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.

19.09.2008

Gitana 13 opens her sails.

Aboard the maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, there's more of a festive spirit than yesterday. By dint of patience and perseverance, Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew have managed to switch across to the correct side of the stormy low, which is currently reigning supreme off Madeira. This is excellent news as Gitana 13 can m…

par Gitana

Aboard the maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, there’s more of a festive spirit than yesterday. By dint of patience and perseverance, Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew have managed to switch across to the correct side of the stormy low, which is currently reigning supreme off Madeira. This is excellent news as Gitana 13 can make a direct course towards Cape Finisterre.

Yesterday evening, the crew of Gitana 13 was preparing for another laborious night in very light winds, but the weather decided otherwise to the delight of our ten sailors: “The wind is finally in the right direction! We’ve hoisted the gennaker and we’ve been sailing downwind since early morning. We were expecting an epic night with a total lack of breeze for hours on end, but finally we only came to a standstill for a lowly hour between 0430 and 0530 hrs, instead of the expected six hours” explained Dominic Vittet, enthusiastic about these more favourable conditions for a record attempt.

However, the reward of this downwind sailing is the fruit of considerable effort: “Throughout the whole of yesterday and last night, we were sailing through storms. All of a sudden, we were spending our time rolling in the sails, dumping them, changing tack… amidst an atmosphere of light patches and gusts a number of different manoeuvres were called for so it was all hands on deck” explained the onboard navigator, before going on to describe the enchanting spectacle of the storms: “It was quite incredible. The thunder was rumbling about us in every direction and the lightning was striking pretty much all around, lighting up the horizon! It was a really good sea storm…” Though the sky seems to have cleared for Gitana 13 this morning, vigilance remains paramount. Indeed, the satellite images reveal numerous storm masses which are still circling in the vicinity.

Tomorrow night, the maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group will pass to the immediate west of Madeira, some 167 miles away this morning, prior to negotiating a new gybe. This umpteenth manœuvre will enable Lionel Lemonchois and his men to make a direct course towards Cape Finisterre. This morning, Gitana 13 was still 880 miles from the NW tip of Spain, which the crew hopes to round at best during the course of the night of 20th September.

A few figures
Gitana 13 left Hong Kong on Thursday 14th August at 07h55’32” (UT)
Friday 19th September at 0745UT, Gitana 13 was sailing at 30°51.27 N /19°47.82 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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