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.

27.01.2003

Gitana version 2003.

So that Gitana will be ready in time for the start of the 2003 season, the Gitana Team needs every one of the weeks remaining between now and the end of March, when the trimaran is due to be put back in the water. The "crewed" season ahead looks like it is going to be a busy one indeed.

par Gitana

The most important activity is of course building the new mast. As previously announced, the Gitana Team had waited for the general meeting of the ORMA 60-foot multihull class held on 3rd January earlier this year, to see how the rules might develop, following the events in the Route du Rhum. From now on, masts (and the boats structures and appendages), can no longer be made of very high density carbon fibre (M55J). Their high cost, uncertainty of supply and the difficulty in knowing quite how best to work these ultra stiff fibres on these boats, has lead class members to turn to a more tolerant and less costly fibre, the M46 J. The decision shall apply to the whole of the fleet as from 1st January 2004. As Gitana has to build a new mast this year (having broken her mast in the Route du Rhum), it is being made in this fibre by Lorima. Delivery is scheduled for the end of March 2003. The spar remains monolithic and of narrow chord at 60 cm wide. It will never the less be a little bit heavier than the previous one, but all are hoping that it will be more reliable.

Developments

Another big job on hand for Gitana concerning the class rules, the making of a new daggerboard and casing. Multiplast, the yard where the trimaran was built, will be carrying out the work at Gitana’s technical base, the Multipole 56 in La Trinité-sur-Mer (on France’s Atlantic coast). At the same time, a new rudder fort eh central hull will be made, and its profile changed. Hugues de Turckeim, who recently joined the Gitana Team, is in charge of this work on the appendages. He is also to take care of developing the mulithull’s foils (skates).

As for the sails, a new main sail is in the process of being made, designed with the Grand Prix in mind, in other words for short regattas just off the coast. A new, more powerful genoa jib (Solent) will also be made by Europ Sail under the aegis of its representative Nicolas Berthoud, alias “Canard” (Dick), a member of the Gitana Team.

Rendez-vous

Gitana’s 2003 programme is now set. It centres upon 4 Grand Prix and two ocean races, including the Transat Jacques Vabre between Le Havre (Manche) and Salvador de Bahia (Brasil). Lionel Lemonchois, Gitana’s skipper : “For this two-handed race, I have put a name forward and am waiting for his reply. It will soon be official and we will make an announcement as soon as possible. For the moment, a Team six-strong is working on the boat and the transformations. From the end of January, we will be starting out on 7 weeks of work with the Multiplast team to make the changes to the daggerboard“.

2003 World 60-foot Multihull Championship* Programme

25/27 April	Lorient ORMA Grand Prix (F) / Crewed
11 May	Challenge Mondial Assistance, Cherbourg (F) / Rimini (Italy) / Crewed
13/15 June	Cagliari ORMA Grand Prix (It) / Crewed
4/6 July	Marseilles ORMA Grand Prix (F) / Crewed
September	Fécamp ORMA Grand Prix (F) / Crewed
1/2 November	Transat Jacques Vabre start, Le Havre (F) / Salvador de Bahia (Bra) / Two handed

* Counting towards the Fico Lacoste Skippers and Sponsors World Championship

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