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.

12.12.2007

Calm… before the storm?.

par Gitana

With less than 450 miles to go to the finish, Loïck Peyron is maintaining and consolidating his position as leader, still followed by Michel Desjoyeaux and Kito de Pavant, who currently lie some fifty miles behind. Close to Cape Finisterre, Loïck Peyron and Gitana Eighty have just entered a transitional zone between a southerly wind emanating from the Portuguese coast and an easterly breeze coming from Spain. These relatively windless conditions look set to put the brakes on the leading trio’s progress for a further ten hours and could well see the gaps between them narrow.

Loïck Peyron has been giving his thoughts on this period of calm ahead of the home straight :

“For the moment, the weather’s still really pleasant but it’s not going to last and tonight will probably be rough and choppy. Right now, I’m allowing myself a frugal meal, an almost summery concoction of sweet corn and peas! I’ve got a stew left for tonight, which is better because the temperature is starting to get a bit fresh! Everything’s going quite well so far and the boat, unlike the many that have taken a bit of a battering, is in excellent shape. I’ve just gone into a transitional zone that’s quite tricky to handle, with fairly weak south to south-easterly winds. My rivals seem to be moving a bit faster, but it won’t be long before they hit this area themselves and are slowed down. The gaps between us could well be cut over the coming hours. These low winds are going to remain for the next ten hours or so, after which the breeze should pick up considerably and make the night fairly rough. We’re probably in for a pretty lively time and will have to be careful not to come a cropper. After that, Gitana Eighty will sail close hauled until the finish, which I would estimate will be early evening tomorrow if this transitional zone doesn’t hold us up too much over the coming hours.“

10:00 ranking:

Rank	Boat Name	Latitude	Longitude	Speed-mg	Speed	Cap	Date – Time	Dist. arrivée	Dist. 1er
1	Gitana Eighty	43 43.92′ N	12 35.04′ W	11.7	11.9	62	12/12/2007 10:00am	437.00	0.00
2	Foncia	43 00.32′ N	13 16.40′ W	12.5	12.5	55	12/12/2007 10:00am	487.70	50.70
3	Groupe Bel	43 18.00′ N	13 59.96′ W	13.3	13.4	59	12/12/2007 09:00am	488.50	51.50
4	Generali	42 37.88′ N	15 28.20′ W	13.9	13.9	48	12/12/2007 10:00am	577.50	140.50
5	Safran	42 16.76′ N	16 01.64′ W	15.7	15.8	57	12/12/2007 10:00am	610.00	173.00
6	Cheminées Poujoulat	40 18.28′ N	19 17.00′ W	15.5	15.8	39	12/12/2007 10:00am	798.60	361.60
7	Roxy	35 23.04′ N	24 42.92′ W	9.1	9.1	45	12/12/2007 09:00am	1178.60	741.70
8	Cervin EnR	35 26.12′ N	24 36.00′ W	12.7	13.6	24	12/12/2007 10:00am	1181.60	744.60
9	Akena Vérandas	33 11.24′ N	25 34.84′ W	2.5	4.4	346	12/12/2007 10:00am	1313.40	876.40
10	Maisonneuve	32 44.04′ N	25 49.48′ W	4.1	5.1	6	12/12/2007 10:00am	1341.90	904.90

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