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.

28.08.2009

Close game amidst the gusts….

The 4th event in the 2009 schedule has got off to a good start with seven races run and a number of switches in position throughout the day. There was some good play and some not so good play for the crew of Gitana Extreme –LCF Rothschild Group, who conclude this first day of competition in fourth place in the provisional ranking. However, the batt…

par Gitana

The sailors forecast a complicated race zone in Kiel and they certainly weren’t wrong. Indeed a wind of around fifteen knots blew throughout the afternoon but it was the numerous tricky gusts which spiced up proceedings for the fleet of Extreme 40s. Unfortunately, one team paid the price for these shifty conditions. The skipper of Ecover, Mike Golding, got caught out by a big gust as they were heading for the start line of today’s 4^thrace. There were serious consequences since Ecover capsized and broke her mast. The participation of the English crew may thus be compromised for the rest of the competition.

“We’ve had mixed results! We started off very well with two second places and one third, but unfortunately we didn’t end as we began. The wind kicked in a bit and I think we were up to scratch with our trimming” agreed Yann Guichard. “It’s a difficult race zone. You have to be an opportunist, with a constant eye on the wind! However, the level’s gone up a notch and if we want to win, we’ve got to take a few risks whilst sailing cleanly. On the 6^th race we were bringing up the rear after a big error on us by Oman Sail Masirah. It’s annoying as the umpires on the water didn’t do their job correctly, but I prefer that to hitting a boat.”

With two victories and a good level of consistency, Pete Cumming’s crew came first in the grand prix once more. However, contrary to the events in Hyères and Cowes, where the Sultan of Oman’s team displayed real superiority from the outset, in Kiel the level is more homogenous, as the very slight separation in points bears witness.

Tomorrow a big day lies ahead of the crews of the competing Extreme 40s. Indeed the latest weather forecasts are showing around twenty knots of breeze, with the same numerous gusts as today on the German race zone. Though Yann Guichard and his three crew know that these breezy conditions promise some physical and difficult races, they also know that this will open things right up. Just a point away from the provisional rostrum anything’s possible!

Crew of Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group

Yann Guichard (skipper-helm)

Pierre Pennec (mainsail traveller trimmer, tactics), Christophe Lassegue (headsail trimmer, control of manoeuvres) and Hervé Cunningham (headsail trimmer, control of manoeuvres)

Ranking on the first day (after 7 races)

1/ Oman Sail Masirah (Pete Cumming) – 62 points

2/ Groupama 40 (Franck Cammas) – 51 points

3/ Oman Sail Renaissance (Loïck Peyron) – 47 points

4/ Gitana Extreme- LCF Rothschild Group (Yann GUICHARD) – 46 points

5/ BT (Nick Moloney) – 38 points

6/ iShares (Shirley Robertson) – 37 points

7/ Luna (Erik Maris) – 36 points

8/ Holmatro (Mitch Booth) – 32 points

9/ Wirsol Team German (Roland Gäbler) – 19 points

10/ Ecover (Mike Golding) – 8 points

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