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.

18.05.2010

Breton training sessions 15 days from kick-off.

From 10th to 14th May, the crew of the Extreme 40 Gitana, rechristened Edmond de Rothschild Group, has been practising its scales in the Baie de Quiberon. Now, with 15 days till the first event of the season, which is due to take place in Sète in the South of France on 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th May 2010, Yann Guichard and his three crew have got ba…

par Gitana

Their last sail together aboard the catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild dated back to October 2009, on the occasion of the sixth and final Grand Prix of last season. Last week in La Trinité-sur-Mer, the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group made its comeback. “The first event of 2010 is approaching and we needed to get back into the swing of things by integrating the new element to our crew. As such the five days on the water have proved beneficial. Indeed we’ve been particularly spoilt by the weather, which has ranged from strong wind to light airs and has enabled us to go through the whole range of manoeuvres in all the different configurations. These training sessions aren’t a true reflection of what we’ll experience in the Extreme races, but they have allowed us to get to know the boat better. In the Grands Prix we sail a whole series of races but the tacks are never long enough to be able to push our steed and appreciate all the sensations” commented Yann Guichard, who was satisfied with the latest warm-up.

A new recruit aboard the Extreme 40 Edmond de Rothschild Group

For its second season in the Extreme Sailing Series, the crew of the one design Gitana remains virtually unchanged since Pierre Pennec and Hervé Cunningham are sailing alongside Yann Guichard. However there is just one new face among them. Nicolas Heintz, a young 26 year old Match Racing sailor, is replacing Christophe Lassegue on the bow. The reasoning behind the change in ‘weight’ is explained to us by the skipper of Gitana: “Last year we banked on a ‘light’ crew, which gave us an advantage during races contested in light airs. However, the grands prix dominated by breezy conditions, as was the case in Hyères and Kiel, were the hardest to negotiate. That’s why, in 2010, I’ve opted to considerably modify the composition of the crew for greater versatility. Nicolas isn’t very familiar with multihulls but he learns quickly and I’m sure his sailing experience will shine through very soon.”

Second in the 2009 championship for their first participation, Yann Guichard and his crew are returning to the Extreme Sailing Series with their sights on victory. However, it’s a new season, with new crews and a new order… an equation the Gitana skipper is very much aware of: “Some new crews are making their entry onto the circuit and the existing crews have worked a great deal over the winter. For our part, we’ve also sought to improve on our weak points and I’m looking forward to being in Sète to be able to find out where we stand in relation to the competition.”

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