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.

12.06.2003

A truly Mediterranean Grand Prix !.

A gloriously sunny day and a cooperative thermal wind, the second Grand Prix of the 60 foot Multihull World Championship in Cagliari will be closely fought. Nine trimarans including Gitana have rallied the south-east of Sardinia to compete in ideal conditions.

par Gitana

Wonderful weather in store. For all there is not much wind until around midday, once it does kick in, the boats have everything they need to sail well and get down to the business of racing. Gitana has been in location since Saturday 7th June, and conditions have been similar since they arrived, enabling them to have one or two session on the water. Outings to improve crew cohesion and to fine tune sail trim. The training period has been pretty short though as the boat’s new dagger board could not be prepared in time. When all is said and done, Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) has lent a dagger board which was just fitted on Wednesday. After having had a number of hours spent on it, it does slide into the casing but it cannot be pivoted.

Determined

Damage suffered by the boat, upsets and lengthy technical validations do not do a lot of good for troupe moral. The time spent out on the water is shortened each time and finding the boat’s speed is tough going. “Lionel Lemonchois : “I’ve never spent so little time sailing…”, confirmed the trimaran’s skipper. But the team is very determined. Yann Marilley, Team Manager : “It’s true that we haven’t found our feet yet, and there’s still a lot of work to be done. But we’re not going to give up now…“.

A very pertinent comment as on Thursday 12th June, during the first training session, after having got off to a good start, manœuvred well and improved sail trim (with the specific Grand Prix main sail), Gitana finished 5th, pipped at the post by Sodebo (Thomas Coville) on the last run downwind.

Weather reports for the three days ahead forecast southerly thermal winds of no more than 15/18 knots. Gitana should come off all right. In any event, the whole Team is motivated, both to continue its apprenticeship of the platform and in their will to produce some good results.

Crew for the Cagliari Grand Prix

Lionel Lemonchois / F :	Skipper
Benjamin de Rothschild :	Performer
Nicolas Berthoud / CH :	Mainsail
François Denis / F :	N°1 / Bowman
Philippe Durr / CH :	Tactician
Thierry Barot / F :	Pit
Jean-Baptiste Epron / F :	Mainsail trimmer
Marc Guessard / F :	Navigator
Jean-Paul Levrel / F :	Grinder
Yann Marilley / F :	Runner
Olivier Wroczynski / F :	Runner

More information about Cagliari Grand Prix

www.multis-online.com

Veiled reference

Two Gitana will be seen out on the water in Cagliari. Gitana VI has set up her summer camp in the Mediterranean and before participating in La Giraglia from 17th to 2

4nd June (Saint-Tropez/F-Genova/Ital), the 19 metre long monohull on which Benjamin de Rothschild cut his teeth, has come to sail not far from the course.

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