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.

09.06.2005

Conditions uncertain.

It is difficult to say quite how long the seven strong fleet of trimarans will take to race round the Island of Beauty as Corsica is known familiarly. The opening course of the Corsican Grand Prix covers some 250 miles. Weather forecasts are for light wind today but calming overnight…

par Gitana

At the skippers’ briefing session this morning, some even jokingly said that they might not be back before Sunday morning ! If current forecasts are anything to go by, it looks highly likely that this original course could end on Friday afternoon after thirty or so hours. As with the season’s opening race from Lorient to Nice, it is common knowledge that the Mediterranean is very unpredictable apart from times when there are the very special local conditions, such as the Mistral or an easterly blow. In a zone where there is a low gradient between a high and low pressure system, winds are unstable in strength and direction. The thermal phenomena and the mountain relief play an important role close to the coast – all the more so in an island as large as Corsica.
According to Gitana Team’s meteorologist, Sylvain Mondon, the fleet should be in for a 5-8 knot easterly wind at the start (11h00), before it shifts west and veers NE again around 16h00 becoming east, weak to moderate in the Bouches de Bonifacio at the end of the afternoon. On the way back up to Cape Corsica, conditions will be calmer with a northerly breeze.

Note that Gitana X is racing with a crew of just six to be as light as possible, (one crew = roughly 100 kg with clothes and water ration) whereas they will be sailing eight up on Gitana 1I. Other skippers have made a wide range of various choices. Regular position polling is being done throughout the race (16h, 20h, 8h, 12h, 16h) and there will be a new update on the Gitana Team around 17h00 today and another around 10h00 on Friday morning.

Crew – Gitana X for the Round Corsica Race

Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (skipper-helm)
Erwan Le Roux (tactician)
Mayeul Riffet (navigator)
Mathieu Tatibouët (trimmer)
Antoine Carpentier (foredeck / n°2)
Léopold Lucet (bowman / n°1)

Crew – Gitana 11

Frédéric Le Peutrec (skipper)
Baron Benjamin de Rothschild (performer-navigator)
Daniel Souben (tactician)
Jean-Baptiste Levaillant (trimmer)
Jean-Baptiste Epron (trimmer)
Antoine Mermod (pit)
François Denis (foredeck / n°2)
Christophe Lassègue (bowman / n°1)

Trimaran fleet – Grand Prix de Corse

Foncia : Armel Le Cléac’h
Banque Populaire : Pascal Bidegorry
Géant : Michel Desjoyeaux
Gitana X : Thierry Duprey du Vorsent
Gitana 11 : Frédéric Le Peutrec
Groupama-2 : Franck Cammas
TIM-Progetto Italia : Giovanni Soldini

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