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.

09.10.2003

Objective Transat Jacques Vabre….

22 days before the start, the programme and the line-up 2003 for the Transat Jacques Vabre were presented at a press conference in Paris where more than 300 people were present. Most of the 82 sailors who are going to be taking part in the 6th edition of this two-handed race had travelled to Paris to represent their crew, a mission which Lionel Lem…

par Gitana

A meticulous and intensive preparation

In order to prepare this “Jacques Vabre”, the final event in the Multihull season 2003, the Gitana Team is to be found on all fronts to attack the 5 190 mile (9608 km) long course from Le Havre (France) to Salvador de Bahia (Brazil) in the best possible conditions possible, form both a sporting and technical point of view.

Whereas Marc has just completed a two-week long race on the Atlantic, Lionel Lemonchois has continued his intensive physical preparation outdoors, in the gym and the pool, with the obvious additional pleasure of returning to the helm of the yellow and blue trimaran, re-launched on Wednesday 8th October in La Trinité-sur-Mer, after one month in the yard.

Awaiting the return of his alter ego before getting down to some two-handed training from 13th October onwards, Lionel and a small crew have been validating the latest modifications – removal of the “ears”, repositioning of the deck gear in the cockpit and a reworked interior navigations station, following a reduction in weight of the onboard computers. New sails will also be tested and undergo stringent fine-tuning.

Further to a second “weight loss programme” reducing the weight of the boat by some 130 kg all in all compared with her configuration in the Challenge Mondial Assistance, during training and validation sessions at sea, the Gitana Team acquires new data for maximum routing efficiency during the Transat Jacques Vabre.

A two-handed transatlantic race

The Jacques Vabre is raced two-handed. Each person on board has his role to play in sailing the boat, bringing his specific know-how to bear. Both Lionel and Marc were quick to find their feet on board Gitana.
Lionel : “I needed to have someone who would take care of “office business” onboard during this Transat. Marc has been doing so perfectly well since the project got underway. He is therefore the right man for the navigator job on board.”
Marc : “Roles are shared out, but decisions are made jointly. I’ll be concentrating on the weather information and computers. Lionel knows the boat better than I do, what she is capable of and where her limits lie. He will decide sail configuration and manoeuvres.”

An objective for the Gitana Team

To sail a fine race, states Lionel, and if we can pull off something smart on the weather front, then to finish well-placed. For this ocean race, I trust the boat and the changes we have made to her over the last few months.

La Transat Jacques Vabre – facts & figures

6th edition.
41 competitors in two separate fleets, divided into four categories : Multihulls (18 including fifteen Open 60-footers) and Monohulls (23 including seven Open 60-footers).
Multihull start : Sunday 2nd November 2003 out of Le Havre (France) – ETA : Salvador de Bahia (Brazil) : 16th November for the multihulls.
Winner of the last edition, Open 60-foot muiltihulls : Groupama.
Reference time : 14 days 9 hours – average speed of 15 knots.

Retourner aux articles

Heritage