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.

09.04.2007

The anticyclone and the trade winds have changed the deal.

Thierry Duprey du Vorsent and his boat Domaine du Mont d'Arbois find themselves positioned 13th in the BPE Trophy after the latest standings were released at 18.00 on Easter Monday. The Gitana Team skipper struggled with some light winds over the previous 36 hours, whereas his competitors, who sought out trade winds a lot further south, reaped the…

par Gitana

Thierry Duprey du Vorsent and his boat Domaine du Mont d’Arbois find themselves positioned 13th in the BPE Trophy after the latest standings were released at 18.00 on Easter Monday. The Gitana Team skipper struggled with some light winds over the previous 36 hours, whereas his competitors, who sought out trade winds a lot further south, reaped the rewards of their patient approach since the race began.

Speaking this afternoon, Thierry explained that he has been “sailing with the wind for the last few hours, and I should be getting nine-to-12-knot winds over the next three days. The data I’ve got isn’t very conclusive and isn’t exactly telling me the same thing as my two barometers but, hey, a transatlantic race is all about instinct as well!”

The Domaine du Mont d’Arbois skipper added that he is under no illusions concerning his rivals to the extreme south, but that the group of boats closer to his position remain very much within his reach.

With a touch of humour, Thierry Duprey du Vorsent then revealed that, “the boat had been practically dry since the last area of low pressure and the Easter church bells rang a little earlier than planned. My Easter eggs came out of their packaging slightly ahead of schedule and I had to eat them about four or five days ago.”

There ought to be a lot of excitement ahead this week as surely nobody would dare predict a finishing position for Thierry at this stage. The competition remains very open.

Ranking, Monday 9 April – 18.00:

Rank	Boat / Skipper	Latitude	Longitude	Speed	Cap	Dist. But	Dist. 1st
1	Défi Mousquetaires Thomas Rouxel	15 11.12′ N	42 55.82′ W	8.5	282	1069.3	0.0
2	BostikCharles Caudrelier	15 09.84′ N	42 52.51′ W	7.9	241	1071.3	2.0
3	Financo Nicolas Troussel	13 09.00′ N	42 23.37′ W	8.7	244	1116.9	47.6
4	Sojasun Liz Wardley	16 21.16′ N	41 59.05′ W	8.7	269	1120.0	50.7
5	Theolia Robert Nagy	24 33.59′ N	43 27.80′ W	8.0	231	1136.6	67.3
6	Gedimat Armel Tripon	23 48.26′ N	42 58.87′ W	7.5	228	1144.2	74.9
7	A.ST Groupe Marc Emig	22 40.54′ N	42 15.85′ W	6.2	239	1157.9	88.6
8	Luisina Eric Drouglazet	22 38.60′ N	41 50.41′ W	8.4	240	1180.8	111.5
9	Aquarelle.com Yannick Bestaven	20 32.94′ N	41 13.37′ W	8.6	227	1183.5	114.2
10	Groupe Céléos Ronan Treussart	22 17.93′ N	41 34.91′ W	9.2	226	1187.8	118.5
11	Les Mousquetaires Bertrand de Broc	22 11.05′ N	41 21.08′ W	8.8	230	1198.8	129.6
12	Cercle Vert Gildas Morvan	21 30.99′ N	40 59.99′ W	8.0	235	1206.8	137.5
13	Domaine du Mont d’Arbois Thierry Duprey du Vorsent	26 07.92′ N	42 24.32′ W	7.0	219	1222.8	153.0

Source www.tropheebpe.com

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