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.

10.11.2010

Patience and time.

Yann Guichard must now put up with the delay in getting to Guadeloupe whilst the first two ‘ultimate’ multihulls have crossed the finish line; Franck Cammas on Tuesday afternoon, Francis Joyon last night. For everyone, the last few miles are the longest…

par Gitana

Yann Guichard has had everything thrown at him: Gitana 11 is certainly being propelled along by the tradewinds, but they’re proving to be very out of puff! Ranging between three and eight knots on Tuesday afternoon, they’ve seen a slight increase in power to between ten and twelve knots, but they are now coming from the East. This is rotten luck for the skipper of the trimaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild as Gitana 11 will now have to put in a series of gybes to reach the West Indies. In fact, given that this light breeze seems steadier to the South, Yann Guichard is gradually slipping along towards the SW, but has planned on six or seven gybes throughout the day to reposition himself, with just as many in view over the course of tonight!

After crossing the finish midway through Tuesday local time in the West Indies after 9 days 3 hours and 14 minutes, Franck Cammas indicated during his press conference that his giant trimaran was certainly tough to helm, but it also enabled him to withstand the squalls without constantly having to perform manœuvres. The winner also noted that he’d have never been able to keep up that rhythm on his former Groupama 2, the 60 footer with which he took the start of the Route du Rhum in 2006.

Francis Joyon also completed the race late yesterday (local time) ten and a half hours later, while Thomas Coville was still becalmed this Wednesday morning to the North of Guadeloupe making 1.4 knots of boat speed… As such the end of the course for Gitana 11 is still set to be a while in coming and Yann Guichard isn’t expected into Pointe-à-Pitre before Thursday lunchtime (local time) as he will again have to battle with evanescent breezes as far as the Caribbean archipelago, not to mention the circumnavigation of the island which is turning into an ordeal for all the solo sailors.

Ranking for the Ultimate Category on 10^th November at 0700 GMT

1- Groupama 3 finished on Tuesday 9^th November at 15h 16’ 47 GMT in 9d 3h 14’ 47’’

2- Idec finished on Wednesday 10^th November at 1h52’ 48 GMT in 9d 13h 50’ 48’’

3- Sodebo 51 miles from the finish

4- Gitana 11 some 415 miles from the finish

5- La Boite à Pizza 973 miles from the finish

6- Défi Cancale 1,361 miles from the finish

7- Saint-Malo 2015 some 1,367 miles from the finish

Abandon- Côte d’Or II

Abandon- Oman Air Majan

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