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.

12.06.2005

A lively Grand Prix.

Seven rounds were raced all in all with a race Round Corsica in varied conditions. Four rounds were run on Saturday in medium to strong wind with two windward leeward courses in light air. Gitana 11 finishes second and Gitana X fifth with the certainty that the time spent in the shed this winter was not in vain, and without which a veritable leap w…

par Gitana

Concentration and patience paid off. A Zen attitude was required to tackle both of today’s rounds in a very light NW breeze of around 3 to 7 knots. Coastal phenomenon and calm zones made their presence felt. Frédéric Le Peutrec and his crew found the going tougher in these conditions. In spite of an excellent start where Gitana 11 managed to get ahead of Groupama-2 and Géant before the starting shot was fired. Both had to take a 360° penalty turn. Franck Cammas came back into contact within 5 meters and was even able to block the fleet at the compulsory change of tack by the citadels in Calvi.
Sailing almost at the speed of a snail on a ski slope (sic), no real tactical option other than follow my leader was open to the rest of the fleet. The hierarchy was in place by the time the fleet reached the windward mark, with Gitana 11 fourth and Gitana X seventh.

The following round was almost identical with fickle winds in terms of direction, although steadier in strength, shifting 20° just after the start over to the right where Franck Cammas had gone. Groupama-2 had no trouble clocking up his seventh win whereas Gitana 11 moved up to fourth and Gitana X just could not come back on the fleet, in spite of having negotiated the first stretch of the course really well.

The final outcome of this Grand Prix de Corse is therefore highly positive. Frédéric Le Peutrec and his crew were the only team to have been able to give Groupama-2 cause for concern, retaining their lead over Banque Populaire, Foncia and Géant, their most dangerous opponents. For half the crew on Gitana X, this was the first Grand Prix. Quite a success as four times they were ahead of TIM-Progetto Italia but most of all, she managed to round marks in third position

Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) :

« Groupama-2 was at home on all fronts – fast and good. That makes things difficult for the rest of us ! She dominated the event, just as we knew she would and they sailed well. She is a fast boat because after having been elbowed out at the start of the first round today, she was back in the lead in no time at all – after having taken a 360° penalty turn too ! Excellent result for Gitana 11 : in spite of one or two crew changes we did a good job and the result is highly satisfactory. »

Crew – Gitana 11

Frédéric Le Peutrec (skipper), Baron Benjamin de Rothschild (performer-navigator), Daniel Souben (tactician), Jean-Baptiste Levaillant (trimmer), Jean-Baptiste Epron (mainsail trimmer), Jean Le Huérou-Kérisel (trimmer), Alex Quiblier (wincher), Loïc Le Mignon (wincher), Antoine Mermod (piano), François Denis (foredeck / n°2), Christophe Lassègue (bowman / n°1)

Crew – Gitana X

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

Ranking – Grand prix de Corse (after seven rounds) :

1-Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) 7 points
2-Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) 18 points
3-Pascal Bidégorry (Banque Populaire) 22 points
4-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) 27 points
5-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X) 40 points
6-Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Progetto Italia) 41 points
7-Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia) 48 points

Provisional rankings – ORMA Championship (after IB Group Challenge and the Grand Prix de Corse) :

1-Pascal Bidégorry (Banque Populaire) 3 points (0+3)
2-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) 10 points (6+4)
3-Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) 11 points (9+2)
4-Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia) 19 points (12+7)
5-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X) 20 points (15+5)
6-Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) 21 points (21+0)
7-Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Progetto Italia) 57 points (51+6)
8ex-Thomas Coville (Sodebo) 69 points (51+18)
8ex-Yvan Bourgnon (Brossard) 69 points (51+18)

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