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.

12.05.2008

Getting into the rhythm.

Racing for over 24 hours, the fleet of thirteen Imoca monohulls in The Artemis Transat are powering along downwind, headed by today's leader Sébastien Josse. The first to pass Eddystone lighthouse yesterday and number one at gate 2 off Lizard Point, Loïck Peyron and Gitana Eighty were in 5th place within the leading pack at 1400 UT today.

par Gitana

Racing for over 24 hours, the fleet of thirteen Imoca monohulls in The Artemis Transat are powering along downwind, headed by today’s leader Sébastien Josse. The first to pass Eddystone lighthouse yesterday and number one at gate 2 off Lizard Point, Loïck Peyron and Gitana Eighty were in 5th place within the leading pack at 1400 UT today.

The first day at sea for the solo sailors participating in the 13th edition of The Artemis Transat was, unfortunately, in line with the pre-start forecasts; notably light conditions with multiple variations in the wind direction, resulting in some stressful opening miles for the skippers. As Loïck Peyron confirmed at the start of the afternoon, there have been numerous manœuvres and sail changes aboard Gitana Eighty: “We’ve been through her entire sail wardrobe! The wind has been very shifty and it still is, which requires a fair amount of work on deck. We switched to gennaker overnight before hoisting our spinnaker” explained the skipper. These stressful conditions, which have allowed little sleep, have been made worse by poor visibility throughout the night; perfect conditions for ensuring the solo sailors are quickly plunged into the thick of the action.

At the 1400 UT ranking, conditions were favouring the ‘southerners’ in the leading group, which reflects Sébastien Josse’s leadership and Michel Desjoyeaux’ second place. Loïck Peyron, who is currently in 5th place in this ranking and 13 miles from the skipper of BT, has chosen to stick it out to the north of his rivals. Though Gitana Eighty is currently benefiting from less pressure than his friends, this is how Loïck Peyron has decided to attack the rounding to the southern edge of a zone of high pressure positioned over Ireland.

As he waits for the wind shift, the skipper of Gitana Eighty will once again have his work cut out over the coming hours, with a gybe in view. This is especially true given that the wind shift will be accompanied this evening by a freshening breeze, building to around 20-25 knots, before easing again early tomorrow morning: “The pattern is clear for the next 48 hours, but after that it’s incomprehensible…” highlighted the skipper of Gitana Eighty. In familiarly serene form, Loïck Peyron didn’t make the situation out to be worse than it is: “There’s no point being overly irritated today, we’ll have to wait till the situation settles down and concentrate on the conditions we encounter along the way for the time being.” As a result, the double winner of The Transat is concentrating on getting the most recent of the Gitana fleet to gain headway, and make the most of the variations and whims of the wind gods.

1400 UT ranking
1; BT (Sébastien Josse) 2,696 miles from the finish
2. Foncia (Michel Desjoyeaux) 5.3 miles from the leader
3. PRB (Vincent Riou) 6.6 miles back
4. Generali (Yann Eliès) 10.8 miles back
5. Gitana Eighty (Loïck Peyron) 12.8 miles back
6. Brit Air (Armel Le Cléach’) 13.9 miles back

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