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.

10.10.2009

Kick-off at 1500 hours.

Things start to get serious today for the ten crews competing in the 6th and final event of the 2009 Extreme 40’ circuit. Sun, summer temperatures and a timid thermal breeze are set to colour this first day in Andalusia. In second place, tied on points with Masirah, Yann Guichard and his three crew – Pierre Pennec, Hervé Cunningham and Christophe L…

par Gitana

The first day’s racing in Almeria isn’t set to see much wind, though there is always the chance that the thermal breeze, which gradually kicks in at the start of the afternoon, may have a few surprises in store. As regards surprises, the race zone on which the fleet of catamarans will race is likely to create its fair share too! True to their concept, it’s in the very heart of the Andalusian port that the organisers of the iShares Cup have opted to set the scene for this final act. A playing field, atypical once again, which is likely to spice up proceedings over the next three days of racing.

During the training sessions yesterday afternoon, Yann Guichard and his men were able to get their bearings and pinpoint the numerous tricky areas on the race zone. For the skipper of Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group, there is no doubt that good starts will guarantee their success: “We’re going to have to be even more incisive than ever at the starts, especially if the wind comes from the same direction as yesterday, which is forecast to be the case for this first day of racing. The reasons for this are that though the first tack to windward can provide a few changes in the hierarchy, afterwards it’s a bit of a merry-go-round”.

The presence of a 100% Spanish crew, which answers to the name of Rumbo Almeria, brings the number of competitors in this final stage to ten. Helmed by the Olympic Tornado champion (Beijing 2008), Fernando Echavarri, the one design in the colours of Andalusia will be a serious new contender and a reminder to Yann Guichard of his Olympic years, which saw him do battle against the Iberian sailor.

Ten teams present in Almeria for the final
BT (Nick Moloney) – Ecover (Mike Golding) – Groupama 40 (Franck Cammas) – Holmatro (Mitch Booth) – iShares (Shirley Robertson) – Luna (Erik Maris) – Oman Sail Masirah (Pete Cumming) – Oman Sail Renaissance (Loïck Peyron) – Rumba Almeria (Fernando Echavarri) and Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group (Yann Guichard)

Provisional championship ranking prior to the 6th and final event
1/ Oman Sail Masirah – 43 points (4th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 5th)
2/ Gitana Extreme- LCF Rothschild Group – 43 points (1st, 4th, 2nd, 4th, 1st)
3/Oman Sail Renaissance – 42 points (3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd)
4/ Groupama 40 – 33 points (5th, 5th, 6th, 3rd, 3rd)
5/ BT – 23 points (6th, 6th, 4th, 8th, 8th)
6/ iShares – 22 points (9th, 7th, 5th, 6th, 6th)
7/ Holmatro – 20 points (8th, 8th, 8th, 7th, 4th)
8/ Luna – 20 points (7th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 7th)
9/ BMW Oracle – 18 points (2nd, 2nd, DNC, DNC, DNC, DNC, DNC)
10/ Ecover – 8 points (10th, 10th, 9th, 10th, 9th)

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