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.

03.11.2009

Gitana 11, a year from the Route du Rhum.

The start of the Route du Rhum will be given on Sunday 31st October 2010 from the pirate city of Saint Malo. As such, in a little under a year, Gitana 11 – in her new extended form – will be setting off on the legendary transatlantic bound for Pointe-à-Pitre. For the Gitana Team, reigning champion of the event, clearly the goal is to score a double…

par Gitana

Since mid-October and the end of the Extreme 40 circuit where Yann Guichard and his crew aboard Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group concluded their first participation in the championship with a highly promising 2nd place, the skipper of the Gitana Team is devoting all his time to fine tuning the new craft fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. However, prior to traversing the Atlantic single-handed, the native of the French beauty spot of Ile aux Moines is getting to know the 77 foot maxi-trimaran in short-handed configuration: “since Gitana 11’s launch on 7th September 2009, I’ve been out for a number of sails with a crew. I’m going to have to get some miles under my belt in order to get to know the boat. The reasons for this are that even though we’re sailing on an existing platform, the modifications made to Gitana 11 have created a completely new trimaran. The way the boat behaves and reacts on certain points of sail is different and I can only discover all that by getting out on the water with her” explains Yann Guichard.

As a result, for the skipper of Gitana 11 and his men, the aim is to obtain the maximum amount of data on how the new look boat handles. Analysis of this data will then enable them to envisage any modifications, which need to be made to the maxi-trimaran prior to the long single-handed campaign of racing that awaits her once her winter refit is complete: “these past few weeks of sailing short-handed have enabled us to evaluate the modifications required during the upcoming three month refit. Our primary focus is going to be to improve the appendages and the sail area.”

Aware of how lucky he is to benefit from a long period of fine tuning to tame this incredible machine, Yann Guichard nevertheless admits to a certain amount of frustration just days away from the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, which for the first time since its creation isn’t open to multihulls measuring in excess of 50 foot: “I’ve crewed in the past four editions, the most notable of which was aboard Gitana 11 in 2005 and 2007. It’s a race that really appealed to me as the concept of sailing trimarans like Gitana 11 double-handed is particularly suited to getting the very best out of the boat. We’re able to use 100% of her potential, which very often is highly instructive with a view to sailing her solo”.

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