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.

23.06.2008

Gitana Eighty, second at the midway mark.

The first circuit has been completed for the monohull in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group. After setting out from Saint Nazaire yesterday at 1735 UT, the seven Imoca 60 footers in the running for the Record SNSM, were back in the Loire Estuary mid afternoon this Monday. With half the course in its wake the fleet, led by Jean-Pierre Dick, are…

par Gitana

The race currently underway off the Breton coast in NW France is living up to expectations on the water, with minimal separation between the seven strong fleet of monohulls. After covering 180 miles and completing the initial return trip between Saint-Nazaire and Sainte-Marine, Jean-Pierre Dick and his men have a slight lead. However, it’s still extremely tight racing as the competitors are sailing within sight of each other! On board, the crews are sparing no effort to make the most of the slightest flurry or shift in the breeze in order to remain in contact. Third to round the mark moored at the entrance to the River Odet last night, Loïck Peyron and his four crew rounded the course mark off Saint Nazaire in second position. Gitana Eighty is thus hot on the heels of its sistership, tailed by Cheminées Poujoulat.

Contacted at the start of the afternoon, the skipper of Gitana Eighty described the race so far: “We were a bit behind at the start yesterday, but we quickly got up with the leading pack. As the routing indicated prior to casting off, we had a play around the bay of Quiberon last night. There were a fair number of manœuvres but it was close racing on the water and that makes things very interesting. As we passed the Ile de Groix, off Lorient, we must have got caught up on a fishing pot, and we had to do a fine little reverse manoeuvre under the cover of darkness to get ourselves free. However everything is going very well aboard Gitana Eighty on the whole. We were given a fantastic escort under Groix with a number of dolphins playing close to the boat. Right now, we’re on home ground (the skipper of Gitana Eighty was born in nearby Pouliguen), off Batz-Sur-Mer, which is rather nice” concluded Loïck Peyron prior to going back on deck for another manœuvre.

The crew of Gitana Eighty on the Record SNSM: Loïck Peyron (Skipper), Cyril Dardashti, Antoine Mermod, Didier Le Vourch’, Sébastien Thétiot

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