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.

11.08.2011

Pierre Pennec and his crew have yet to have their final say.

par Gitana

The breeze was still dictating play this Thursday on the Isle of Wight. However, in contrast to yesterday, where the Extreme Sailing Series fleet had to stay dockside, the race committee made the most of the more manageable conditions and a better angled wind over the nautical stadium of Egypt Point, to launch no less than eight races (four per group). Pierre Pennec and his men came out fighting today, winning three of the four races contested in their pool. This result enabled them to edge closer to the provisional podium prior to the final day of competition in this Cowes Grand Prix. Once again the suspense is set to last until the final verdict comes in.

It’s on the water that the battle is fought… After a day on shore due to the cancellation of racing on the 5^th day, Pierre Pennec and his crew didn’t disguise their impatience to get going and leave the jury’s questions of recent days behind them. Later in the day this eagerness quickly turned into points on the race zone at Egypt Point as Edmond de Rothschild Group powered down the course leaving its adversaries in its wake during the first three races. Solely its fifth place in the fourth and final race of their group mitigated this virtually perfect score: “We managed to secure three very good starts on port tack (tricky starts as Gitana Extreme didn’t then have priority over the boats coming in on starboard tack, but they pay off when they’re carried out well), which enabled us to win three of the four races in our group. We’d been champing at the bit for the past 24 hours and it was good to go sailing and express ourselves on the water!” admitted Pierre Pennec. “The committee was very careful and delayed its decision to send us out onto the water until the wind eased, but it was a very good decision as we had perfect conditions to race in”. Indeed at 1630 hours, the waters of the Solent took on a whole new hospitable tone: flat seas and a wind of around twenty knots, losing its intensity slightly with each race.

Still fourth in the Cowes Grand Prix with a day until the event concludes, the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group isn’t sparing any effort in making up its deficit in relation to its adversaries. However the group racing enabled them to rack up fewer points than in the fleet racing, as bowman Hervé Cunningham explained: “The more we sail the better off we are as we’re having to play catch up in the ranking… Unfortunately, in this type of configuration, with a fleet split in two due to conditions being too windy, a lot of energy is used up for a meagre amount of points at the end of the day. Tomorrow, I hope that the wind won’t be as strong so we can race the maximum number of races and in fleet format if possible. The crew is very united and extremely motivated to round off this Cowes Grand Prix in style. After our setbacks, the aim is to score ourselves a podium place and if we manage that it’ll be an excellent result, especially as that will enable us to take back the lead in the circuit’s overall ranking.” Pierre Pennec backed up this sentiment: “Our collision with Artemis complicated things somewhat and caused us to lose a lot of ground on our adversaries. Despite all that, the minute we were on the water, we were in on the action. The team’s general mindset is that we’re on the attack and a lot could still happen tomorrow, especially if we have fleet racing.”Such a statement perfectly sums up the crew’s gritty determination to leave the Isle of Wight with no regrets.

Tomorrow, the fifth act of the Extreme Sailing Series will deliver its verdict. And although The Wave Muscat, still leading the way this evening, seems to have a slight edge over its rivals, the die is far from cast. If the initial schedule remains unchanged then racing will begin shortly after 1500 hours GMT).

Ranking for the Cowes Grand Prix after the 6^th day

The Wave, Muscat (OMA) – 138 points
Luna Rossa (ITA) – 128 points
Alinghi (SUI) – 117 points
Edmond de Rothschild Group (FRA) – 111 points
Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT) – 104 points
Oman Air (OMA) – 101 points
Team GAC Pindar (GBR) – 96 points
Niceforyou (ITA) – 81 points
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZ) – 73 points
Aberdeen Asset Management (UK) – 69 points
Team Extreme (EUR) – 51 points
Artemis Racing (SWE) – 23 points

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