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.

10.06.2010

West to East Trans-Mediterranean record for Gitana 13.

The maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild made the most of her time in the Mediterranean to add a new record to an already sizeable hoard, that of making a West to East passage in a time of 6 days 15 hours and 41 minutes.

par Gitana

On 26^th May 2010 at 1655 UTC, the men aboard Gitana 13 crossed a virtual start line offshore of the Andalusian town of Tarifa, at the gateway to the Strait of Gibraltar, to the far South of Spain. The strait, referred to as the “Pillars of Hercules” in ancient times, marks the separation between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. The 14 km wide passage lived up to its ‘violent’ reputation and propelled the giant of the seas downwind at pace, the breeze increasing progressively. The maxi-catamaran was to benefit from conditions on the water, which though tough, proved ideal for enabling the boat to make good headway over the first 48 hours at sea. However, after a productive start to the record attempt, the sailors from Gitana Team had to deal with an evanescent wind, forcing them into a seemingly incessant series of manœuvres. Following on from this zone of light winds was a spell of upwind conditions and a strong Mediterranean breeze. As such the crew of Gitana 13 were served up a wide range of conditions during this crossing, resulting in them going through the maxi’s entire sail wardrobe!

The nine members of the crew, led by Pascal Blouin, completed the 1,500 nautical miles of this West to East Trans-Mediterranean crossing on 2^nd June at 0846 UT, by crossing the finish line offshore of Tel-Aviv. Gitana 13 thus improved on her own reference time set last September by nearly seven hours, reducing the new reference time to 6 days 15 hours and 41 minutes.

Contrary to previous records, where a standby period of varying degrees of length is incorporated to enable a crew to set off in the most favourable weather conditions possible as regards performance, Gitana 13 snapped up this particular opportunity to add another record to her hoard during a delivery trip. This infers that the new reference time is not optimal as the men aboard the maxi-catamaran didn’t choose the exact weather window for departure.

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