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.

27.10.2010

In position!.

After a few days break to get some rest prior to the start of the Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale, Yann Guichard rejoined his team of préparateurs on the pontoons of Saint Malo amidst the sun and showers. On the schedule for the next four days: meetings with the media, the welcoming of a few colleagues from Edmond de Rothschild Group and analysis…

par Gitana

After a few days break to get some rest prior to the start of the Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale, Yann Guichard rejoined his team of préparateurs on the pontoons of Saint Malo amidst the sun and showers. On the schedule for the next four days: meetings with the media, the welcoming of a few colleagues from Edmond de Rothschild Group and analysis of the weather forecasts.

Rain and clear skies hasn’t shaken the public’s enthusiasm and they were out in force again today in the city of Saint Malo to encourage the 86 solo sailors, who will take next Sunday’s start offshore of the Grand Bé, a nearby island where François-René de Chateaubriand, a famous French romantic writer and politician was buried. For now the race start is still not very clear in weather terms, as the skipper of Gitana 11 explained to us: “four days away it’s not easy to know what we’re going to end up with: there’s a front, but will it have rolled over the top of us or will we have to traverse it just after the starting gun? One thing for sure is that we’ll have around 25 to 30 knots of NW to W’ly breeze on exiting the English Channel, with big seas… After that it’s not evident what will happen, but we do know that we won’t have to endure 50 knots on the nose! However, it’s not going to be like it was four years ago either.”

Yann Guichard remains calm in relation to these forecasts as he knows all to well about the problems with thinking too far ahead on courses spanning in excess of 3,500 miles. Instead he’s concentrating on eating well and sleeping without stress. Four years ago the navigator was in position behind his computer analysing the grib files: “I was more used to seeing the race start from my office when I was taking part in the routing… Gitana 11 is well placed in the Bassin Vauban with Côte d’Or in front and the three ‘ultimate’ sisterships behind. There’s a good crowd and a great atmosphere! We have nothing left to do aboard, other than loading my personal effects: the team has done a fantastic job! And I know what they’ll be going through over the coming days. In fact, the most agonising thing will be the start as there will be a lot of people on the water and our boats go very fast. After that it’ll be over to me…”

The next four days will naturally be devoted to weather analysis with Sylvain Mondon and Billy Besson, who will make up Gitana Team’s crew on shore during the race. However, the skipper will also give some time to those close to the project. These include the staff of the Chalet Mont d’Arbois, who play a roll in providing the food supplies, as well as the children of the OPEJ, which Yann Guichard will play host to on Thursday and show them around the trimaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. This Thursday will also be marked by the screening of the film produced by Christophe Castagne – “Gitana Team, from one Rhum to another” – on the preparation of Gitana 11 and about the role of each member of the Team involved in the project: “Sharing this solo adventure with the whole team is a great pleasure: there’s a family spirit which remains the driving force behind the Gitana Team. On Sunday I’ll be on my own on the water, but I won’t really be alone!” concludes Yann Guichard.

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