sailing Series race zone, provide a unique backdrop as well as demanding conditions for the ten one-design catamarans. Concerned about the weather conditions which could reign in Singapore for this final event of the season, the men from Gitana Team have been partly reassured today, as Pierre Pennec explains: “It’s true that we were prepared for the worst here as the race zone is very cramped and lined with numerous skyscrapers which can really disturb the wind. However, to our great delight, conditions were just fine today. The wind oscillated between five and eight knots. This enabled us to express ourselves without it turning into a free-for-all on the water. We hope it will be same over the next four days.” However, to provide such sailing conditions, the race committee had to be patient and didn’t think twice about interrupting the racing for a good hour as they waited for a storm roaring over the city to pass over so the wind could re-establish itself.

Victorious in two of the five races run this Wednesday, the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group is out to prove, if need be, that it’s very much in contention for the grand finale. Indeed it’s worth remembering that in order to win the 2011 season, it is imperative that the men on Gitana Team finish ahead of those skippered by Max Sirena. Well aware of the fact that, for a number of weeks now, Luna Rossa hasn’t made this easy, Pierre Pennec and his crew had further confirmation of this on the first day of the competition: “There weren’t any special instructions aboard for these initial races as we are very much aware that, in this series, you have to take each day as it comes, applying ourselves in every race. The men on Luna Rossa don’t appear to see things in this way and they have been aggressive from the off, particularly at the start of the last race”, admitted Thierry Fouchier, the headsail trimmer on the boat. Pierre Pennec backed up this view: “They hunted us down on the line and we got off to a bad start. However, the crew remained very calm and was able to snap up the first opportunity which presented itself to slip ahead of them during the race. We were expecting things to pan out in this way as Paul Campbell James is famed for sailing like this. We will have to ensure we don’t let anything slide and give back as good as we get. It’s going to be very close, but that’s why we’re here and our team is ready to defend itself and battle to win the annual championship.”

Satisfied with their introduction, the men on Edmond de Rothschild Group are also pleased with their boat speed on the racetrack. In fact this was an area that Pierre Pennec and his three crew had hoped to improve on, so the outlook is positive.

Standing for the Singapore Grand Prix after the first day

Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT) – 45 points
Luna Rossa (ITA) – 39 points
Edmond de Rothschild Group (FRA) – 37 points
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZ) – 29 points
Oman Air (OMA) – 27 points
Team GAC Pindar (GBR) – 22 points
The Wave, Muscat (OMA) – 22 points
Alinghi (SUI) – 21 points
Team Tilt (SUI) – 18 points
Team Extreme – the first club™(EUR) – 15 points

The crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group

Pierre Pennec (skipper / helmsman), Christophe Espagnon (mainsail trimmer), Thierry Fouchier (headsail trimmer), Hervé Cunningham (bowman)

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