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.

12.05.2004

A shore crew on the warpath.

Yann Marilley and Jean Le Houérou Kérisel, respectively Team Manager and Technical Manager of the Gitana Team² have set up a veritable battle plan to guarantee flawless technical assistance to the two multihulls belonging to the Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, entered in the two major races, The Transat (sailed solo) and the Québec – Saint Malo (crew…

par Gitana

Two races which will takes place one after the other over a period of 45 days without calling back to base in La Trinité sur Mer. A veritable challenge for the Gitana Team² shore crew and a first from a logistical point of view for the first 60-foot Open Multihull stable to run two boats side by side in the same field.

Stage 1 : Solo configuration for both trimarans and final check-ups.

Yann Marriley – “In terms of preparation, lots of things were validated before the Grand Prix in La Trinité sur Mer, France (30th April, 1st and 2nd May), and particularly during Marc and Fred’s qualifying passages. After the Grand Prix, we put both boats into Transat configuration. This basically involved the six members of the shore team in disassembling the winch columns which are of no use solo, fitting the automatic pilots, mounting the Plexiglas bubbles to protect the helm stations, checking the hydraulics and computers and fitting the transatlantic sails on board. We’ve also unstepped the mast on Gitana 11, to change the hook plate which had been repaired provisionally just before the Grand Prix and have checked out the mast. Marc preferred not to have the boat out of action and to keep sailing her to fine tune his familiarity with Gitana X”.

Stage 2 : Container full of technical gear leaves for Québec.

YM – “As the trimarans are not returning to base between the two races, the base has to come to them, so to speak. A container full to bursting is being sent to Québec with everything we need. 63 m3 of gear, so that we can reconfigure Gitana X and Gitana 11 for the crewed return and carry out any intervention which might be necessary. This might mean changing hardware, sails, sheets, halyards, electronic equipment etc…. For composite repairs, a complete workshop is in the container to cope with any eventuality. Nothing has been left to chance. If necessary, a truck can provide a shuttle service between Québec and Boston in the event of a technical emergency in the United States”.

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