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.

08.05.2008

D-3 for the start of the 13th edition of The Transat.

Like Gitana Team, its General Manager - Loïck Peyron – is sailing on all the fronts. Winner of the crewed Grand Prix Petit Navire in Douarnenez a week ago, the skipper of Gitana Eighty went directly onto the delivery of his 60 footer to the UK. On arrival in Sutton Harbour Marina, Loïck Peyron set off for Switzerland, where he contested and won the…

par Gitana

Like Gitana Team, its General Manager – Loïck Peyron – is sailing on all the fronts. Winner of the crewed Grand Prix Petit Navire in Douarnenez a week ago, the skipper of Gitana Eighty went directly onto the delivery of his 60 footer to the UK. On arrival in Sutton Harbour Marina, Loïck Peyron set off for Switzerland, where he contested and won the Grand Prix Chopard in the D35 last weekend. A packed programme incorporating numerous and diverse sailing is something the sailor, from La Baule on France’s Atlantic coast, considers to be essential for his preparation.

72 hours from kick-off in The Transat 2008, this year christened The Artemis Transat, the thirteen Imoca monohulls registered are wisely sitting it out in Sutton Harbour Marina, nestled in the Barbican area of Plymouth. Aboard Gitana Eighty, the shore crew are busying themselves with the final details. Yesterday evening, Loïck Peyron and his men went for a final test sail in Plymouth’s harbour so as to make the final checks prior to the departure for Boston. The next few days will be dedicated to embarking the supplies as well as the study of grib files and ice charts. “The receipt of files and their analysis is intensifying with three days to go till the start. For the time being, forecasts are indicating a downwind exit into the English Channel in a medium wind. However, some radical options should take shape from that point. This transatlantic race promises to be fairly open…”

Double winner of the event (1992, 1996 in the multihull category), Loïck Peyron will set off on Sunday 11th May at 1400 hours (local time), at the helm of the most recent of the Gitana fleet, in a bid for a historic triple.

Radio silence…
During the transatlantic, the sailors taking part in this 13th edition will experience a 36 hour position black-out. Indeed, in line with the weather situation and the tactical intrigue, race management will select a day during which competitors won’t have access to the positions of the rest of the fleet. This initiative, thought-up in order to revive past conditions in the early days of this legendary race, greatly appeals to the skipper of Gitana Eighty.

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