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.

19.08.2005

Titleholder.

Since last year's run of the Défi Petit Navire – Penn Ar Bed Finistère created by Gwen Chapalain and organised in Douarnenez (Finistère), Frédéric Le Peutrec has held the title for the best time. He describes what it was like as the crew of Gitana 11 managed to sail an average speed of 32.14 knots over a distance of 9.2 miles!

par Gitana

Since last year’s run of the Défi Petit Navire – Penn Ar Bed Finistère created by Gwen Chapalain and organised in Douarnenez (Finistère), Frédéric Le Peutrec has held the title for the best time. He describes what it was like as the crew of Gitana 11 managed to sail an average speed of 32.14 knots over a distance of 9.2 miles!

The Défi Petit Navire – Penn Ar Bed Finistère is open to multihulls more than 60 feet long, to the ORMA multihulls and to 50 foot multihulls, to speed prototypes, windsurf and kitesurf boards. Starting lines are open from 11h00 until 19h00 on 19th and 20th August, and again from 11h00 until 18h00 on 21st August. The event involves covering one section from a mark laid off Rosmeur (Douarnenez) and one of three marks – A, B or C laid 5 miles from the Rosmeur mark. Competitors can make any number of attempts within the time limit. Only the best time achieved by each competitor is retained for the final overall rankings.

« Last year, there was tons of wind for the Défi Petit Navire. We hit an average of 32.14 knots over the 9.2 miles of the course! The best wind angle is around 120° with a Solent jib up and with one reef in the main, in true win speed of amore than 20 knots. We actually started out pretty slowly at around 28-30 knots as there was less wind closer to the coast, then we picked up speed to around 39.7 knots. It was touch and go as you had to stay in lane so as not to obstruct the others.
This time round, the courses were shorter (down to five instead of nine miles) and there were three different options for choosing your angle in relation to the wind. If the wind decides to kick in (which is likely to be the case on Friday), we should be able to improve upon the time we set last year… What’s more, we’ll be able to make lots more attempts, probably even making a few runs in the squalls as a low pressure system passes over England. The best time should be attained on Friday. Conditions are likely to be ideal with a nor’ westerly blow of over 20 knots. An interesting challenge ahead against Orange-2, Bruno Peyron’s giant catamaran. »

Crew – Gitana 11

Frédéric Le Peutrec
Yann Guichard
Daniel Souben
Alexandre Quiblier
Jean-Baptiste Epron
François Denis
Christophe Lassègue

Retourner aux articles

Heritage