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.

01.09.2012

After the rollercoaster ride, a game of Russian roulette.

par Gitana

Edmond de Rothschild Group ended the day as it began, with a race victory. Throughout today’s races, Pierre Pennec and his men focused their energies on getting some good starts. However, this is easier said than done when the race zone is being swept by some violent gusts. The game plan in Cardiff today consisted of playing with the light breezes. Impossible to predict their strength and position, they are hard to catch and the sailors of Gitana Team felt that they were wrapped up in a game of Russian roulette at times.

Pierre Pennec and his men ended yesterday with a fine first place and they looked to be mirroring that performance in the first race today when they secured the maximum nine points. However, in the second race, the start lottery was already in full swing, as trimmer on the Extreme 40 Edmond de Rothschild Group, Romain Petit, explains: “We got off to a good start with a fine win in the first race. Then in the following races, on the same course albeit a bit long, the start was really crucial as it was hard to overtake after that. We were compulsory tacks, which means that if we weren’t up in the leading group at the first mark, for those behind it was really difficult to get back into the thick of the action and to pull off some tactical moves to get past our rivals.”

The committee altered the course by shortening it and bringing it closer to the back of the bay, right in front of the Welsh spectators, who were out in force this Saturday to see the spectacle presented by the Extreme Sailing Series. “After the change of course, we were still struggling with the starts but as soon as we set off in front or in the middle of the pack, we know that we don’t have any worries in terms of the manoeuvres and the way we operate aboard. Everything flows well, better even than some crews and that’s a real positive. There’s always a good atmosphere aboard and it’s rare for things to get heated. We know what we need to correct and that’s the short start phases,” admits Romain Petit.

However, the positioning of the course at the back of the bay also transformed the racing into a game of Russian roulette: “Either you hit a puff of breeze and you’re on your way, or you don’t hit it and you finish last,” sums up Pierre Pennec. Once the course is shortened and brought closer to the middle of the bay, the fleet is more condensed and each competitor has to battle to keep their place: “The shorter tacks call for faster linking between manœuvres, but everything worked perfectly aboard. Once again, when we get off to a good start, we fully defend our place and hold rank,” concluded the skipper of skipper of Edmond de Rothschild Group.

This evening, the boat fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild is thirteen points shy of the podium. Following a controversial start in the sixth race of the day, the crew has lodged a protest. It will be judged tomorrow morning. If Pierre Pennec and his men get redress, the points allotted to Edmond de Rothschild Group may change.

Tomorrow will be the last day of racing in Cardiff. Racing will commence at 1400 hours local time. The men of Gitana Team are determined to give it their best shot to reach their goal of a podium finish, as bowman Christophe André reveals: “We’re going to working flat out for the podium tomorrow.”

Today’s results for Edmond de Rothschild Group

1^st/ 9^th / 8^th / 2^nd/ 7^th / 9^th / 5^th / 1^st

Standing for the Cardiff Grand Prix after the third day (twenty-four races run)

The Wave Muscat– 145 points
Oman Air – 140 points
GAC Pindar – 134 points
Red Bull Sailing Team – 133 points
Alinghi – 122 points
6. Edmond de Rothschild Group – 121 points
SAP Extreme Sailing Team – 121 points
Team Wales – 82 points
Zoulou – 81 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)

Retourner aux articles

Heritage