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.

24.09.2008

The end of the voyage.

After 41 days at sea, the maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group is tackling the very last section of its epic voyage. Setting out from Hong Kong on 14th August 2008 in a bid to set a new reference time on the Tea Route, Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew are continuing their climb up the English Channel and are now just 160 mil…

par Gitana

The last day at sea, especially when it’s been a long voyage such as the Tea Route, always has a very special taste… Still in record mode the ten men of Gitana Team are maintaining their watch rhythm and still making headway in rather unfavourable conditions for their race against the clock. Indeed, the steady NE’ly winds which continue to be served up are only rarely enabling Gitana 13 to exceed 15 knots.

In the lee of the English coast since Tuesday evening in order to protect themselves from the lumpy seas and benefit from a small coastal influence orientating the wind more favourably, the maxi-catamaran was this morning just a few miles off the Isle of Wight, leaving the mouth of the Solent to port. More attentive than ever to Gitana 13’s progress, Sylvain Mondon commented on the current strategy aboard: “These two combined elements have been enabling Gitana 13 to perform a long stretch on port tack from Eddystone Lighthouse (off Plymouth Sound). This fairly favourable tack will take them as far as the approach to the Pas-de-Calais strait, where the conditions will give way to an upwind beat as far as Dover. The final hours in the North Sea and along the River Thames may well be carried out in downwind conditions, which will be less testing on the crew.” From the chart table of the maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, Dominic Vittet completed the scenario of these final hours at sea: “In the afternoon, the NE’ly air flow will head progressively (become less favourable for the boat to make headway) as it shifts round to the east. This will force us to make a series of tacks again as we traverse the English Channel. After Eastbourne, we should thus be able to pick our way towards Le Touquet before climbing up to Dover. Our passage around the SE tip of the United Kingdom will finally bring an end to the interminable beat which has been par for the course since the equator!”

The end of Gitana 13’s voyage is approaching… Tonight or tomorrow morning, Lionel Lemonchois and his men will make their entrance into the River Thames, thus completing their rather atypical ‘circumnavigation of the globe’ which began last January. Doubtless emotions will be running high tomorrow at the foot of Tower Bridge.

A few figures

Gitana 13 left Hong Kong on Thursday 14th August at 07h55’32” (UT)
Wednesday 24th September at 0945UT, Gitana 13 was sailing at 50°34.73N/01°06.23W
Watch No1: Lionel Lemonchois (Skipper / watch leader / helmsman) / Olivier Wroczynski (trimmer /head of computers and power) / David Boileau (Bowman / head of deck fittings)

Watch No.2: Ludovic Aglaor (watch leader / helmsman) / Laurent Mermod (trimmer) / Ronan Le Goff (Bowman)

Watch No.3: Pascal Blouin (Watch leader / helmsman) / Ronan Guérin (trimmer) / Léopold Lucet (No.1, head of supplies and doctor)

Outside the watch system: Dominic Vittet (navigator)

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