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.

26.06.2005

Gitana 11 takes second in Marseille.

Franck Cammas guaranteed first place today by winning each and every round raced, the fight for second was played out on the last race. And Gitana 11 snapped up second !

par Gitana

Franck Cammas guaranteed first place today by winning each and every round raced, the fight for second was played out on the last race. And Gitana 11 snapped up second !

A close fought battle between Géant determined not to let anything go and Gitana 11, who turned out to have more a better vision in the end. Frédéric Le Peutrec and his crew were the only team to have managed to put Groupama behind them (Ed’s note – on the 3rd round on Friday). Gitana X continued trying to upset the apple cart, leaving Tim in her rear view mirror on the last round of the day.

Gitana X did her very best today but the weather was just not right for her, with 10 knot S wind, dropping to less than five knots or strengthening to around fifteen. Boat and crew continued to score points demonstrating the progress made as they manage to keep up more and more with the rest of the fleet.

Between Gitana 11, Géant and Banque Populaire, a hard-fought battle was expected. But after a difficult start to the day, Pascal Bidégorry did not manage to get back into the match. Michel Desjoyeaux was decidedly the most aggressive jockey, clocking up good scores between Saturday and Sunday. Everything was decided in the last round. Gitana 11 managed to withstand the pressure to take second in the Grand Prix de Marseille Métropole, on a level pegging points wise with Michel Desjoyeaux. But as Gitana 11 had actually won a round, they took the upper hand. Confirmation of the performance put on in the Grand Prix de Corse.

Rankings – Grand Prix de Marseille Métropole after nine rounds :

1-Franck Cammas – Groupama-2 (1+1+4+1+1+1+1+1+1) 12 points
2-Frédéric Le Peutrec – Gitana 11 (3+4+1+6+2+3+3+3+2) 27 points
3-Michel Desjoyeaux – Géant (4+2+5+3+4+2++2+2+3) 27 points
4-Pascal Bidegorry – Banque Populaire (2+3+2+4+3+6+6+5+5) 36 points
5-Armel Le Cléac’h – Foncia (5+5+3+2+6+4+4+4+4) 37 points
6-Giovanni Soldini – TIM Progetto Italia (7+6+7+5+5+5+5+6+7) 53 points
7-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent – Gitana X (6+7+6+7+7+7+7+7+6) 60 points

Provisional rankings – Orma Multihull Championship:

After the IB Group Challenge (weighting factor 3), the Grand Prix de Corse (weighting factor 1), the Giraglia Rolex Cup (weighting factor 0.5) and the Grand Prix de Marseille :

1-Pascal Bidegorry (Banque Populaire) 9 points (0+3+2+4)
2-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) 14.5 points (6+4+1,5+3)
3-Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) 16.5 points (9+2+3,5+2)
4- Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) 21 points (21+0+0+0)
5- Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia) 25 points (12+7+1+5)
6-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X) 29.5 points (15+5+2,5+7)
7-Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Progetto Italia) 66 points (51+6+3+6)
8ex-Thomas Coville (Sodebo) 87 points (51+18+9+9)
8ex-Yvan Bourgnon (Brossard) 87 points (51+18+9+9)

Crew – Gitana 11

Frédéric Le Peutrec (skipper), Yann Guichard (tactician), Baron Benjamin de Rothschild (performer-navigator), Jean-Baptiste Levaillant (trimmer), Daniel Souben (trimmer), Jean-Baptiste Epron (mainsheet), Alex Quiblier (wincher), Loïc Le Mignon (wincher), Antoine Mermod (pit), François Denis (foredeck / n°2), Christophe Lassègue (bowman / n°1)

Crew – Gitana X

Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (skipper-helm), Erwan Le Roux (tactician), Mayeul Riffet (pit-navigator), Jochen Krauth (trimmer), Mathieu Tatibouët (mainsheet), Yann Le Govic (mainsheet), Jacques Guichard (trimmer), Caroline Vieille (trimmer), Xavier Dagault (wincher), Antoine Carpentier (foredeck / n°2), Léopold Lucet (bowman / n°1)

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