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.

07.11.2007

Topsy-turvy weather, strategies under review!.

par Gitana

Since late morning on Wednesday, the forerunners of the fleet, all classes included, have had to contend with a meteorological brain-teaser that is forcing each of them to keep reviewing their strategies. After the bracing winds encountered in the ocean off Cape Finisterre, they are admittedly all content to get their breath back, but the depression located to the southwest of the Azores is at odds with all attempts to get a move on. As a result, the rapidly tiring crews now find themselves faced with the need to rethink their strategic options on an hourly basis.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Loïck Peyron and Jean Baptiste Le Vaillant on Gitana Eighty were still confirming the tactical quality the two men have demonstrated unstintingly since the start of the race. For the moment, they are doing very nicely in this complex phase of the contest. Still in third place, the blue monohull, which opted to avoid the ridge of low pressure via the east, is currently gaining ground nicely on their direct opponent Michel Desjoyeaux. Courtesy of this fine attacking coup, Gitana Eighty is preparing to pick up the wind coming from the direction of Gibraltar. Having set out with the aim of testing the boat and measuring himself against the rest of the fleet, Loïck Peyron is yet again demonstrating, if any further proof were needed, his immense enthusiasm and talent.

After two days of silence – due to the demands of sailing -, Loïck Peyron shares his latest thoughts with us:
“This race s a world away from the one two years ago, when the course in the end hardly deviated from the orthodromic (direct) route. In this Canarian archipelago, for example, things are going to be complicated, very complicated. We’re slap-bang in the middle of an anticyclonic Rubik’s cube. Although we’re making slow progress, there’s still a lot of hard work ahead of us. In a nutshell, we’re not out of the woods yet. Fortunately, after our forty knots of wind last night and our 22 to 24-knot spurts which caused us a few frights, we were able recharge our batteries a bit, but it’s still going to be very tough….”

Faced with the same chaotic weather conditions, Gitana 11, meanwhile, has still not decided one way or the other to stop and replace its missing foil.

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