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.

12.07.2004

Gitana 11 in the lead.

At 3 o'clock this morning (French time), 8 hours after the start, 9 of the 12 multihulls were spread out over a distance of seven miles. Two boats lag behind the fleet - Sodebo 22.3 miles behind Gitana 11, who had to do a u-turn back to Québec to change seven of the eight battens in the mainsail during a gybe after the start and the catamaran Média…

par Gitana

At 3 o’clock this morning (French time), 8 hours after the start, 9 of the 12 multihulls were spread out over a distance of seven miles. Two boats lag behind the fleet – Sodebo 22.3 miles behind Gitana 11, who had to do a u-turn back to Québec to change seven of the eight battens in the mainsail during a gybe after the start and the catamaran Médiatis, 24 miles from the leader this morning, not that at ease in these sorts of conditions.

Looking back over the conditions at the start

Brilliant sunshine and a 12-knot beam wind for the start of the twelve multihulls in the sixth edition of the Québec-Saint Malo. Thousands of spectators lined the banks of the Saint Lawrence river to watch the event. In the morning, the weather forecast was for weak conditions at the start, a light west-south westerly breeze which has started to pick up. At 12h50 (local time Québec, 18h50 French time), the starting shot was fired from the canon at the Yacht Club du Québec, located one mile to the west of the town. Sailing against the rising tide, the twelve strong trimaran fleet had a tough time aiming for the starting line. Médiatis-Région Aquitaine was first across the line, but the hydraplaning catamaran was not at ease in a beam wind and so it was not long before he was caught by Géant and Sergio Tacchini who moved into the lead, with a group of tris hot on their heels just one hundred or so metres behind, sailing at about 12 knots. A series of gybes was necessary to cross over from one side of the Saint Lawrence to the other, beam reaching with mainsail and gennaker. Tiring manoeuvres which should stay with the fleet until they reach the Atlantic, in around 48 hours.

Rankings this morning 8 hours after the start

This morning, the 9 leaders change with each gybe. A merry dance up front which should last for 48 hours or so, particularly as no-one is prepared to let the slightest inch go for fear that it might play into the hands of the opponents. On board, all the crews have been up on deck since the start as sailing down the Saint Lawrence is highly demanding and all hands are needed sailing with gennaker up. Only the navigator is down below at the chart table, his eyes glued to the screen of his computers watching out for the numerous pitfalls on this 371 mile long (687 km) stretch of the course which should last for another 48 hours. Tides, currents, obstacles, logs or whales, and complicated aerology given the height of the banks in certain places, the effects of the headlands, windless zones or sudden accelerations. Perils which each competitor has to avoid to stay in the match. The key to success for what follows is to make sure you are among first boats out of the Saint Lawrence river. Now is not the time to sit back and take things easy – not for the next 48 hours.

A steady 10-15 knot west-south westerly breeze has been blowing since the start, and the fleet has been clocking up average speeds of around 21 knots with instant speed readings reaching 18 –20 knots on some boats. The leading multis, lead by Gitana 11, should be sailing shoulder to shoulder for the rest of the day, each clearly determined not to lose one square inch of ground.

Ranking at 03h00 (French time) :

1 -Gitana 11 – 2 810.6 miles from the finish
2- Foncia 0.7 miles from the leader
3 -Groupama 1 mile
3 – Géant 1 mile
5 -TIM-Progetto Italia 1.3 mile
6 -Sergio Tacchini 2.4 miles
7 -Gitana X 4.8 miles
8-Banque Populaire 5.6 miles
9-Banque Covefi 5.7 miles
10 -Sopra Group 7 miles
11 –Sodebo 22.3 miles
12 -Mediatis-Région Aquitaine 24 miles

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