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.

27.11.2008

The hunted becomes the hunter!.

As is always the case at sea – and we'd be wrong to forget it – sailors are but guests upon it and it is the weather which lays down the law… The gradual bunching of the fleet over the past few days has seen to it that the established leader of the Vendée Globe, Loïck Peyron, has been the first to pay the price. Proving favourable again and again t…

par Gitana

As is always the case at sea – and we’d be wrong to forget it – sailors are but guests upon it and it is the weather which lays down the law… The gradual bunching of the fleet over the past few days has seen to it that the established leader of the Vendée Globe, Loïck Peyron, has been the first to pay the price. Proving favourable again and again to the chasing pack, the weather conditions haven’t switched shoulder rifle and are instead continuing to provide those in hot pursuit with some fine opportunities to get back with the leading group, prior to entering the Southern Ocean. At the 1600 hour ranking, the established hierarchy for a good number of days has been completely upset.

Sébastien Josse is now assuming the role of leader, whilst Gitana Eighty is now 15 miles astern. Behind him, Armel Le Cléac’h is in 3rd place with a 20 mile deficit on the man in the top spot. The first eight 60 foot Imocas are within 60 miles of each other; incredible proximity and an amazing scenario after over 18 days of racing.

The early morning wasn’t one of the mildest for the monohull equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. Whilst he was still leading the way, Loïck Peyron found himself drawn in by a storm squall, void of breeze: “This morning, I ended up stuck beneath a squall for three – four hours. There wasn’t a breath of air and I was manoeuvring in every direction to try to get out of it all. In a multihull, with the speed the boats move, you can better deal with this type of phenomenon, but in a monohull you’re rather compelled to endure it.”
The leading group, which is still pointing southwards, is currently sailing in a zone marked by lines of squalls; an active band which has formed along the northern edge of the zone of high pressure and is causing the solo sailors no end of trouble. However, these very localised and not very predictable phenomena aren’t dishing out the same conditions for everyone: “When I was beneath my squall, I saw Jojo (Sébastien Josse) just off from me and he didn’t seemed to have slowed up much at all!” As a result the skipper of the monohull equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild had little doubt as to the upcoming position report. At 1600 hours, Sébastien Josse was indeed the new leader of this Vendée Globe 2008-2009. Of note is the fact that this ranking has given the boats positioned further east, and hence closer to the direct course, an added edge.

“It’s all highly logical… We’re hitting a buffer zone and as I was leading the way, I was the first to land in the shit! It’s no surprise though, I’d be preparing for it for several days” explained Loïck Peyron, who despite the circumstances was still his usual calm self. “This isn’t the important thing: you mustn’t be distracted by the rankings and the changes in hierarchy as things really only get serious further down the track…” Indeed, the lines of squalls are set to accompany the fleet throughout this 18th day of racing, after which point we’ll see a temporary increase in breeze during the course of tomorrow. However, the return of more clement winds won’t last long as already, the influence of the Saint Helena High will make it’s presence felt, with the wind gradually easing. Indeed, it won’t be until the end of the weekend – the evening of 30th November – that the first 60 foot Imocas are likely to be sailing to the south of this band of high pressure! In short, between now and then, anything could happen and nobody is protected…

Doubtless the close of this 3rd week of racing promises to be tense. Both lucidity and experience will be precious assets in dealing with this tricky passage and finally making it into the southern seas.

Ranking on 27th November – 1600 hours (French time)
1. BT (Sébastien Josse) 19,770 miles from the finish
2. Gitana Eighty (Loïck Peyron) 15.3 miles behind the leader
3. Brit Air (Armel Le Cléac’h) 20.3 miles
4. PRB (Vincent Riou) 26.7 miles
5. Paprec Virbac (Jean-Pierre Dick) 30.2 miles
(…)
Abandons: Groupe Bel (Kito de Pavant), Aquarelle.com (Yannick Bestaven), DCNS (Marc Thiercelin), Hugo Boss (Alex Thomson) and Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore).

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