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.

13.08.2008

A window opens for Gitana 13.

On standby in Hong Kong to set off on the Tea Route, the crew of Gitana 13 may well take centre stage tomorrow, Thursday 14th August. Indeed, with the boat ready to go and all the crew on Chinese soil, all that remained was a favourable weather window for the maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group to set off. This window now seem…

par Gitana

Relaunched last week, Gitana 13 has been wisely sitting it out in Sai Kung marina, situated to the NE of Hong Kong, awaiting the right gap in the weather. In this way, Lionel Lemonchois, Dominic Vittet – the onboard navigator – and Sylvain Mondon have been examining the forecasts in the China Sea for several days in order to target a suitable window. The various scenarios observed seem to have been confirmed and tomorrow is likely to see the 33 metre catamaran and its ten crew bid farewell to Asia. Bound for London, Gitana 13 will have to cover more than 15,000 miles.

It is worth remembering that the sailors of Gitana Team are preparing to set off on their seventh and final record attempt in their 2008 campaign; a succession of records which have already proven successful, with most notably the new reference time on the Route de l’Or (New York – San Francisco, via Cape Horn) as well as the North Pacific Crossing between San Francisco and Yokohama.

The exact time selected by the skipper of Gitana 13 for casting off remains to be decided however.

Crew aboard Gitana 13 for the Tea Route
Lionel Lemonchois (Skipper)
Dominic Vittet (navigator)
Ludovic Aglaor / Pascal Blouin / David Boileau/ Léopold Lucet / Ronan Le Goff / Olivier Wroczynski / Ronan Guérin / Laurent Mermod

Gitana 13’s records
Route de l’Or (New York – San Francisco, via Cape Horn): in 43 days 3 minutes 18 seconds (February 2008)
North Pacific Crossing (San Francisco – Yokohama): in 11 days 12 minutes 55 seconds (April 2008)
Yokohama – Dalian: 3 days 20 hours 19 minutes and 11 seconds
Dalian – Qingdao: 23 hours 50 minutes and 20 seconds
Qingdao – Taiwan: 3 days 52 minutes and 15 seconds
Taipei – Hong-Kong: 1 day 58 minutes 27 seconds

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