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.

25.01.2008

Approaching a stormy low-pressure system.

Lionel Lemonchois and his crew of nine have been sailing along the coast of Brazil for the past 24 hours. At 14° south latitude, the mood is summery onboard Gitana 13. The stifling heat inside the maxi-catamaran's hulls requires shorts and t-shirts. On deck, however, oilskins are quickly donned once the speedometer tops 20 knots.

par Gitana

Lionel Lemonchois and his crew of nine have been sailing along the coast of Brazil for the past 24 hours. At 14° south latitude, the mood is summery onboard Gitana 13. The stifling heat inside the maxi-catamaran’s hulls requires shorts and t-shirts. On deck, however, oilskins are quickly donned once the speedometer tops 20 knots.

Ten days on the same tack

Gitana 13’s crew has not changed tack since sailing out of New York on January 16—a distance of over 5,000 miles. This remarkable fact points to the good string of weather that Team Gitana has experienced. “We haven’t tacked or jibed since crossing the starting line at the foot of Ambrose Lighthouse. It’s incredible, we’ve been on port tack (Ed.: meaning the wind comes in over the left side of the boat) since 16 January. Our first change of tack is planned for tomorrow—Saturday—in the afternoon,” said Dominic Vittet.

On Thursday, Lionel Lemonchois and his crew took advantage of a slower-than-normal day in terms of sail changes and adjustments to recharge their batteries. “In recent hours, we have strictly followed the watch system (Ed.: the first watch on deck, the second on stand-by and the third resting), so that everyone can get a maximum of rest,” said Vittet. “Lionel, as part of his expert crew management, decided to include me on certain watches as we neared and then crossed the Doldrums. But then, the return of more stable conditions has freed me from watch duty to focus on the weather. At least for the time being…” Vittet, the onboard navigator, is already hard at work on the next weather challenge on this route from New York to San Francisco.

According to Sylvain Mondon’s latest forecast, a stormy low-pressure system will form up ahead, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, during the day Saturday. This weather activity will force the maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild to put some distance between it and the coast of Brazil. The idea is to sail around the eastern side of this zone before steering back toward the Great South Land and Cape Horn. The team hopes to round Cape Horn on or about 2 February.

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