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.

01.12.2016

A new transition.

To the North of the Kerguelen Islands, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the eagle and the lion emblematic of the hull of Gitana 16 are powering eastwards. The Thomson - Le Cléac’h duo is still leading the way some 664 miles ahead. Already though, the two leaders are beginning to stall under the influence of a buffer zone that precedes a gale anno…

par Gitana

To the North of the Kerguelen Islands, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the eagle and the lion emblematic of the hull of Gitana 16 are powering eastwards. The Thomson – Le Cléac’h duo is still leading the way some 664 miles ahead. Already though, the two leaders are beginning to stall under the influence of a buffer zone that precedes a gale announced for the end of the week. Since his rudder issues a week ago, Sébastien Josse, still third, is negotiating less favourable conditions at the back of the lead wagon. Familiar with the adage of try and try again, the sailor from Nice is putting in a constant effort. However, it’s the weather dictating proceedings and the skipper of the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild has just had to hang on in there. Today, he’s finally touched more pressure than his two playmates up front so he’s hoping to make up some ground on the head of the Vendée Globe fleet.

After dropping down as far as 46 degrees South, Sébastien has opted to head further North to get clear of the ice exclusion zone, as well as lining himself up better for the low pressure system that is set to press down on the fleet from behind.

Drop in pace

Yesterday, the French Navy, flew over Banque Populaire VIII and Hugo Boss as they were making headway just off Kerguelen. The two skippers were making good speed, their boats tearing along as they cleaved through the sea. At the 14:00 GMT ranking this Thursday, the atmosphere had changed a little, particularly for the new leader Alex Thomson, who has been posting a speed of 15.8 knots for the past four hours, whilst Sébastien Josse was making headway nearly a knot and a half quicker at 17.1 knots. Such numbers suggest that the frontrunners are beginning to get caught in the clutches of the ridge of high pressure. If the weather forecast pans out the same on the water, the skipper of Gitana Team should still be able to make up a few precious miles on his adversaries.

Gale warning

After a very calm week, the tail end of the fleet has taken off, accelerating towards the roaring forties. Not everyone’s in the Indian Ocean yet, but the weather has no limits and the low pressure system already breathing down the necks of the backrunners, is likely to give them a seriously rough ride before rumbling onwards to bully the whole fleet. The isobaric compression is impressive right now in the South Atlantic, where winds might reach 50 knots. However, the low pressure system should have vented at least some of its spleen by the time it hits Edmond de Rothschild between 4 and 5 December.

Ranking on 1 December at 14:00 GMT

1. Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) 14,793.6 miles from the finish
2. Armel Le Cleac’h (Banque Populaire VIII) 0.7 miles behind the leader 
3. Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) 664.6 miles behind the leader

4. Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ) 1,073.4 miles behind the leader
5. Paul Meilhat (SMA) 1,087.8 miles behind the leader  
6. Yann Eliès (Queguiner Leucémie Espoir) 1,455.6 miles behind the leader
7. Jean-Pierre Dick (St Michel – Virbac) 2,027.7 miles behind the leader

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