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.

12.09.2008

Gitana 13 searching for the way out.

For a few hours, Lionel Lemonchois and his nine man crew have had to face up to the ups and downs of the Doldrums, and are thrashing it out with the whims of the wind Gods in a bid to gain northing. Indeed, the maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group will have to find the way out of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone in order to…

par Gitana

Back in the northern hemisphere for the past 24 hours, the sailors of Gitana Team have quickly got into the thick of the action. The zone of instability in the Doldrums is well and truly in evidence, with its lines of squalls and its evanescent winds setting the sailors’ nerves on edge: “Last night, we found a giant cumulonimbus across our course! This encounter led to a night of intense activity aboard Gitana 13… The winds have been constantly changing and they did a ‘tour of the parish’ on several occasions. The immediate result of this was lots of manoeuvres on deck and the standby watch were permanently being called upon by those already on deck. The hours of sleep have been virtually non-existent!” explained a slightly fatigued Dominic Vittet. Indeed, fuelled with extremely precise satellite images by Sylvain Mondon throughout the night, the onboard navigator was also far from sparing of his efforts at the chart table, as he tried to find a way through these stormy conditions.
The massive black cloud mass, of which Lionel Lemonchois and his men have seen a succession pass over their heads, have been laden with rain: “The squalls have delivered torrential rain with an abundance of fresh water. This was a very good thing because our vessel really needed some; the salt was beginning to ooze out of the winches” added our discussion partner for the day.

Over the coming hours, Dominic Vittet was really hoping to be able to take advantage of the cumulonimbus at the root of their lively night: “It would seem that our big cloud is being transformed into a tropical low. If this is confirmed, we’re hoping that it will generate some wind, thus enabling us to cover the miles still separating us from the exit to the Doldrums. However, it won’t be simple as the cloud mass is unstable and it’s hard to predict anything.” The men of Gitana 13 are being vigilant: they know that at any point, the capricious wind can deal them a cruel blow and vanish without warning.

Positioned making 4 and then 1.4 knots at the start of the morning, the maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has since picked up the pace again. But for how long? Gitana 13 still has 300 miles to go before she’s free of this zone and can feel the effects of the NE’ly tradewinds. At that point the crew will begin sailing close-hauled, full and by, towards the Azores.

A few figures
Gitana 13 left Hong Kong on Thursday 14th August at 07h55’32” (UT)
Friday 12th September at 0745 UT, Gitana 13 was sailing at 06°31.57 N / 17°08.58 W

Watch No1: Lionel Lemonchois (Skipper / watch leader / helmsman) / Olivier Wroczynski (trimmer /head of computers and power) / David Boileau (Bowman / head of deck fittings)

Watch No.2: Ludovic Aglaor (watch leader / helmsman) / Laurent Mermod (trimmer) / Ronan Le Goff (Bowman)

Watch No.3: Pascal Blouin (Watch leader / helmsman) / Ronan Guérin (trimmer) / Léopold Lucet (No.1, head of supplies and doctor)

Outside the watch system: Dominic Vittet (navigator)

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