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.

15.06.2007

Domaine du Mont d’Arbois 6th in the Cap Istanbul.

The Cap Istanbul (double-handed race from Marseilles to Istanbul) came to an end late on Thursday afternoon for Domaine du Mont d'Arbois, the Gitana Team's Figaro vessel. The skipper, Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, and his co-skipper, Kito de Pavant, finished sixth overall in the provisional classification. To all intents and purposes, this Mediterrane…

par Gitana

The Cap Istanbul (double-handed race from Marseilles to Istanbul) came to an end late on Thursday afternoon for Domaine du Mont d’Arbois, the Gitana Team’s Figaro vessel. The skipper, Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, and his co-skipper, Kito de Pavant, finished sixth overall in the provisional classification. To all intents and purposes, this Mediterranean race served as a trial for the big event of the summer, the Solitaire du Figaro. We look back at three weeks of intense racing.

Back at the start in Marseilles on 26 May, Thierry Duprey du Vorsent savoured his final moments on land in the company of his Team Manager, Loïck Peyron, who offered him a few final tips before leaving the deck. Accompanied by his co-skipper, Kito de Pavant, Thierry Duprey du Vorsent then got off to a cracking start and the duo never left the leading positions all the way to Trapani in Sicily, securing third place for the stage. This first leg had been contested at a swift pace, especially on the last day, when Domaine du Mont d’Arbois was zipping along at between 16 and 20 knots. At 800 miles in length, the second stage was more complex. Linking Sicily to Turkey, it was marked by highly variable weather conditions, with winds varying between 0 and 45 knots and a sea that was flat as a pancake one minute and very choppy the next. Domaine du Mont d’Arbois was the 5th vessel to reach the finish in Turkey, after which there were two shorter stages on route to Istanbul. Thierry Duprey du Vorsent and Kito de Pavant, in the upper echelons of the general classification at the start, experienced several difficulties, most notably on the 4th and final stage of the Cap Istanbul. Having finally taken 6th position in this Mediterranean event, Thierry Duprey du Vorsent looks back at these three weeks of sailing.

Learning and performance…

After a BPE Trophy in April when the Gitana Team skipper made a magnificent start to the race, this provisional 6th place bodes well for the future. Thierry Duprey du Vorsent was nonetheless unable to hide a touch of disappointment at not being on the podium, but was full of enthusiasm about an exciting race and a fast-track apprenticeship alongside Kito de Pavant.
“My overall assessment of the Cap Istanbul is generally positive. It was a fine race which in particular allowed me to get to grips with the pace I’ll have to deal with on the Solitaire this summer. It’s very different to sail for 3 or 4 days, to stop for 48 hours and then to set off again. I suppose it’s a matter of habit… In terms of sporting performance, Kito and I were in with a shout right through the first three stages. The fourth, during which we slipped down a couple of positions, was difficult. My partnership with Kito has been really beneficial and hopefully effective for what lies ahead. I’ve learned a lot alongside him, but I’m going to have to organise myself more and be very structured, because Figaros are boats that require constant manoeuvring. This summer’s Solitaire? It’s not going to be easy, as the field is very competitive and working with Kito for three weeks has confirmed to me that the gap in levels is considerable between the experienced skippers and the less experienced ones like me. I’m going to carry on training in order to bridge that gap between now and start of the Solitaire”.

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