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.

22.09.2008

Gitana 13 back in familiar waters.

The maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group made its entrance into the Bay of Biscay on Sunday afternoon and is this Monday sailing at the latitude of Bordeaux. They are making headway in rather uncomfortable conditions, close-hauled in steady NE'ly winds, combined with short, big seas. However, aboard Gitana 13, Lionel Lemonchois…

par Gitana

The maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group made its entrance into the Bay of Biscay on Sunday afternoon and is this Monday sailing at the latitude of Bordeaux. They are making headway in rather uncomfortable conditions, close-hauled in steady NE’ly winds, combined with short, big seas. However, aboard Gitana 13, Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew had prepared themselves for these last chaotic miles. At 1315 UT they were 550 miles from their goal.

The passage of Cape Finisterre, at the NW tip of Spain, wasn’t a trifling matter for the ten sailors of Gitana Team: “We had to make a series of tacks all the way along the tip of Galicia: in total close to twenty-three tack changes! It was a really intense rhythm which took a lot out of the crew.” From his offices in Toulouse, Sylvain Mondon, who only very rarely disconnects from his computer, explains this series of manœuvres: “Gitana 13 sailed along the coast of Galicia to shelter from the swell and the more unfavourable wind offshore. Indeed, onshore, there was between 25 and 30 knots of NE’ly breeze (compared with 35 to 40 knot gusts offshore) which enabled them to make sufficient easting before beginning their climb up the Bay of Biscay. This position shift required a great number of manœuvres level with the rocks throughout the whole of Sunday afternoon and a large part of the night. However, the reward for the crew of Gitana 13 is the opportunity to sail close-hauled on starboard tack in ENE’ly winds of between 20 and 25 knots, through 2 to 3 metre high waves. These conditions mean that they’re making laborious headway but they are still a lot less tortuous than if they were further over to the west, where the wind is stronger and there is more of a tendency for them to be headed.”

Despite all this, life aboard the maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild remains complicated: “The seas aren’t very big, but they are rather short and Gitana 13 very often buries her bows in the waves. We’re brought to a stand-still every three minutes, which can lead to a few stylish moves amongst the crew. In these conditions, sleeping is a real mission!” The background noise in the short conversation with Léopold Lucet largely confirms this.

This brisk NE’ly breeze which Lionel Lemonchois and his crew have been exploiting to best effect for the past 24 hours, will accompany the 33 metre maxi-catamaran for their entire passage across the Bay of Biscay as well as for the climb up the English Channel. Their return to steady downwind conditions which are more favourable to Gitana 13, will have to wait until the final hours of the course, between Pas-de-Calais and their arrival in the Thames. The ETA is still scheduled between late evening on 24th September and the morning of 25th September.

A few figures
Gitana 13 left Hong Kong on Thursday 14th August at 07h55’32” (UT)
Monday 22nd September at 0745UT, Gitana 13 was sailing at 44°15.97 N /07°10.80 W

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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