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.

11.11.2007

Sailing at a snail’s pace and down in the doldrums.

At the end of a full week's racing, the leaders of the monohull fleet are continuing their tactical battle amid extremely irregular light air. This race of which the skippers have been bemoaning the slowness is becoming all about grinding the opposition down. For the multihulls, meanwhile, it's doldrums time...

par Gitana

At the end of a full week’s racing, the leaders of the monohull fleet are continuing their tactical battle amid extremely irregular light air. This race of which the skippers have been bemoaning the slowness is becoming all about grinding the opposition down. Loïck Peyron, whose Gitana Eighty was in fourth place at the 16:00 hours check-in, has dubbed it the snails’ world championship and this situation looks set to continue a good while yet, making the race a long one for everyone…

For the multihulls, meanwhile, it’s doldrums time. Still in 1st place, Groupama is preparing to exit them, whereas Gitana 11 – second at the 16:00 check-in – and Banque Populaire are only in the early stages of their struggle. They are engaging in a ding-dong battle while zigzagging through the squalls and resultant strong wind holes, each knowing that they need to emerge as advantageously as possible in order to latch onto the trade winds. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a long night ahead!

IMOCA – 17 registered

Place Bateau / Skipper Latitude Longitude Vit. Cap Dist. But Dist.1er
1 Ecover III
GOLDING MIKE/DUBOIS Bruno 21 03.59′ N 19 22.86′ W 11.2 198 2348.7 0.0
2 Groupe Bel
DE PAVANT Kito/COL Sébastien 21 04.12′ N 19 16.61′ W 11.4 192 2352.0 3.3
3 Safran
GUILLEMOT Marc/CAUDRELIER Charles 21 18.35′ N 19 21.86′ W 11.0 215 2362.1 13.4
4 Gitana Eighty
PEYRON Loick/LEVAILLANT Jean Baptiste 21 13.64′ N 18 59.98′ W 9.8 205 2367.8 19.1
5 VM Matériaux
LE CAM Jean/MORVAN Gildas 21 57.32′ N 19 55.06′ W 13.1 189 2382.2 33.5
6 Foncia
DESJOYEAUX Michel/LE BORGNE Emmanuel 20 58.93′ N 17 19.18′ W 6.6 206 2402.8 54.1
7 Cheminées Poujoulat
STAMM Bernard/CARIOU Tanguy 21 18.34′ N 17 27.68′ W 8.0 214 2415.2 66.5
8 Brit Air
LE CLEAC’H Armel/TROUSSEL Nicolas 22 39.69′ N 19 01.83′ W 11.7 189 2442.6 93.9

ORMA – 5 registered
Place Bateau / Skipper Latitude Longitude Vit. Cap Dist.But Dist. 1er
1 Groupama
CAMMAS Franck/RAVUSSIN Steve 4 37.63′ N 26 29.22′ W 11.1 192 1286.9 0.0
2 Gitana 11
LEMONCHOIS Lionel/GUICHARD Yann 8 08.63′ N 23 03.09′ W 13.1 215 1576.0 289.0
3 Sopra
KOCH Antoine/GENDRON Grégory 13 10.54′ N 22 53.10′ W 21.9 196 1837.4 550.5
4 Brossard
BOURGNON Yvan/VINCENT Jacques 13 39.28′ N 22 42.80′ W 19.7 189 1867.4 580.5
— Banque Populaire
BIDEGORRY Pascal/RAVUSSIN Yvan Non localisé

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