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  • Gitana 18
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  • Heritage

    • 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.

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    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.

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    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.

    Gitana 18’s daggerboard

    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.

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    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.

    Gitana 18’s coachroof

    11.04.2006

    Energising the team.

    On Monday 3 April, Loïck Peyron took up his new position as General Manager of the Gitana Team. While Gitana 11 was spending the weekend out at sea for the first time this year, after a great deal of over-winter work, this talented sailor sat down with us and talked about his new responsibilities.

    par Gitana

    On Monday 3 April, Loïck Peyron took up his new position as General Manager of the Gitana Team. While Gitana 11 was spending the weekend out at sea for the first time this year, after a great deal of over-winter work, this talented sailor sat down with us and talked about his new responsibilities.

    To replace Yann Marilley, who had been Team Manager for the previous two seasons, the Gitana Team needed to find a coordinator who not only had the respect of the sailing community, but also the kind of character that would energise the team. As far as Baron Benjamin de Rothschild was concerned, there was only one man for the job – Loïck Peyron. The native of La Baule had been an Orma trimarans skipper for more than fifteen years, and moreover had the kind of innovative spirit, technical knowledge and solo navigation skills to be a good team manager.

    “The first thing I have to say is that I’m delighted by the confidence which Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has shown in me. I’m really looking forward to the work I’ll be doing with a large but highly motivated team that has a lot of specialist knowledge in every aspect of the sport. The people I’ve worked with have always been closely involved in sailing, such as Messrs Lacoste, Poch and Develay… I first met the Baron Benjamin de Rothschild back in 2003, just before the Transat Jacques Vabre. We were then talking about the possible acquisition of Belgacom, which he did even before we got to Bahia! We recently got in touch again and he proposed me to integrate the Gitana Team…  For the past week, I’ve been totally involved with the team as they go from the winter period, with all the work which has been carried out on Gitana 11 and Gitana 12, back to actual navigation.

    Each member of the Gitana Team has their own area of expertise. After all, there are two boats, and it takes a lot of different specialist knowledge to run a team like this. You therefore need an overall coordinator who has a more global vision of the project without actually being involved on the water as the navigator of a specific boat. My job is really just to bring my experience, both on and offshore, and later on to make certain technical decisions, since this season is already well underway in terms of the development of the Gitana Team’s trimarans.

    On the water, we know how good Gitana 11 is, both in terms of the crew and the vessel itself. Big changes have been made, and we need to show that they were worthwhile. I sailed on it during the Transat Jacques Vabre 2003. Gitana 12 is of the same generation and has undergone some significant and very interesting renovations. Of course, the two vessels are by no means newcomers to the circuit, but they still have excellent potential, particularly thanks to the modifications that have included for this season.

    My involvement will also see me navigating on the two trimarans so that I can pass on the benefits of my sailing background as an observer. I’ll also have a coaching role for the solo navigation where I obviously have a lot of experience, even though I don’t want to do anymore multihull. I think it’s time for me to pass on my “trade secrets” to Frédéric and Thierry ahead of the Route du Rhum. It really is a great project – we have the technical, financial and human resources to be amongst the leaders at all the events throughout the year.”

    Record of achievements

    Transat Jacques Vabre 2005 : 1st on Virbac-Paprec with Jean-Pierre Dick
    Route des îles (Mumm-30) 2005 : 1st on Défi Partagé-Marseille
    Trophée Clairefontaine 2005 : 1st
    Bol d’Or 2005 : 1st D-35 on Okalys
    Challenge Ferrier-Lullin (D-35) 2004 : 2nd on Zebra 7
    Quebec/Saint-Malo 2004 : 4th on Sodebo with Thomas Coville
    Transat Jacques Vabre 2003 : 2nd on Belgacom with Jean-Luc Nélias
    Trophée Clairefontaine 2003 : 2nd
    Solitaire du Figaro 2003 : 6th on Fujifilm
    Trophée Clairefontaine 2002 : 1st
    Course des Phares 2002 : 1st on Fujifilm
    Transat Jacques Vabre 2001 : 3rd on Fujifilm
    The Race 2000-2001 : 2nd on Innovations Explorer
    Transat Jacques Vabre 1999 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Course de l’Europe 1999 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Route du Rhum 1998 : 5th on Fujicolor II
    Course de Phares 1998 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Transat Jacques Vabre 1997 : 3rd on Fujicolor II
    Course de l’Europe 1997 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Quebec/Saint-Malo 1996 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Europe 1 Star 1996 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Course de l’Europe 1995 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Twostar 1994 : 2nd on Fujicolor II 
    Transat Jacques Vabre 1993 : 3rd single hull on Fujicolor III
    Course de l’Europe 1993 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Europe 1 Star 1992 : 1st on Fujicolor II
    Vendée Globe 1990-1991 : 2nd on Lada Poch III 
    Lorient-Saint Bath-Lorient 1989 : 1st on Lada Poch III
    Quebec/Saint-Malo 1988 : 2nd on Lada Poch II
    C-Star 1988 : 3rd on Lada Poch II
    La Baule-Dakar 1987 : 1st on Lada Poch II
    GP de Boulogne (Formula 40) 1987 : 4th on Lada Poch 
    Route du Rhum 1986 : 5th on Lada Poch I
    Solitaire du Figaro 1986 : 4th on Lada Poch 
    Tour de l’Europe 1985 : 1st on Lada Poch I (Class III)
    Quebec-Saint Malo 1984 : 5th on Formule TAG with Mike Birch
    La Baule-Dakar 1983 : 4th on Lada Poch I
    Lorient-Bermuda-Lorient 1983 : 5th on Transat TAG Québec avec Mike Birch 
    Route du Rhum 1982 : 17th on La Baule-Teletota
    La Rochelle-New Orleans 1982 : 9th  with Bruno Peyron on Jaz 
    La Baule-Dakar 1981 : 21st on Accoustique HRC 
    Mini Transat 1979 : 26th on Sogeport-Alcor

            
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