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.

31.08.2012

Edmond de Rothschild Group gets into the rhythm.

par Gitana

Today was set to be coloured by light winds but ultimately a steady breeze of around a dozen knots was dished up for the Extreme Sailing Series fleet, punctuated by some violent gusts from a variety of directions. In these changeable conditions, Edmond de Rothschild Group occasionally found it hard to position themselves on the start lines. However, the crew has now found its bearings aboard and didn’t let up, showing the pace of the boat fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild. After eight physical races, including one fine victory in the final race of the day, Pierre Pennec and his men moved up two places in tonight’s overall standing in the Cardiff Grand Prix.

It takes an average of 12 minutes to complete an Extreme 40 race. In such a short space of time, the one-designs take the start, perform two beats, two runs, and return on a reach, slaloming between the course marks situated off Cardiff’s sea wall. All these different points of sail call for constant trimming and sail changes. “I found the crew to be highly effective in these boisterous conditions. Despite the need for a physical performance, everyone managed to keep a clear head and remain calm. It’s not yet perfect but given the little time we’ve had together in contact with our rivals, I reckon the team works very well.”

The Gitana Team is being supported in Cardiff by a sports coach, Alexandre Guyader, who can look at the races from the outside, as well as focusing on the crew’s recovery: “In this strong breeze, over a series of short courses one after the other (eight races today), you really have to monitor the guys’ recovery and hydration. There are still two days of racing to go, which will be just as demanding, so they mustn’t burn out.”

Today Edmond de Rothschild Group was able to show the Welsh its speed. Often covered during the starts, Pierre Pennec and his men moved up through the fleet each time and rounded off the day nicely midway up the leaderboard. “One time the door closes, another time I’m too close and I get slammed with a penalty. It’s obviously frustrating! However, what we’ve noticed is that when we are last out of the blocks, a long way behind at times, we manage to move up into fourth place. That means that we’re quick and that we’re manoeuvring well! Similarly, when we start out in front, we stay ahead. Although it feels like we’ve been sailing below par for the past two days, we’ve still managed to move up two places in the overall standing, which means we’re closer to the podium tonight,” explains the skipper from La Rochelle. And to finish on a positive note, the crew of Gitana Team ended the day with a victory after what spectators referred to as a ‘perfect’ start.

Like yesterday, the catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild is nineteen points shy of the leader in the overall standing this evening. However, Pierre Pennec and his four crew are just ten points astray of the team currently in second place. Just a slight deficit then, given the number of races left to run and the points still to be awarded this weekend.

Tomorrow conditions are very likely to resemble those encountered today, with the wind building towards the end of the day and still strong gusts again, which give spectators a real fright as the catamarans come close to capsizing as they fly a hull. Racing starts tomorrow at 1400 hours local time.

Today’s results for Edmond de Rothschild Group

Race 9 – 4^th

Race 10 – 7^th

Race 11 – 2^nd

Race 12 – 6^th

Race 13 – 5^th

Race 14 – 6^th

Race 15 – 2^nd

Race 16 – 1^st

Standing for the Cardiff Grand Prix after the second day (sixteen races run)

Red Bull Sailing Team – 102 points
Oman Air – 93 points
The Wave Muscat – 91 points
GAC Pindar – 86 points
5. Edmond de Rothschild Group – 83 points
SAP Extreme Sailing Team – 80 points
Alinghi – 78 points
Team Wales – 56 points
Zoulou – 50 points

The crew of the Extreme Edmond de Rothschild Group

Pierre Pennec (Skipper / Helmsman),

Arnaud Psarofaghis (trimmer and traveller),

Romain Motteau (headsail trimmer),

Christophe André (Bowman),

Romain Petit (trimmer),

Alexandre Guyader (coach)

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