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.

25.03.2008

Gitana 13 to attack the North Pacific crossing.

The maxi-catamaran's 2008 record campaign in the colours of the LCF Rothschild group continues… Just weeks after its victorious finish in San Francisco, where it racked up a new reference time from the Route de l'Or (New York – San Francisco via Cape Horn) in 43 days 3 minutes and 18 seconds (a time approved by the WSSRC), the crew of Gitana 13 wil…

par Gitana

The maxi-catamaran’s 2008 record campaign in the colours of the LCF Rothschild group continues… Just weeks after its victorious finish in San Francisco, where it racked up a new reference time from the Route de l’Or (New York – San Francisco via Cape Horn) in 43 days 3 minutes and 18 seconds (a time approved by the WSSRC), the crew of Gitana 13 will take to the seas again. Lionel Lemonchois and his men will be attacking the North Pacific crossing record between San Francisco and Yokohama; a record which today belongs to French sailor Olivier de Kersauson and his crew aboard a 34 metre trimaran Geronimo. The crew of Gitana 13 will have to better the reference time of 14 days 22 hours 40 minutes and 41 seconds to be able to add a new record to their conquests.

Lionel Lemonchois, skipper of the maxi-catamaran Gitana 13, shares his view of the course with us: “At first glance, you might well believe that the North Pacific crossing is a rather nice little stroll through the tradewinds, but when you look at it in more depth things are actually a bit more complicated. In reality it is a winding, complex course, which is likely to prove fairly demanding for the men and the machine alike. However, as always, this is what makes the challenge more appealing! The time to beat being fourteen days and a few hours, it may be considered to be a short record, compared with the Route de l’Or, which lasted over 43 days (laughs). On this second record of the season, there won’t be any appointed onboard navigator (a position which Dominic Vittet occupied between New York and San Francisco). Instead I’ll be concentrating more on this part, with the same precious help from Sylvain Mondon on shore. We will be welcoming Kojiro Shiraishi, a Japanese sailor aboard, as this mix of cultures is something Gitana Team wished for when it committed itself to this rather atypical Round the World.”

Given the latest weather information from Sylvain Mondon (Météo France), Gitana 13 may well set off to tackle this new record at the end of the week: “We were aiming for a gap around 27th, 28th March but the window seems to have shifted slightly and today we’re focusing more on a departure between 29th and 31st March. The situation which the various weather files are presenting will enable the crew of Gitana 13 to gain westing for 3 to 4 days to hunt down the tradewinds. It’s an attractive configuration in terms of gaining ground along the route.”

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