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.

04.04.2003

Gitana and the Challenge Mondial Assistance.

First big crewed race. Next May, the trimaran Gitana will be taking part in the Challenge Mondial Assistance, her first crewed ocean race. A round Europe race which will be put to good use in checking the solutions opted for on the multihull.

par Gitana

Owner Benjamin de Rothschild : “We’re going to try and do everything which we couldn’t get done last year. Since she was first launched, Gitana has only covered 3000 miles (5500 km) and practically nothing at all racing. We’ve got everything to go for. Our options have to be validated.“

Gitana’s skipper, Lionel Lemonchois, agrees wholeheartedly with this statement: “It’s almost as if we were starting out with a clean sheet of paper in terms of our knowledge of the boat. We have to get to know here. But as we’re sailing her crewed, we’ll be able to push her to the maximum, and also measure the distance which lies ahead in order to win.”

Looking at it from that point of view, the course of the Challenge Mondial Assistance is going to be particularly interesting as it means having to sail in very different types of weather conditions.

A tactical course

Strategy will no doubt be a deciding factor in this race. Marc Guessard, Gitana’s navigator : “Unlike our competitors, we don’t yet have a reference point for the boat.. It’s something of a handicap when it comes to marking and race tactics. But there are so many markers in this race – Cape Finisterre, Gibraltar, Albora Sea or South Balearics, South Sardinia or Cape Bon, the strait of Malta or Messina, coastal phenomena in the Adriatic – that the weather options will also be of the utmost importance. All the more so as in the Mediterranean, it is impossible to be accurate to within more than 48 hours. You have to seize the opportunities as and when they arise.”

Weather assistance (routing) is prohibited on this race, preparation is so extremely important in the final outcome. Sylvain Mondon (Météo France), Gitana Team weather assistant: “Our main job involves both us and the crew, studying the climate of the 4 key points of the course (Channel, Atlantic, West Mediterranean and the Adriatic), listing local phenomena, knowing how to recognise them and adapt to them“. Following in the wake of Phoenicians and Marco Polo, this should make for some eventful sailing.

Challenge Mondial Assistance

Cherbourg (F) Channel / Rimini (It) / Adriatic. 2734 miles (5063 km)
2nd edition
Start 11th May 2003
Finish between 19th and 23rd May 2003
Races in Rimini on 23rd & 24th May

Crew of the Gitana trimaran for the Challenge Mondial Assistance

Lionel Lemonchois – Skipper
Benjamin de Rothschild
Yann Marilley
Olivier Wroczynski
Marc Guessard
François Denis

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