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.

14.07.2005

Thermal breezes !.

For the last couple of days, the Bay of Vigo has been basking in hazy skies and heavy sunshine. However, the heat wave is holding back the longed-for thermal breezes. Although it looks like there will be little of no wind to speak of on Thursday and Friday, the wind should be a little more cooperative this weekend.

par Gitana

It is difficult to forecast what the weather will be like for the Grand Prix de Galice which starts on Friday and finishes on Sunday in the Bay of Vigo. On Monday and Tuesday, the thermal breeze took time to settle as a sluggish front gave rise to hazy skies. Little more than 10 knots skimmed the surface of the course spotted with large windless zones. During the two training sessions launched on Tuesday, the usual hierarchy was rather turned on its head. Those who were first in the morning were last by the evening. This mid-season Grand Prix may mark a turn around in the provisional rankings of the Multihull Championship. What are the chances of Franck Cammas being worried by Frédéric Le Peutrec and the crew of Gitana 11 as they were in Corsica ?

Whatever happens, this is going to be a highly interesting course for the tacticians. There are so many factors to take into account here – relief, tidal currents, thermal breezes (created by the difference in temperature between the sea and the land), the influence of the synoptic wind (created by the pressure gradient of the low and high pressure systems). The outlook for the weekend is a return to normal with the Azores High settling over Europe and the appearance of a low gradient depression over the Iberian Peninsula. This means that there will be a weak NW wind (of 5-10 knots) and as the thermal breeze will be settling over the west towards midday, the wind should be picking up early afternoon to around 10 knots, to 15-18 knots around 16h00. Enough for lively starts for the six trimarans entered !

In the previous 16 rounds of the Grand Prix in this series, Groupama-2 has shown that she is difficult to shake. Never the less, the pressure is loading up in astern. Gitana 11 is on the attack and making aggressive tactical choices. Banque Populaire is turning out to be fast in light air although not that consistent in terms of performance for the time being. Géant is making great progress, particularly in light wind. Foncia is much more aggressive all round particularly on the starts and Gitana X continues to surprise folks with her speed as soon as the wind kicks up. Perhaps we have a surprising Grand Prix de Galice in store. The Bay of Vigo is splendid – a course which opens out onto the sea but which is sheltered from the swell by the Cies islands and the green hills which generate wind corridors. Plenty to keep the strategy guys busy !

Trimarans entered in the Grand Prix de Galice

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

Crew – Gitana X

Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (skipper-helm)
Erwan Le Roux (tactician)
Mayeul Riffet (pit-navigator)
Jochen Krauth (trimmer)
Mathieu Tatibouët (mainsheet)
Yann Le Govic (mainsheet)
Jacques Guichard (trimmer)
Caroline Vieille (trimmer)
Xavier Dagault (wincher)
Antoine Carpentier (n°2/foredeck)
Léopold Lucet (n°1/bowman)

Crew – Gitana 11

Frédéric Le Peutrec (skipper)
Baron Benjamin de Rothschild (performer-navigator)
Yann Guichard (tacticia)
Jean-Baptiste Levaillant (trimmer)
Daniel Souben (trimmer)
Jean-Baptiste Epron (mainsheet)
Alex Quiblier (wincher)
Loïc Le Mignon (wincher)
Antoine Mermod (pit)
François Denis (n°2/foredeck)
Christophe Lassègue (n°1/bowman)

Provisional rankings of the ORMA Multihull Championship:

After the IB Challenge IB Group Challenge (weighting : 3), Grand Prix de Corse (weighting : 1), Giraglia Rolex Cup (weighting : 0.5) and the Grand Prix de Marseille Métropole (weighting : 1) :

1-Pascal Bidégorry (Banque Populaire) 9 points (0+3+2+4)
2-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) 14.5 points (6+4+1,5+3)
3-Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) 16.5 points (9+2+3,5+2)
4-Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) 21 points (21+0+0+0)
5-Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia) 25 points (12+7+1+5)
6-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X) 29.5 points (15+5+2,5+7)
7-Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Progetto Italia) 66 points (51+6+3+6)
8ex-Thomas Coville (Sodebo) 96 points (51+18+9+18)
8ex-Yvan Bourgnon (Brossard) 96 points (51+18+9+18)

Retourner aux articles

Heritage