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.

29.08.2004

Gitana 11 : 3rd in the Grand Prix de Fécamp.

The Gitana Team finishes this 4th meeting in the 2004 Orma season on a positive note after the disappointment of the capsize of Gitana X on Friday. In fact Gitana 11 takes third place in the Grand Prix de Fécamp after a final memorable day of racing contended under grey skies in 15 to 25 knots of wind.

par Gitana

The suspense in the general ranking for the top three lasted right up to the end of the Grand Prix. Karine Fauconnier and her crew had to battle hard to take victory in this final day of racing. Groupama II and Gitana 11, finish this evening just two points from Sergio Tacchini who are doubtless relieved not to have to relive the stinging experience of the Grand Prix de La Trinité sur Mer at the start of the season, where victory was snatched from them in the last race by Groupama I.

The battle for second and third place in the general ranking was extremely tight ultimately. On even points with Gitana 11 at the end of the 7th and final race of this Grand Prix, Franck Cammas on his new trimaran has the advantage, according to the race rules of the circuit, thanks to its three race victories. As a result Groupama pockets « the Silver » leaving « the Bronze » to Gitana 11.

It was doubtless this morning that Fred Le Peutrec and his crew let second place on the podium slip away from them with a 5th place in the first of the three races today. « Despite a very good start, we never managed to find the right trim in the race », stated a regretful crew who pulled off 3rd and 2nd place in the following races; a sign that it was simply a temporary hitch.

« This 3rd place demonstrates that all the work the Gitana Team have carried out since the start of the season has been worthwhile, highlights the skipper of Gitana 11. The arrival of Yann Guichard in the tactics, a better understanding of the boat after two transats, a series of several training sessions and deliveries, the growing cohesion of the crew, our new mainsail with a big roach and a team of very honed and motivated shore crew are all factors that help our progression in the Orma Championship ranking 2004. There are still two events in the Mediterranean, the Grand Prix of Corsica and the Grand Prix de Marseille so it’s up to us to continue to progress in the rankings. The result in the Grand Prix de Fécamp is very encouraging for us all. »

Sunday’s races:

Results of the 5th race in the Grand Prix de Fécamp

1 – Franck Cammas (Groupama II)
2 – Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini)
3 – Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant)
4 – Lalou Roucayrol (Banque Populaire)
5 – Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11)
6 – Thomas Coville (Sodebo)
7 – Stève Ravusssin (Banque Covefi)
8 – Alain Gautier (Foncia)
9 -Philippe Monnet (Sopra Group)
10 – Yves Parlier (Mediatis-Région Aquitaine)
DNC – Marc Guillemot (Gitana X)

Results of the 6th race in the Grand Prix de Fécamp

1 – Franck Cammas (Groupama II)
2 – Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant)
3 – Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11)
4 – Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini)
5 – Alain Gautier (Foncia)
6 – Lalou Roucayrol (Banque Populaire)
7 – Thomas Coville (Sodebo)
8 – Stève Ravusssin (Banque Covefi)
9 – Philippe Monnet (Sopra Group)
10 – Yves Parlier (Mediatis-Région Aquitaine)
DNC – Marc Guillemot (Gitana X)

Results of the 7th race in the Grand Prix de Fécamp

1 – Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant)
2 – Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11)
3 – Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini)
4 – Franck Cammas (Groupama II)
5 – Alain Gautier (Foncia)
6 – Philippe Monnet (Sopra Group)
7 – Stève Ravusssin (Banque Covefi)
8 – Lalou Roucayrol (Banque Populaire)
9 – Yves Parlier (Mediatis-Région Aquitaine)
DNS – Thomas Coville (Sodebo)
DNC – Marc Guillemot (Gitana X)

General Ranking after 7 races

1 – Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini) : 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 4 +3 = 16 points
2 – Franck Cammas (Groupama II) : 3 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 18 points
3 – Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) : 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 2 = 18 points
4 – Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) : 7 + 6 + 5 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 32 points
5 – Alain Gautier ( Foncia) : 4 + 7 + 4 + 5 + 8 + 5 + 5 = 38 points
6 – Lalou Roucayrol (Banque Populaire) : 5 + 2 + 12 + 6 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 43 points
7 – Stève Ravusssin (Banque Covefi) : 6 + 4 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 8 + 7 = 46 points
8 – Thomas Coville (Sodebo) : 8 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 6 + 7 + 12 = 51 points
9 – Philippe Monnet (Sopra Group) : 9 + 9 + 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 6 = 59 points
10 – Yves Parlier (Mediatis-Région Aquitaine) : 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 10 + 10 + 9 = 77 points
11 – Marc Guillemot (Gitana X) : 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 = 84 points

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