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.

20.11.2019

Approaching Cape Town.

At the 11:00 UTC position report this Wednesday 20 November, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild was positioned less than 200 miles from Robben Island, the second official course mark in the Brest Atlantiques, located 7km offshore of Cape Town. Slowed up this morning by their passage through a ridge of high pressure, Charles Caudrelier and Franck Cammas…

par Gitana

=> Video of the day

Bye-bye to the forties!

For the past two days, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier have been linking together the gybes to make the most of the corridor of breeze to the South of the Saint Helena High and along the edge of the ice exclusion zone imposed by the organisers for safety reasons. Talking to the camera, the skippers of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild discuss the weather puzzle of recent days. However, this Wednesday morning, their circumnavigation of the zone of high pressure is complete and Gitana 17 can finally set a course to the North-East and the next course mark of Cape Town, in South Africa.

Watch the video

Message from Yann Riou

Bound for Cape Town, heading North!

“Since the start of the night, we’ve stopped weaving our way along the ice zone and we’ve set a course for Cape Town, which means northwards. It’s also the first time that we’ve been closing on Brest, with the exception of a few marginal tacks just to be entirely accurate. We’re leaving the forties, which weren’t especially ‘roaring’ this time. To be honest, the setting was quite similar to what you get offshore of Lorient during the same period… with the exception of a few albatross! Talking of which… before we got to Gough Island, Franck said to me:
“We’ll soon start seeing albatross”.
Two hours later, at dusk, I spotted one! Now there’s a guy who’s familiar with this neck of the woods… I rush to get my camera. Too late, too late, too dark.
Since then, I’ve been keeping watch. I’m lying in wait for the animal, camera in hand, ready to snap him. I have spotted one or two. But too late, too late, too dark.
This morning, we’re officially out of the forties. Busy removing fleece layers, I glance out on deck. This time, he’s not too far away. However, my camera was charging down below, inside the central hull, where it’s too dark. By the time I’d tracked it down, naturally it was too late. I ended up removing my second fleece layer. We’re entering the ridge of high pressure. This evening we’re rounding Robben Island, passing in front of Cape Town and then heading homewards!”