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.

29.09.2004

ORMA 2004 Championship – on the home straight.

The final curtain hardly had the time to come down on the stage of the Grand Prix de Corse and Gitana 11's victory, before the whole fleet set sail on the 150-mile passage over to Marseille's Vieux Port.

par Gitana

The final curtain hardly had the time to come down on the stage of the Grand Prix de Corse and Gitana 11’s victory, before the whole fleet set sail on the 150-mile passage over to Marseille’s Vieux Port.

The last event of the Orma 2004 circuit will be playing a decisive role in the final outcome for the rankings in the 60-foot Open championship. As things stand, after 5 events – the Grand Prix de La Trinité, The Transat, Québec-Saint Malo, and the Grand Prix de Fécamp and Calvi – Géant, Groupama II and Sergio Tacchini are all in with a chance. The Grand Prix de Marseille is therefore going to be extremely important. Outsiders, including Gitana 11, may upset the apple cart. Above all else, Gitana 11 is aiming to win the last event and confirm the Gitana Team’s excellent progress throughout the 2004 season, setting aside momentarily the battle for a top three place in the Championship, as her withdrawal for gear failure in the Québec-Saint Malo race put paid to any chance of finishing in the top three. After her third place in Fécamp and her win in Calvi, Gitana 11 is looking like one of the favourites of this Grand Prix, as are Sergio Tacchini and Groupama II, emphasising the quality of the work put in by Gitana Team’s sailing and shore teams, thanks to the support of Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, who is very close to his Team. Italian yachtsman Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Projetto Italia) will not be taking part as the damage sustained in his collision in Calvi with Sodebo means the boat has to go back into the shed for substantial repairs to the starboard float. Nine trimarans will therefore be lining up on the start of the first round on Friday.

In the meantime, on Wednesday and Thursday (today and tomorrow) all of the boats will be taking part in free training sessions, unfortunately in light air. As for the weather, it looks as though the wind will be conspicuous by its absence until the end of the week. Current forecast is for thermal breezes of 10-15 knots, with almost no Mistral to speak of. Enough though to allow for some excellent racing and requiring higher levels of concentration on the part of the crew when it comes to manoeuvres, but nothing compared to the fantastic geysers of seaspray we saw last year in the Grand Prix de Marseille 2003.

But as everybody knows, the Mediterranean is highly unpredictable. A lot can change between then and now in the three-day Grand Prix event over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Retourner aux articles

Heritage