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.

05.07.2004

Québec–Saint Malo : D–6.

Skippers of both Gitana trimarans - Marc Guillemot (Gitana X) and Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) flew off to Québec this morning with a few of their crew.

par Gitana

Skippers of both Gitana trimarans – Marc Guillemot (Gitana X) and Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) flew off to Québec this morning with a few of their crew.

They’ll be joining the 11 members of the Gitana Team who have been there since the delivery voyage on 25th June for Gitana 11 (from Boston) and in the small hours of 29th June for Gitana X (from La Trinité sur Mer – France).

By the end of today, Monday 5th July, almost all of the Gitana Team² will be in situ to put the finishing touches to the boats before the 60-foot multihull fleet sets out on the “return” race to Europe, after crossing from east to west on The Transat at the beginning of June. In order to adhere to the strict work schedule set by Jean, the Team’s Technical Manager, Zolive, Thierry, Laurent, Léo, William, Jean Pierre, Bambino, Nicolas, Laurent and Erwan, have been concentrating on their specialist mission for the past ten days or so. Weather has been changeable – typical of the continental climate Québec province climate – with strong rains storms one day, followed by brilliant sunshine the next.

Gitana 11 broke her dagger board a few days before her Boston finish. This has now been finished and put back in her casing. The platforms and particularly the masts have been inspected in great detail, deck gear dismounted, rinsed and reassembled and the crew configuration put in place for the sails. Scratches on the leading edges of the foils have been smoothed down, the electronics checked over and the computers reset for the return race.

In the last few days before the start will be spent ironing out any last technical details, loading up provisions and crew’s personal belongings, attending the various briefing sessions and official ceremonies programmed by the race organisers, but also fitting in the odd bit of fun here and there. The people of Québec have given a warm welcome in keeping with the beauty of the site.

Gitana Sailing Team for the Québec – Saint Malo :

Gitana X			Gitana 11
Marc Guillemot			Frédéric Le Peutrec
Thierry Duprey			Baron Benjamin de Rothschild
Luc Poupon			Yann Guichard
Nicolas Raynaud			Yann Marilley
Erwan Le Roux			François Denis
Olivier Wroczynski			Fred Brousse

One of the Gitana X crew, winner of the Mini Cup and the Mini Fastnet 2004 :

Erwan Le Roux who crews with Marc Guillemot on Gitana X for the Grand Prix and the Québec – Saint Malo won the Mini Cup, a single-handed race from Dieppe to Douarnenez. Just a few days later he went on to race to victory in the Mini Fasnet on 19th June with François Lamiot. First across the line in Douarnenez, the pair won the 19th edition of this legendary race in what was an extremely top level line-up. The course starts out in Finistere and is raced round the Fastnet lighthouse. For 6 days, the 84 competitors never let up an instant in a closely fought battle, demonstrated by the 8-minute gap which Erwan and François put between them and the boat which came in second after a 650-mile long race. At the finishing line Erwan stated : It was a tough race which proved once again that you never know what is going to happen and that you have to keep hard at it right through to the end. »

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