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.

23.06.2009

The Grand Prix in Hyères-TPM begins on 3rd July.

par Gitana

The second event in the iShares Cup 2009 circuit is being held in France. Indeed from 3rd to 5th July, the town of Hyères – Toulon Provence Méditerranée is playing host to the ten Extreme 40 crews in the running this season. Victorious in Venice in mid-May, Yann Guichard and his men are arriving in the Var region, in pole position in the general provisional ranking. However, the skipper of Gitana Extrême – LCF Rothschild Group warns: “Each event has its own specific characteristics and Hyères is another race entirely so we’ll be setting out from scratch again!”

Bound for Southern France
The 40 foot container, which enables the transport of the one-design to each new event, left the Saint-Philibert technical base in Brittany this Tuesday. From Friday, Cyril Ducrot and Marie Dixneuf will be ready to get down to work to receive the catamaran in Hyères, the aim being for Gitana Extreme to be reassembled, with the mast stepped and ready to go sailing on Monday 29th June with the arrival of the crew. At that point it will be time for a few precious training days in order to acclimatise to the conditions specific to this race zone before the first day of racing, scheduled for Friday 3rd July.

In fact, as regards this particular playing field, its azure waters are familiar to the men sailing the catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, as Yann Guichard explains: “I know the race zone well, as does Pierre Pennec, because we’ve often sailed here during the French Olympic Sailing Week (SOF). This time though it will be different as we’re going to be racing right next to the harbour wall, which will be a big first. This can change a lot of things so we’re going to have to get our bearings again.” Then, as a fine connoisseur of the region, the skipper of Gitana Extreme didn’t hesitate in recalling that in the Mediterranean, anything can happen as regards the weather: “In Hyères I’m expecting all the various kinds of conditions possible, whilst for the first event in Venice, we knew that the majority of races were going to be coloured by light airs. At this time of year, we can nevertheless hope for some stiffer winds on the Var region’s race zone, and why not with some added thermals picking up in the middle of the day.”

Change of crew for Hyères – TPM
During the three days of racing in France’s Var region, the crew of the Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group will change physiognomy slightly. Indeed, Hervé Cunningham, committed to another event a long time ago, will be replaced for this grand prix by Simeon Tienpont. This young, 27 year old Dutch sailor, loaned for the occasion by the American challenger in the next America’s Cup – BMW Oracle -, has a wealth of experience in Extreme 40’s, an athletic physique which may prove to be extremely advantageous in stiff weather conditions, and incredible motivation.
Last week, the four sailors met up in La Trinité-sur-Mer for four days of training in the bay of Quiberon. An essential “running in session” given that Yann Guichard and his men had noticed in Venice that crew cohesion was one of the keys to success. The results of these daily sessions out on the water have proven to be very positive.

Crew of the Gitana Extreme / LCF Rothschild Group
– Yann Guichard / skipper-helm
– Pierre Pennec / mainsail traveller trimmer, tactics
– Christophe Lassegue / headsail trimmer, control of manœuvres
– Simeon Tienpont / headsail trimmer, control of manœuvres

General provisional ranking (after 1 event – Venice)
1. Gitana Extreme- LCF Rothschild Group (Yann Guichard) – 10 points
2. BMW Oracle Racing (James Spithill) – 9 points
3. Oman Sail Renaissance (Loïck Peyron) – 8 points
4. Oman Sail Masirah (Pete Cumming) – 7 points
5. Groupama 40 (Franck Cammas) – 6 points
6. BT (Nick Moloney) – 5 points
7. Luna (Erik Maris) – 4 points
8. Holmatro (Carolijn Brouwer) – 3 points
9. iShares – Shirley Robertson – 2 points
10. Ecover – Mike Golding –1 point

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