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.

09.02.2008

Starting fresh.

par Gitana

After an excessively long closure for bad weather, the Gitana 13 gym has again thrown open its doors since rounding Cape Horn. Onboard, one thing is clear: there’s a before and an after. When we rounded Cape Horn, we hit the reset button. Forgotten are the 22+ days on the first part of the course…we’re only interested in part 2, which we started yesterday. The final calculations can wait for the Golden Gate Bridge!
Since we rounded Cape Horn Island pretty close to midnight UT, we can count using full days—quite practical.

Yesterday, as we got back into the swing of things, we covered a net 330 miles. We traveled much farther on the water since we had to go more west than planned to get around a small secondary low-pressure system and to prepare for a major low-pressure system blocking our path which we will reach in the middle of the day today. While we have done some of our favorite sequences—small gennaker, big gennaker, small again, genoa staysail, jibing, etc.—today we will engage in a sail-change exercise that is more difficult because it’s intellectually unsatisfying: solent, staysail, and ORC jib, along with various reefs! All this to get by a very active front that will again keep us hopping. Until then, we are taking full advantage of this stretch of water. Today, Friday, was a sort of reward despite the overcast sky, drizzle and chill. It had been so long since our speedometer registered 25-28 knots that we had nearly forgotten how great it is!

Goodnight

Nicolas Raynaud

Just like in the books…

…And to top it off, I was there!

2 failed attempts, one of which was pretty close…
1 week of lying-to on rough seas, white with foam, with noble albatrosses caught up in the mix.1 exhausting week, full of low-lying clouds indicative of strong and turbulent winds, during which feelings run high for no good reason, and you need to find something to keep yourself busy, and not think too much about tomorrow. And then one day, someone asked: When? And our dear navigator replied solemnly: “Tomorrow.”
We prepared meticulously during the calm for the long-awaited departure, timid in the early morning in a partial calm. The strait came first, with its rough chop, a boat-rattler that we made our way through slowly.
Then we sailed toward the Rock in the face of swells from the Pacific, a long day. And finally, in the evening, appearing out of the mist, through eyes reddened by the sea spray, we saw a dark mass emerge: there it was, proud and impressive, watching over this passage for millennia.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1…am I dreaming? No, I’m awake…at Cape Horn.
It’s happened: I’m a Cape Horner, which gives me something to talk about over drinks…and maybe I’ll get a long-coveted earring.

Zolive

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