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.

27.12.2020

Code orange activated, a fresh departure to round off 2020?.

par Gitana

A month ago to the day, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild was forced to turn back and cut short her first Jules Verne Trophy record attempt after a collision, which damaged the rudder and foil on the port float. With this incident occurring relatively early on in the standby period scheduled by the Gitana Team, it was possible to envisage a fresh departure once the repairs were made and above all a favourable weather window. The latter could open up from this coming Tuesday through until Thursday 31 December inclusive.

Orange is the new black…

After a long return journey to their base in Lorient as a result of the rather atypical weather in the North Atlantic, the men of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild entrusted the 32-metre giant to the expert hands of their shore crew in early December. Shortly before the festive break, the latest of the Gitanas was ready to get back down to action once more thanks to the outstanding work and reactivity of the team managed by Cyril Dardashti. All that was lacking at that point was the desired weather sequence to set sail on the 21,760 theoretical miles that make up the big looped circuit around the planet.

Since that time, the weather cell comprising the two skippers, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, and their router Marcel van Triest, have been scanning the grib file forecasts morning and evening in a bid to pinpoint this famous ‘window’. A potential departure opportunity is currently under study and may well lead to the crew crossing the start line offshore of Ushant between 29 and 31 December. As a result, Gitana Team has triggered the switch to code orange this Sunday!

The Dutch router, effectively the 7th man of the crew, unwraps the atypical situation in which the six-man crew could set sail from Tuesday and, though far from perfect, the potential weather window that has the whole team’s attention with just days to go until we move into 2021:
“It’s not the extraordinary window we’d hoped for at the start of standby, but it’s definitely worth taking seriously as it offers a reasonable passage time over the first third of the course. Right now, there is very rough weather offshore of Brittany with Storm Bella having swept the Atlantic coast and the English Channel. The wind is set to move round to the NNW, then it should ease from tomorrow evening. The sea state should also become more practicable. For now, these boisterous conditions are too full-on and are barring any chance of departing. However, we can’t hang around too long because, in the coming days, if the weather models play out as expected, a depression is forming to the WSW of the Canaries, in the middle of the Atlantic, and as it shifts over towards the African coast, it would likely cause a complete break in the trade wind system…” Remaining vigilant, opportunistic and ready to go, such are the day’s watchwords for the Gitana Team.

Tomorrow morning, the six sailors on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild and the team which is supporting them in this Jules Verne Trophy quest will come back together at the five-arrow racing stable’s base in Lorient where a busy programme awaits. This will include a weather briefing with Marcel van Triest, PCR tests, the loading of provisions and the preparation of their personal gear, ensuring a high-speed start to the week that will hopefully reflect the challenge ahead for Franck Cammas, Charles Caudrelier, Yann Riou, Erwan Israël, Morgan Lagravière and David Boileau.

Jules Verne Trophy memo:

Crew of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild:

Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier, skippers
David Boileau, trimmer bowman
Erwan Israël, helm trimmer
Morgan Lagravière, helm trimmer
Yann Riou, trimmer media man

Marcel van Triest, weather router
Yann Eliès, replacement crew

Record to beat:

40 days, 23 hours and 30 minutes > Record held by Francis Joyon and his crew (Idec Sport) since 26 January 2017.

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