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.

28.02.2003

Back in the water D-30.

With one month until the first sailing of 2003, everything in Gitana's wintering yard is on schedule, except for the mast which is likely to be delivered a few days late. The Multiplast yard and the Gitana Team are currently finishing off the biggest project, which is the modification of the centreboard casing.

par Gitana

With one month until the first sailing of 2003, everything in Gitana’s wintering yard is on schedule, except for the mast which is likely to be delivered a few days late. The Multiplast yard and the Gitana Team are currently finishing off the biggest project, which is the modification of the centreboard casing.

Yann Marilley, Team Manager : “We are spending a lot of time with the sander but everything is going well. We are in the process of enhancing the boat for this crewed season and there is a great deal of implication and work within each modification. For example, at the moment we are changing the position of a “coffee grinder” pedestal to ease the passage of the helmsman when tacking. We are also improving the trimming system on the lower shrouds (backstays for holding up the mast) so that they are automatically adjusted when the spar is canted (as with a windsurfer). We are making protective hoods for the helming stations too. Jean-Baptiste Epron has designed them and Lionel Lemonchois has adapted them…“

Without doubt, the Gitana Team, in spite of very little sailing last year, has put up a solid front against the first imperfections of the ‘innovative’ trimaran and tried to rectify them as quickly as possible. Among the list of transformations already announced, the new rudder blade of the central hull will be retractable, so as to reduce the drag in light weather conditions; as well as having a ‘fuse’ in the event of contact with a floating object. The transmission system of the helms has also been further enhanced to refine helm precision. Similarly the barber-hauler of the gennaker (large balloon jib) has been modified to improve the hold of the sail when reaching.

A French-Swiss crew

For this season, exempt of single-handed sailing, the crew of Gitana will be French-Swiss and selected on the same basis as last year. For the 4 Grand Prix of Lorient (F), Cagliari (It), Marseilles (F) and Fécamp (F), there will be eleven aboard. A newcomer has just joined the crew in the person of Jean-Paul Levrel, emulator of the America’s Cup as well as 60-foot multihulls, since he has accompanied Lionel Lemonchois next to Yvan Bourgnon. Jean-Paul Levrel : “60-foot trimarans make up a superb sports series ; very physical and tactically very interesting. Aboard Gitana in the Grand Prix, I’m initiating a second career as a top-level sportsman“.

In fact, Jean-Paul has a great deal of experience in high level sport and his own physical preparation : He was part of the French Judo Team for 12 years and is still a trainer. The Gitana Team will undoubtedly be able to put his wealth of experience to good use, particularly as the training period before the first Grand Prix promises to be excessively short and ultra intense. A non-stop navigation is planned between 17 and 24 April, leading straight onto the Grand Prix de Lorient from 25 to 27.

Gitana Team 2003

Olivier Besse / CH :

Project Manager

Crew Grand Prix

Lionel Lemonchois / F :	Skipper
Benjamin de Rothschild :	Performer
Nicolas Berthoud / CH :	Mainsail
François Denis / F :	N°1 / Foredeck
Philippe Durr / CH :	Tactician
Nicolas Engel / CH :	Piano
Jean-Baptiste Epron / F :	Mainsail traveller
Marc Guessard / F :	Navigator
Jean-Paul Levrel / F :	Wincher
Yann Marilley / F :	Sail trimmer
Olivier Wroczynski / F :	Sail trimmer

Crew Challenge Mondial Assistance

Lionel Lemonchois
Benjamin de Rothschild
Yann Marilley
Olivier Wroczynski
Marc Guessard
François Denis

Development team

Hugues de Turckheim / F
Richard Bastide / F

Shore crew

Jean-Yves Le Govic / F
Olivier Staub / F
Patrick Jullien / F

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