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.

12.11.2007

Deep in the doldrums.

par Gitana

This Monday morning, Gitana 11 passed the threshold of 1,500 miles remaining in the race. But nothing is yet cut and dried for the Route du Rhum 2006-winning trimaran. Currently second in the fleet behind Groupama, Lionel Lemonchois and Yann Guichard are in the grip of the infamous doldrums’ squalls and keeping a watchful eye on Banque Populaire, positioned more to the west. Among the monohulls, Gitana Eighty is up with the leading pack headed by Ecover and now heading slowly for the Cape Verde archipelago.

The highly random conditions encountered by Gitana 11 in the doldrums are at least not preventing the progression of the boat which, despite very irregular winds, is managing to maintain decent averages. On board, vigilance is the order of the day, as this highly distinct area generates an alternation of very strong squalls and zones where the wind is practically nonexistent. The crew has to manage these situations, the main difficulty of which is adjusting the boat’s sails to take advantage of the slightest breeze without then being caught unawares! Lionel Lemonchois and Yann Guichard are currently on a more easterly path than Banque Populaire and hoping to line up a more sustained reaching leg. With Gitana 11’s strength being perfectly suited to this pace, the crew seems confident in their current position, but they still have to emerge in optimum conditions from a doldrums zone which is proving to be large and unstable.

On board Gitana Eighty, Loïck Peyron and Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant are champing at the bit. “I’m going to become 12-knot world champion… it really is a snail’s pace race!” mused Loïck Peyron this morning. The monohull emblazoned with the Rothschild Group’s colours is currently sailing off the African coast amid winds of 8 to 12 knots, and this looks likely to be the case for at least two days yet! Last night, the crew gybed to adopt a more westerly course and are now heading as far as possible south while awaiting a change of wind within the next few hours. Loïck Peyron confesses to be keeping one eye on the westerly option taken by “King Jean”, Jean Le Cam on VM Matériaux, while Michel Desjoyeaux seems to be gradually adjusting his course, his drive to the east having so far failed to bear fruit.

ORMA Ranking at 12pm – 5 registered :

Rank Latitude Longitude Speed Cap Dist. But Dist. 1st
1- Groupama 1 18.13′ N 28 19.89′ W 21.4 212 1059.2 0.0
2- Gitana 11 4 55.06′ N 24 14.61′ W 22.1 201 1377.9 318.6
3- Banque Populaire 6 27.32′ N 25 36.52′ W 13.2 183 1407.8 348.6
4- Sopra 9 05.98′ N 24 30.66′ W 11.7 190 1577.5 518.3
5- Brossard 9 31.64′ N 23 51.32′ W 15.7 186 1619.4 560.2

IMOCA Ranking at 12pm – 17 registered :

Rank Latitude Longitude Speed Cap Dist. But Dist. 1st
1- Ecover III 17 44.80′ N 20 44.48′ W 13.0 190 2137.4 0.0
2- Safran 17 51.57′ N 20 02.02′ W 12.2 176 2163.2 25.8
3- Groupe Bel 17 24.81′ N 18 57.36′ W 10.9 164 2172.1 34.7
4- Gitana Eighty 17 40.43′ N 19 09.08′ W 11.1 164 2179.4 42.1
5- VM Matériaux 19 26.01′ N 22 03.64′ W 9.3 196 2193.3 55.9

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