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.

28.08.2010

Edmond de Rothschild Group moves up into the top spot.

par Gitana

The catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has been continuing to up the ante since the start of the Grand Prix of Kiel. The men making up Gitana Team have scored a podium place in seven races and have even racked up two race wins. Third on Thursday evening and second yesterday, Yann Guichard and his three crew are now leading the German competition with a day of racing to go. After their victory in Sète at the end of May, the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group will be trying to repeat that performance tomorrow.

Decidedly indiscernible, the Kiel race zone showed competitors a number of different faces today. Indeed the skies of Germany constantly alternated between squalls and clear spells, whilst the wind oscillated tirelessly, leaving sails with a lack of air or causing the Extreme 40s to fly a hull… Some tricky conditions then, but they didn’t seem to bother the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group: “This morning we were keen to reduce our deficit in relation to the frontrunner and get past them if possible… I reckon we’ve successfully reached our objective. I think today has been one of the finest for the Gitana Team since we began competing in the Extreme Sailing Series. From the first race we were right into the rhythm of the racing which, once again, wasn’t easy. The wind was still fairly light in terms of intensity, despite some big gusts, and it shifted about a lot in terms of direction.”

After a day that the skipper didn’t hesitate to classify as faultless, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild Group shared with us the elements that enabled the crew to perform so well and was keen to emphasise the great work by Pierre Pennec, Hervé Cunningham and Thierry Fouchier, his Dream Team: “It was the mindset we had aboard today which really made a difference. We worked hard from one race to the next and never gave up. Most of my starts were good, but even when that wasn’t the case, my crew were quite simply perfect. They manœuvre extremely well and I’m keen to highlight the fact that as far as that aspect of our game plan is concerned, we’re a notch better than our adversaries.”

Edmond de Rothschild Group was in second position in the provisional ranking last night, with a four point deficit in relation to Ecover. After the seven races contested this Saturday, Yann Guichard and his men have taken the lead in the event, with a sixteen point lead over Loick Peyron’s crew and eighteen over that of Mike Golding. Naturally satisfied with his crew’s exploits, the Gitana skipper remained clear-headed all the same: “It’s not over yet! There are still five to six races left to run, with the last race scoring double points, and it’s still a close-run thing between Oman Masirah and Ecover. It’s sure to be a great battle for outright victory.”

The final races in the Grand Prix of Kiel will be contested tomorrow afternoon, from 1430 hours. For Yann Guichard and his Dream Team it will be a question of thwarting the attacks of their closest rivals to take victory in the second Grand Prix of their 2010 season: “Tomorrow we’ll have to sail as we know how: cleanly and without putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves!” concluded Yann Guichard calmly.

Provisional ranking for the Grand Prix of Kiel on 28^th August (after seventeen races)

1. Edmond de Rothschild Group (Yann Guichard) – 111 points

2. Oman Sail Masirah (Loïck Peyron) – 95 points

3. Ecover Sailing Team (Mike Golding) – 93 points

4. The Wave, Muscat (Paul Campbell-James) – 84 points

5. The Ocean Racing Club (Mitch Booth) – 80 points

6. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (Roman Hagara) – 68 points

7. Groupama 40 (Tanguy Cariou) – 59 points

8. Audi Sailing Team Germany (Johannes Polgar) – 49 points

9. Wirsol Team Germany (Roland Gaebler) – 41 points

The crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group

Yann Guichard – Skipper, helmsman / Pierre Pennec – Mainsail trimmer / Thierry Fouchier – Headsail trimmer / Hervé Cunningham – Bowman

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