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.

13.09.2008

By dint of patience.

This Saturday morning, whilst Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew are beginning their 30th day at sea in their record attempt between Hong Kong and London, Gitana 13 is sailing abeam of Sierra Leone. Progress is unsteady due to the effects of the Doldrums which don't yet seem to have decided to let go of the maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF…

par Gitana

This Saturday morning, whilst Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew are beginning their 30th day at sea in their record attempt between Hong Kong and London, Gitana 13 is sailing abeam of Sierra Leone. Progress is unsteady due to the effects of the Doldrums which don’t yet seem to have decided to let go of the maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group.

Patience is more crucial than ever aboard Gitana 13. Still caught in the clutches of a capricious Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, with shifty and very often light winds, the sailors of Gitana Team remain calm and are making the most of every possible opportunity to rack up the miles, as was evident last night: “We benefited from a blustery squall to hook onto a good air flow, which enabled us to make headway at an average of 20 knots for three hours. It was fairly short-lived but we know only too well that these few hours of making headway along the course at a steady speed are important for what’s to come” explained Ronan Guérin mid morning.

A new member of the crew of Gitana 13 for the Tea Route, Ronan shares with us his current experiences: “I had never sailed aboard a boat like Gitana 13 before; I’m a lot more used to one-design and Figaros (ten metre monohull). What is particularly enriching about this adventure for me is the ‘team sport’ aspect. The manœuvres can call upon the whole crew and we all play an important role in getting the boat making headway. There are naturally some appointed helmsmen, starting with the watch leaders, but all the crew take it in turns at the helm, which is very appreciable. Lionel is a great leader of men: he lets us have freedom in our choices and entrusts us with various responsibilities, but he’s never far away! He orchestrates discretely…”

Today isn’t forecast to be very productive for the men of the maxi-catamaran, but this is the price they have to pay to extract themselves from the Doldrums and hit the NE’ly tradewinds, synonymous with winds which, though on the nose, will be steadier. The transition between these two phenomena will begin this afternoon for Lionel Lemonchois and his men.

Crossing the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone requires the crew’s full attention, not to mention energy, but already at the chart table, minds are on the conditions to come. Supported as ever by Sylvain Mondon, Gitana Team’s router, Dominic Vittet is studying the different scenarios. Currently the Azores High, which is situated between the Portuguese archipelago and Spain, is breaking up to position itself across the European continent. However, from Tuesday, the zone of high pressure will take its rightful position over the Azores again, with a low forming over the island of Madeira. For the time being this configuration doesn’t seem to be on the side of the maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. However, as is always the case with the weather, nothing is set in stone and things may evolve. Patience is the order of the day then!

A few figures
Gitana 13 left Hong Kong on Thursday 14th August at 07h55’32” (UT)
Saturday 13th September at 0745UT, Gitana 13 was sailing at 09°38.40 N /18°26.63 W

Watch No1: Lionel Lemonchois (Skipper / watch leader / helmsman) / Olivier Wroczynski (trimmer /head of computers and power) / David Boileau (Bowman / head of deck fittings)

Watch No.2: Ludovic Aglaor (watch leader / helmsman) / Laurent Mermod (trimmer) / Ronan Le Goff (Bowman)

Watch No.3: Pascal Blouin (Watch leader / helmsman) / Ronan Guérin (trimmer) / Léopold Lucet (No.1, head of supplies and doctor)

Outside the watch system: Dominic Vittet (navigator)

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