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.

21.06.2010

Express SNSM Record for Gitana 11.

The first maxi-multihull to take the start of the SNSM Record, Gitana 11 has set a reference time across the 360 mile course proposed for the 6th edition of what has become a seasonal classic. Yann Guichard and his six crew completed the two return legs between Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantic) and Sainte Marine (South Finistère) in a time of 19 hours…

par Gitana

After setting out at 1434 hrs local time on Sunday 20^th June, Gitana 11 was logically the first of the fifty-three participants to make it back to the eastern jetty of the port of Saint-Nazaire this Monday morning. It was at exactly 10 hours 13 minutes and 58 seconds local time that the maxi-multihull fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild completed the 360 mile course. Her skipper, Yann Guichard, gave us a rundown of the express record: “the conditions were perfect for us: flat seas, a wind of between 12 and 18 knots and a beautiful moon to accompany our night at sea. Our first climb up towards Sainte Marine involved an upwind leg in a NNW’ly breeze and those were the longest 90 miles of the record for Gitana 11. However, by early evening, after we passed the entrance to the Odet River, the wind clocked round to the NE, enabling us to complete the remaining one and a half circuits on a reach (Ed. wind on the beam). Gitana 11 goes fast on that point of sail and we were able to rack up a good pace, with top speeds of over 30 knots.”

By forming part of the second group to take the start, the 77 foot trimaran was able to enjoy the spectacle of thundering past the entire fleet participating in this 6^th SNSM record, taking the lead from the Grand Charpentier lighthouse, which marks the exit from the Loire estuary. Not surprisingly this was a moment which was much appreciated by the crew: “The departure from Saint-Nazaire was fantastic, with a fine breeze and a good helping of sunshine. The section that took us along the Loire Estuary enabled us to get past all our little playmates and it really was a fabulous spectacle to sail along, slaloming amongst this assorted fleet” explained Yann Guichard on his return, Gitana 11 already heading back to her home port.

For her first official outing since her transformation and extension with a view to the next Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale, Gitana 11 was able to show off part of her potential. These few hours sailing in a record atmosphere will have enabled Yann Guichard and his team to push their steed and learn a little more about their maxi-trimaran. For the skipper and the members of Gitana Team, the training sessions promise to be intense throughout the summer.

Gitana 11’s times

Departure from Saint-Nazaire: Sunday 20^th June at 1434 hrs local time

1^stpassage at Sainte Marine: Sunday 20^th June at 2043 hrs

2^nd passage at Sainte Marine: Monday 21^st June at 0410 hrs

Finish in Saint- Nazaire: Monday 21^st June at 1014 hrs

360 miles covered in a time of 19 hours 39 minutes and 58 seconds, at an average speed of 18.31 knots

The crew of Gitana 11 on the SNSM Record

Yann Guichard (skipper – helmsman)

Cyril Dardashti, Jean-Baptiste Levaillant, Billy Besson, Sébastien Thétiot, Pierre Bourcier, Jean Maurel

The SNSM Record in a few words

On the water, the SNSM Record amounts to a series of legs between Saint-Nazaire and Sainte Marine, whose initials make a veiled reference to the French SNSM Lifeboat Association. However, on land, this meeting gathers together professionals and amateurs, small and large craft alike, on the same start line, in order to promote the idea of safety at sea and encourage support for the volunteer lifeboat men and women from the SNSM (National Society of Sea Rescue). Created back in 2005, the record unquestionably forms part of the truly unmissable annual nautical meets, the draw of which is clearly linked to its ability to blend competition and public-spiritedness.

In 2010, the course differed according to the size and class measurement of the fifty-three participating yachts:

G-Class, VOR 70, IMOCA and Multi 50 : two return legs between Saint-Nazaire and Sainte Marine, or 360 nautical miles
Multi 2000, Class 40’, HN2, IRC 1 to 4 : Saint-Nazaire – Sainte Marine – Ile d’Yeu – Saint-Nazaire, or 260 nautical miles

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