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.

03.01.2021

2021 set to get off to a most auspicious start?.

par Gitana

With a plan to set sail on the Jules Verne Trophy being studied for the the coming week, Gitana Team is switching to code orange this Sunday. This chromatic change heralds a potential departure within the next 48 to 72 hours. Today, conditions in the North Atlantic appear to be coming together, but it remains to be seen whether its counterpart weather system in the southern hemisphere will also decide to play ball. The coming days will be crucial in this decision. In the meantime, the six sailors on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild are ready to go and make no secret of their eagerness to finally get going on their mission to reduce the reference time set in 2017 by Francis Joyon and his men.

Code orange, step one of countdown

“We’re targeting a departure from the middle of next week! Right now, things look promising. We now need to allow some time to pass to find out whether the situation will evolve as we’d like or if it will deteriorate, as it did during the run-up to the New Year’s Eve celebrations”, explained Cyril Dardashti, director of the team, who has learnt to use the conditional tense until the start line is crossed.
In fact, today’s outlook is positive and the bulk of the departure criteria drawn up by the skippers of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild are coming together. The weather cell, led by their router Marcel van Triest, is all set to refine and confirm the departure strategy each time the grib files are updated.

Having experienced several returns to standby over recent weeks, the members of Gitana Team are perfectly accustomed to the weather dictating proceedings. However, if this window does come good and 2021 kicks off in fine fashion, the five-arrow team will be in position to start the stopwatch and take up the gauntlet.

Jules Verne Trophy memo:

Crew of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild:

Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, skippers
David Boileau, trimmer bowman
Erwan Israël, helm trimmer
Morgan Lagravière, helm trimmer
Yann Riou, trimmer media man

Marcel van Triest, weather router
Yann Eliès, replacement crew

Record to beat:

40 days, 23 hours and 30 minutes > Record held by Francis Joyon and his crew (Idec Sport) since 26 January 2017.

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