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.

25.04.2003

Grand Prix Cap L’Orient. Training !.

Although Gitana has been in Lorient (French Atlantic coast) since last week, training on location every day, Thursday 24th April marked the trimaran's first crewed race. But they were just two short training rounds which did not count in the overall scores.

par Gitana

Although Gitana has been in Lorient (French Atlantic coast) since last week, training on location every day, Thursday 24th April marked the trimaran’s first crewed race. But they were just two short training rounds which did not count in the overall scores.

Of the eleven boats entered in the Grand Prix – never before have there been so many – 9 lined up on the start for this warm-up round, an important moment and much-awaited by the Gitana Team. Light air (a 12-knot (22 km/h) south-westerly wind), glassy sea and a strong sun shining overhead. Lionel Lemonchois : “…Objective number 1 was to get the crew run in and to continue to familiarize ourselves with the boat. As far as manoeuvres go, things went rather well. We didn’t make any mistakes. And when it comes to driving the boat, she is very sensitive and demanding to helm. We have quite found the right compromise between heading and speed. And the mainsail traveller is a little bit stubborn…“.

In spite of the time spent improving the boat this winter, a lot still remains to be done. Nothing can replace getting out on the water and everything which is to be learnt from simply sailing her. Sébastien Schmidt, member of the Gitana Design Team : “We still haven’t found the best adjustments for speed. But we set out to have a different boat and she has an enormous potential for optimisation similar to Formula 1 cars. The fist one to get this job right is the one who will go fastest in the end. That’s what is so exciting about Gitana. We’re getting a lot of spade work done…“.

Still confident in the possibilities offered by his boat, Benjamin de Rothschild was very pleased to be on board. He even helmed on the second round : “…I’m pleased to be here with the boat in one piece, to be able to feel and see how everything works, the guys on board and from a technical point of view. And to realise quite how much work still remains to be done…“.

Wind

Back to business, the three days of competition from Friday to Sunday with a 20-knot (36 km/h) south-westerly blow is forecast. Lionel Lemonchois : “I’d have preferred to have a little less wind for our first race meetings, as we have to find our feet. But then again, it give us the chance to see the boat sail against her opponents in more wind…“. The crew is ready to face up to tougher conditions where we pull out all the stops.

At the debriefing at the end of the day, the most important thing to see was whether the boat had progressed compared to how she was beforehand basing the analysis on computer readouts. And she has made progress ! And it was also the opportunity to establish cohesion between the helmsman, tactician and navigator taking into account the parameter recorded out on the water.

For the first day’s racing, three or four legs are planned. They will be windward-leeward loops, in other words, a beat head to wind and a run downwind on each round. Each leg can comprise several rounds. The course is set between the Ile de Groix and the access channel to the port of Lorient.

Crew

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

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