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.

30.08.2012

Action from the off in Cardiff.

par Gitana

For the first day of Extreme Sailing Series racing in Wales the wind was howling. Oscillating between 10 and 20 knots throughout the day, the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group also had to contend with some strong gusts, which were sweeping the race zone. A boisterous introduction then, which meant that Pierre Pennec’s new crew got straight into the thick things. With merry-go-rounds and attractions being assembled for the Cardiff Harbour Festival, which the Extreme Sailing Series will run in conjunction with, Edmond de Rothschild Group were on a veritable roller-coaster ride today.

At the skippers’ briefing, the tone was set: it was going to be a lively day. With an average of 20 knots of breeze, gusting to 25 knots, the Race Committee called for one reef in the mainsail and helmets were compulsory. The fleet of Extreme 40s were keen to get going. At the first race start, the committee announced a general recall. Throughout the day, there were a series of OCS calls and Edmond de Rothschild Group had to come back and cross the start line again on two occasions (Race 1 and 6). Skipper Pierre Pennec explains the situation on his return to shore: “I tried to be incisive and aggressive at the starts and I was twice penalised. I think the problem related more to what I was doing and my references in relation to the line. I tried to correct it and in the last race we got off to a great start.”

Aboard the boat, the new crew didn’t spare any effort, clawing their way back up through the fleet after the OCS start. “I’m very happy with the crew’s mindset. Everyone is giving their all and remaining focused during the races and between them too. We made mistakes today, particularly during the initial races, but we’ve erased them now,” admitted Pierre Pennec. As such the men of Gitana Team have found their bearings, especially with the support of Arnaud Psarofaghis, the mainsail trimmer who also raced in Porto and is just back from San Francisco, where he was competing in the America’s Cup World Series. “I’m trying to bring my experience to bear from the cup. The conditions today were reminiscent of those we encountered in San Francisco. However, it’s not the same boat and the courses are a lot shorter. We were a bit behind with certain manoeuvres at times. We pulled off some good moves and others, which weren’t quite so good. Our focus will be on taking the good things forward to tomorrow.”

After eight races, including two fine second places, Edmond de Rothschild Group has racked up thirty-six points and is nineteen points shy of the leader Red Bull this evening (fifty-five points). “Of course, being a competitor, I’m not very happy with the result, but it’s only the first day and we’ve got everything to play for. We’re aware that on this circuit, things can change very quickly and what’s important today is how things go aboard the boat. Other than that, in terms of aggressiveness in relation to our rivals, I tried to give us some leeway by also trying to avoid faults committed by the others or their technical errors. At least we can say tonight that we brought the boat back intact, which is good for the next stage…” concluded the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild Group. Not quite so lucky though was Team Wales, which dismasted in the final race of the day.

Racing will kick off again tomorrow at 1400 hours local time in what are forecast to be lighter conditions than today. The Cardiff race zone is likely to be coloured by a 7-knot westerly wind, though gusts will still have an influence.

Today’s results for Edmond de Rothschild Group

Race 1 – 7^th

Race 2 – 4^th

Race 3 – 9^th

Race 4 – 8^th

Race 5 – 2^nd

Race 6 – 6^th

Race 7 – 6^th

Race 8 – 2^nd

Standing for the Cardiff Grand Prix after the first day (eight races run)

Red Bull Sailing Team – 55 points
Oman Air – 50 points
GAC Pindar – 50 points
SAP Extreme Sailing Team – 44 points
The Wave Muscat – 43 points
Alinghi – 39 points
7. Edmond de Rothschild Group – 36 points
Zoulou – 22 points
Team Wales – 20 points

The crew of the Extreme Edmond de Rothschild Group

Pierre Pennec (Skipper / Helmsman),

Arnaud Psarofaghis (trimmer and traveller),

Romain Motteau (headsail trimmer),

Christophe André (Bowman),

Romain Petit (trimmer),

Alexandre Guyader (coach)

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