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.

02.08.2010

A job well done.

Edmond de Rothschild Group ended the day on a much brighter note than it began. Bringing up the rear of the fleet in this morning’s race, Yann Guichard and his men won two of the seven races contested and, most importantly, have made up some ground on their most serious rivals at the midway mark in the event. Third in the provisional general rankin…

par Gitana

The rather extreme Sunday for all the sailors yesterday gave way to some less aggressive nautical jousting in terms of weather conditions this Monday, though they were just as thrilling. The wind was still very much in evidence in the Solent, with 8 to 14 knots of SW’ly, to which three to four knots of current could be added in places. Fortunately such climes clearly suited the Gitana Team.

If the sign of a true champion is knowing how to react in tricky situations then Yann Guichard and his three crew are well on their way to success. Slightly ruffled yesterday after their incident with Groupama 40 in race 11 and again in this morning’s coastal course, where they brought up the rear, the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group rose above the situation and managed to turn the game around in style: “Since the start of this Grand Prix I can’t hide the fact that it’s the start procedures that have been causing us grief and it just hasn’t come easy up till now. Our result in the coastal course really cut me to the quick so I had to rapidly get that out of my system” admitted Yann Guichard. “This afternoon we got off to some better starts because I was more incisive and more of an opportunist. Once that phase goes well everything seems to fall into place for the next stage. However, we did have a few rather average passages across the start line but we were then able to make up some ground by threading our way along in all the little veins of breeze. The crew is young but we’re making progress with every race, so I’m confident about the future races”, enthused the skipper this evening, satisfied with the exploit his crew had pulled off today.

Despite everything and given the slender points deficit this evening between the top four boats, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild Group was keen to be prudent and measured: “We mustn’t get carried away! We’ve had a good day, the dynamics are good, but we’re only halfway through this Grand Prix and there are still a lot of races to be run yet.”

Tomorrow, there’s a relaxed morning scheduled for the Extreme Sailing Series! The sailors will be able to make the most of a well-earned rest after three days of intense racing and the four men of Gitana Team certainly won’t be complaining: “This morning-off comes at exactly the right moment… There’s a steady pace to this competition and conditions are physically testing for the men so it will enable everyone to recharge their batteries.”

The first races of the day are scheduled to take place off Egypt Point at around 1700 hours tomorrow afternoon.

Provisional ranking of the Grand Prix of Cowes on 2nd August (after 19 races)
1. The Wave, Muscat (Paul Campbell-James) – 127 points
2. Oman Sail Masirah (Loïck Peyron) – 113 points
3. Edmond de Rothschild Group (Yann Guichard) – 112 points
4. Ecover Sailing Team (Mike Golding) – 112 points
5. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (Roman Hagara) – 106 points
6. Groupama 40 (Franck Cammas) – 97 points
7. Team GAC Pindar (Nick Moloney) – 82 points
8. The Ocean Racing Club (Mitch Booth) – 79 points
9. Veolia Environnement (Roland Jourdain) – 23 points

The crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group
Yann Guichard – Skipper, helm / Pierre Pennec – Mainsail trimmer / Thierry Fouchier – Headsail trimmer / Nicolas Heintz – Bowman

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