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.

26.02.2008

Change of tack towards the finish.

Aboard Gitana 13, the countdown is on! Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew are set to conclude their Route de l'Or record attempt within the next two days, with the new reference time between New York and San Francisco thrown in. Making the most of these last few moments at sea, the ten men aboard the maxi-catamaran are concentrated on sailing thei…

par Gitana

Aboard Gitana 13, the countdown is on! Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew are set to conclude their Route de l’Or record attempt within the next two days, with the new reference time between New York and San Francisco thrown in. Making the most of these last few moments at sea, the ten men aboard the maxi-catamaran are concentrated on sailing their steed at its full potential over the 500 miles, which separate them from the finish this morning.

Last Friday, at the exit to the Doldrums, Lionel Lemonchois envisaged Gitana 13’s last few days at sea as a ‘punishment’; with long hours of upwind conditions, unfavourable to the performance of the 33 metre catamaran. However, despite having to try to make headway in headwinds, they are benefiting from a slightly more open angle – from the NE – as well as a less powerful air flow than that forecast. A combination, which is enabling them to rack up over 370 miles per day despite slightly bigger seas over the past few hours: “We have suffered the remains of a N’ly swell stemming from a large low, which crossed the latitude of San Francisco. However, the seas should gradually become more organised and enable us to slip along again. We are doing better than the routing but we’re sailing safe and as soon as the wind climbs beyond 25 knots we’ll ease off the pace. Gitana 13 really performs well close-hauled between 13 and 18 knots. This corresponds with the conditions we have benefited from in the main throughout the weekend and yesterday” specified Lionel Lemonchois.

At the start of the afternoon, the crew of the maxi-catamaran, equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, should change over onto a port tack towards San Francisco, in a NW’ly air flow. The miles covered now will count towards the number of miles made good along the course, that is unless Lionel Lemonchois and his men have to perform any further manoeuvres to adapt to the wind fluctuations.

In a good humoured atmosphere, the end of this course is being accompanied by some great moments aboard Gitana 13. In this way, the symbolic barrier of 1,000 miles left to go was crossed on Sunday night and was rightly celebrated: “Certain ‘small pleasures’ were embarked to celebrate a few important passages such as crossing the equator on two occasions… We drank to our passage under the 1,000 miles to go with a small ginger rum and some squares of chocolate!” said the skipper of Gitana 13 gleefully.

The maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group passed the Mexican coastline of Lower California this morning. Its arrival in San Francisco is still estimated to be on Thursday 28th February (US time), that is eight hours on from French time given the time difference.

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