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.

20.12.2002

Winter Quarters !.

Since the middle of November, the trimaran Gitana has been hauled out into its technical base, the Multipôle 56 in La Trinité-sur-Mer (Atlantic coast of France). Her withdrawal in the Route du Rhum is now history, but a lot was learnt. The Gitana Team is working on getting ready for the World Championship 2003 season.

par Gitana

You will recall that Gitana had not sailed much at all before the start of the Route du Rhum. She had clocked up just 3000 miles (5600 km) which meant that many of the architectural and technical options were uncertain. And if one of them – the narrow chord monolithic mast – was the reason for her brutal stop in this transatlantic race, it is one of the solutions which has been identified by yachtsmen who race 60 foot trimarans as a relevant option for the future.

It is of course one of the focal points of Gitana Team’s work, as the mast has to be replaced. The final decision of the configuration of the new spar will be made in the very beginning of January 2003, after the General Meeting of the Orma (to which Gitana belongs). After the Route du Rhum which brought 2002 to a close, there was much discussion between skippers, organisers, architects, engineers, builders and of course owners, with a view to developing the rules which govern their sport. These meetings were necessary for a fleet which has never been so large and given the increasingly high level of the line-up.

Christmas truce

A short-lived truce for Gitana Team, as the trimaran has to undergo several developments. Some of the changes to be made, like the mast, can only be put into effect once the class’s General Meeting has been held. Never the less, Gitana Team has started a big programme concentrated on her appendages (daggerboard, rudders, foils) under the aegis of a new member to the Team, Hugues de Turckheim, engineer. As for the sails, Nicolas Berthoud alias “Canard” is working on improving the wardrobe and in making new sails. Finally, as with any prototype, Gitana needs constant improvement. This is an integral part of the boat’s regular maintenance. She should be re-launched no later than the end of March 2003, in order to be ready for the new season.

Italy and Brazil

Although the Championship will kick off with an Atlantic Grand Prix, it will continue in May with the Challenge Mondial Assistance, a crewed race round Europe, covering some 2750 miles (5100 km) between Cherbourg (F) and Rimini (on Italy’s Adriatic coast). Then two other Grands Prix will be run in the Mediterranean (Sardinia and Marseille) in June/July before heading up to the Channel for the Fécamp Grand Prix (F) in September, and the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre in Le Havre in the month of November. A two-handed transatlantic race, the Jacques Vabre takes competitors over to Salvador de Bahia in Brazil after a 5300 mile (9800 km) long course via Ascension Island (South Atlantic).

The Gitana Team is no doubt eager to get back onto the water and measure herself against her competitors, to gauge her performance “crewed” where the potential of the boats is really put to the test.

Diary date

Whilst awaiting the outcome of the decisions relating to the ORMA 60 foot class in the beginning of 2003, the activity of the Gitana Team and around the trimaran will be a reduced. Gitana Team’s website will also be moving into its virtual winter quarters and asks you to visit it again in the beginning of January. In the meantime, the Gitana Team wishes a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to all web users out there who make the Gitana Team website a privileged port of call.

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