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.

13.11.2007

Full steam ahead.

For the multihull fleet, it's a case of full steam ahead, propelled by a south-east trade wind towards Bahia, while the monohulls are still trundling along in the ocean of Cape Verde with almost 2,000 miles yet to cover. Groupama is expected to reach Bahia late morning and Gitana 11 should enter All Saints' Bay more towards the end of the day.

par Gitana

For the multihull fleet, it’s a case of full steam ahead, propelled by a south-east trade wind towards Bahia, while the monohulls are still trundling along in the ocean of Cape Verde with almost 2,000 miles yet to cover. Groupama is expected to reach Bahia late morning and Gitana 11 should enter All Saints’ Bay more towards the end of the day.

Gitana 11 currently lies 280 miles behind the leader Groupama, so Lionel Lemonchois’s chief aim is now to keep in check Pascal Bidégorry, who may be 100 miles further behind but still has every intention of scrapping for second place. On the reaching leg, both boats have clocked up impressive speeds consistently above 25 knots! Lionel and Pascal won this event together in 2005, so they know each other inside out and respect each other deeply, but both have a title to defend which, unless something pretty disastrous befalls Groupama, won’t be coming their way this time. So now on board Gitana 11, the focus is on the rear field. The excellent progress made last night courtesy of a flawless path picked through the doldrums will have reassured the skippers, but they must maintain their concentration and watchfulness all the way to the finish line…

Lionel Lemonchois, skipper of Gitana 11 : “We’ve got a decent lead over Pascal, but I know him and the last thing on his mind will be giving up. He’ll keep fighting to the last, so we have to be on our guard. I was thrilled to win with him two years ago but this time around I won’t be giving up second place to him! We’re going well and the conditions are perfect for these truly amazing boats… »

No surprises among the monohulls, where the fleet is fragmenting around Cape Verde according to the options chosen. Gitana Eighty is following the path of Ecover on a more central route. The Peyron – Le Vaillant pairing is managing its race remarkably well, while finding time to hail the fine performance of Mike Golding, who has emerged in optimum fashion from the random conditions in which the fleet was sailing for a few days. “They’ve performed very well, so hats off to them. The boat is ideally placed to descend wind abeam,” remarked Loïck Peyron in the radio chat. Next up is the passage through the doldrums, knowing that the first to emerge after what is bound to be 3 to 4 days will then pick up the south-east trade wind and have one foot on the top step of the podium.

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