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.

17.07.2005

Iberian thermal breeze.

The Spanish round of the Multihull Championship did not turn out to be that favourable for the Gitana Team. In spite of one or two nice shots, there was good and bad. Almost all of the six courses were run in fickle light air kicked up by a thermal breeze.

par Gitana

Gitana 11 got off to some great starts phases which were a little less incisive for Gitana X. Tough tactical choices for Frédéric Le Peutrec, sound strategical options for Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, with a few rotten passes for the « Eleven » with some winning returns for the « Ten ». A « yo-yo » event for the Gitana Team in La Galicia ! Gitana 11 came to within one point of the podium and Gitana X took fifth… with one point also ! The fleet often had no choice but to sit back and wait for the thermal breeze to kick into Vigo which generally ocurred around midday. This gave the fleet around twelve knots, falling off to around 8 knots towards the end of the afternoon, to blow out almost completely by early evening.

The wind was within the range which suits neither of the Gitana trimarans, seldom exceeding 8 knots. That was borne out by the results. Frédéric Le Peutrec was much more in the match at the start of the day when the thermal breeze was still dynamic, but much less so in the afternoon, as the wind fell off. Thierry Duprey du Vorsent had an encouraging first day with an excellent downwind run in the first race taking him ahead of Foncia and Géant !

The last day of the event got off to a strong start for Frédéric Le Peutrec and his crew who were back on the attack for second place overall. Setting off to the right hand side of the course where conditions were clearly favourable, Gitana 11 tacked off Groupama-2’s stern fending off Banque Populaire through to the finish, whereas Géant put on a counter-performance… So the second and final race of the Grand Prix de Galice assumed major importance on Sunday, essential to determine the finishing order behind Franck Cammas, out of reach.

Frédéric Le Peutrec took the starboard option to mark his priority compared with the fleet who had opted for a start off to the left hand side of the course. Even if Gitana 11 was in front of everyone and forced Foncia to change course, the left side along the quayside was not the best option in Vigo this time round. When it was time to head for the windward mark, the trimaran was fifth just behind Groupama-2, who had not got off to a brilliant start – and just ahead of Gitana X ! It looked as though second, even third, place was beyond reach as Pascal Bidegorry had made a break away with Michel Desjoyeaux hot on his heels. Armel Le Cléac’h had no intention of giving up without a fight !

Groupama-2 was faster as climbed up through the ranks to find herself within spitting distance of Banque Populaire at the finish of the three lap windward leeward loop. Frédéric Le Peutrec just couldn’t get in front of Armel Le Cléac’h, relegating Gitana 11 to fourth place of this sixth round overall. As for Gitana X, the rather sluggish thermal breezes did not suit her in the slightest. Thierry Duprey du Vorsent and his crew could do no better than sixth.

Rankings – Round 5 :

W/SW (240°) 10-12 knots, decreasing to 8 knots, decreasing further to 5 knots, calm sea, two laps of a windward/leeward loop off Vigo.

1-Franck Cammas (Groupama-2)
2-Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11)
3-Pascal Bidegorry (Banque Populaire)
4-Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia)
5-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant)
6-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X)

Rankings – Round 6 :

W/SW (240°) 8 knots, decreasing to 5 knots, calm sea, three laps of a windward/leeward loop off Vigo.

1-Pascal Bidegorry (Banque Populaire)
2-Franck Cammas (Groupama-2)
3-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant)
4-Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11)
5-Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia)
6-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X)

Overall rankings in the Grand Prix de Galice after six races :

1-Franck Cammas – Groupama-2 (1+1+1+1+1+2) 7 points
2-Pascal Bidegorry – Banque Populaire (2+3+4+3+3+1) 16 points
3-Michel Desjoyeaux – Géant (5+2+2+2+5+3) 19 points
4-Frédéric Le Peutrec – Gitana 11 (3+4+3+4+2+4) 20 points
5-Armel Le Cléac’h – Foncia (6+7+5+5+4+5) 32 points
6-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent – Gitana X (4+5+6+6+6+6) 33 points

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