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.

30.10.2002

Gitana X in Saint-Malo !.

After having left La Trinité-sur-Mer (on the Atlantic coast) on Monday 28th October at 19h00 French time, Gitana X arrived in Saint-Malo on 29th October after a 16 hour passage covering some 230 miles (463 km). The delivery was sailed in ideal conditions. Once through the lock of the former privateer town, the trimaran berthed under the ramparts of…

par Gitana

Together with his crew of 6 and the Gitana Team shore crew who drove to Saint Malo, Lionel Lemonchois moored Gitana X alongside the pontoons which have been installed specially for the occasion. In a relaxed mood, the skipper remarked on the rather cool temperature : “It was not that warm last night. We had a fair bit of wind, sometimes as much as 35 knots. But the last 3 hours in particular we were head to wind, although we did have some sun. Everything is fine. The boat is in tiptop condition. There are just one or two small details to sort out. I’ll be going back home for the next 5 days, to finish my physical preparation at the Thalasso in Carnac and to spend a little time with my family“.

Check list

Whilst Lionel has left the boat for a while, the Gitana Team has been set to work and is busy working on the trimaran. Under the aegis of Yann Marilley, Team Manager, Olivier Staub and Hughes de Turckeim have dismounted the rudders (helming system) on the floats – something they had planned on doing for a long time – for a last check-up. François Denis and Patrick Jullien have started to give the boat a thorough rinsing and have installed the protective covers and canvasses. Olivier Wroczynski and Richard Bastide are concentratingtheir attention on the boat’s electronics and computers, then on the statement of information recorded by the load cells. You will recall that these sensors were fitted this summer by Multiplast, in order to be informed about the loads the boat’s structure is having to bear.As for Jean-Yves le Govic, he was further away on the north coast in Le Havre, taking care of the loading of the support boat onto a cargo vessel ready to assist Gitana X in Pointe-à-Pitre.

Osmosis

One of the challenges raised – and met – by the Gitana Team was that Gitana X would arrive in Saint-Malo ship-shape and Bristol fashion, as sailors like to say. A clean well prepared boat and a crew on the right wavelength. So the Gitana Team is serene in the remaining 12 days run up to the start, attentive to the final details which will enable Lionel Lemonchois to be even more serene.

Delivery crew

Lionel Lemonchois (Skipper)
Patrick Jullien (Shore crew)
Olivier Wroczynski (Boat Master)
François Denis (Rigging)
Hughes de Turcheim (Appendages)
Richard Bastide (Electronics and Computers)
Olivier Mainguy (Rigging supplier)

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