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.

23.01.2008

Gitana 13 crossed the equator on Wednesday at 8:24am.

Skipper Lionel Lemonchois and the rest of Gitana 13's crew are entering the second week of sailing along the Route de l'Or (New York – San Francisco via Cape Horn). They left New York on Wednesday, 16 January at 5:29pm (French time). The 33-meter maxi-catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has already reached the southern hemisphere.…

par Gitana

Skipper Lionel Lemonchois and the rest of Gitana 13’s crew are entering the second week of sailing along the Route de l’Or (New York – San Francisco via Cape Horn). They left New York on Wednesday, 16 January at 5:29pm (French time). The 33-meter maxi-catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has already reached the southern hemisphere. After seven days at sea and more than 4,000 miles, skipper Lionel Lemonchois summed up the situation: “We were sure kept busy onboard Gitana 13 these past few days!

The seas were rough during this first stretch, which meant non-stop work for the crew—who rose to the challenge. The pace on deck was relentless, but when I look at how fast we reached the equator, I know that it was all worth it. We had projected 6 to 7 days, and we were right on. Our goal was to sail cautiously—but fast. Our strategy has paid off so far, because the boat’s in mint condition, sailing at 100% of its potential. Léo took advantage of the calm seas yesterday afternoon to check the mast, which is in good shape.”
In addition to successfully managing boat and rig, Lemonchois is satisfied with Gitana 13’s trajectory since New York: “We exceeded the orthodromy (Ed.: the direct route) by only 50 miles. The wind was on our side, and although we had a lot of sail changes, we’ve been on the same tack for more than six days.”

Leaving the equator in its wake

Faithful to its reputation, the Intertropical Convergence Zone produced some surprises. A few hours before Gitana 13 reached the Doldrums, weather forecasts called for a high level of activity, including violent squalls. But in the end, Lemonchois and his team encountered the Doldrums’ alter ego: flat calms. “This crossing reminded me of our experience on Orange II during the 2005 Jules Verne Trophy. A light breeze, no squalls to speak of and not a cloud on the horizon…you would have said a beautiful tradewind sky!” So these were the conditions in which the maxi-catamaran’s crew crossed the equator on Wednesday at 8:24am (French time), only 6 days, 14 hours and 52 minutes after passing Ambrose Lighthouse.
This foray into the southern hemisphere marks the first equator crossing for four of the ten crewmembers: Olivier Wroczynski, Léopold Lucet, Fred Le Maîstre and David Boileau.

Now that it’s completely clear of the Doldrums, Gitana 13 should soon reach the southeasterly trade winds and pick up speed. Sylvain Mondon offered this projection: “As soon as they reach the trades, Lionel Lemonchois and his crew will have a freeing wind for a few days. Then, south of Brazil, a transition zone lasting around 24 hours is expected, with very weak winds to negotiate.”

A bit of history

On 24 January 1848, 160 years ago nearly to the day, James Wilson Marshall discovered gold on the banks of the American River. News of this discovery spread around the world in just a few months, causing a mass exodus to California: the Gold Rush was on. For those traveling from the East Coast, there was a continent to cross, and, at the time, the overland trip was long and dangerous. This led many people to opt for the sea route to the West Coast, via Cape Horn. Thus was born a new maritime route: New York to San Francisco.

Gitana 13’s crew of ten

The maxi-catamaran’s crew is divided into three watches, each comprising three men: one watch works on deck, one waits on stand-by ready to lend a hand, and the third rests. They are using a three-hour watch system. The boat’s navigator is off-watch because he has to focus on analyzing the weather and optimizing the boat’s trajectory—but sometimes he’s called on to help on the platform.

Watch 1: Lionel Lemonchois (skipper) / Olivier Wroczynski / Florent Chastel
Watch 2: Ludovic Aglaor (watch leader) / Fred Le Maistre / David Boileau
Watch 3: Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (watch leader) / Nicolas Raynaud / Léopold Lucet
Off-watch: Dominic Vittet

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