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.

16.07.2004

Gitana 11 calls it a day.

Everything on board Gitana 11 has been made safe since this morning thanks to the calm, cool and collected – not to mention efficient - intervention of the crew. Now that the technical obligations have been taken care of, the boat is now making way for La Trinité sur Mer (Southern Brittany).

par Gitana

Everything on board Gitana 11 has been made safe since this morning thanks to the calm, cool and collected – not to mention efficient – intervention of the crew. Now that the technical obligations have been taken care of, the boat is now making way for La Trinité sur Mer (Southern Brittany).

Reassured that things technical have been sorted out, Fred Le Peutrec, skipper of Gitana 11 has officially announced to René Boullaire, President of the Race Committee that Gitana 11 is retiring from the Québec-Saint Malo race. After having collided with an « UFO » (unidentified floating object, not at all rare on the North Atlantic), the crew finished making the necessary repairs by the end of the afternoon. The engine which provides the boat’s energy never the less came into contact with saltwater and so computers and electronics are out of action for the time being.But there is no trouble monitoring Gitana 11’s position thanks to her Argos beacon. At 15h00 (French time) the boat was 50°31.2 North – 34°02.6 West and was steering a 135° course, at a perfectly respectable speed of 13.8 knots.

Although the boat can no longer sail at her full potential in terms of speed, she can still manoeuvre without any problem as both her floats have rudders, neither of which sustained any damage in the incident. Current speed of 13 knots is quite normal for a boat on a delivery passage no longer under the pressure to perform to race standards.

Life on board is not wholly comfortable for the guys on board, but it remains perfectly safe.

So the trimaran is making way to La Trinité sur Mer where she will undergo repairs for the Grand Prix de Fécamp at the end of August. She will take 4-5 days to reach her Breton home port, thus sometime around Tuesday 20th July. Gitana 11 will never the less need to spend several weeks in the shed before being fighting fit.

Meanwhile, back on Gitana X…

As for Gitana X, Marc Guillemot and his crew have finally latched onto some wind and by midday Friday were sailing at 25 knots towards the Fastnet Rock. There is no way the trimaran can realistically hope to reach the leading trio but they are in with a chance of catching up with the peloton if the wind weakens before reaching Ireland which is reckoned to be the case this evening..

The crew sent a message to Gitana 11 : « Just heard the news. Bad luck for the crew on Gitana 11. Pleased to know however that everyone on board is fine and that you can make it home under your own steam. Thinking of you and doing our best to fly the Gitana Team colours as well as possible. Good luck.. »
Marco and the crew of Gitana X

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