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.

11.05.2008

Gitana Eighty and Loïck Peyron set the tone at Eddystone.

Plymouth harbour was dressed in all its finery to celebrate the start of the 13th edition of The Transat. At 1200 UT, the thirteen Imoca monohulls set off, escorted by hundreds of spectator yachts, in a bid to attack the North Atlantic; a 3,000 mile course which will take the solo sailors to Boston. Leading the fleet from the opening miles, the dou…

par Gitana

After the second best start, the monohull in the colours of LCF Rothschild Group favoured the right-hand side of the race zone and set off from the pin-end of the line. This choice paid off as 10 miles further down the track, as they passed Eddystone lighthouse, Gitana Eighty passed into the lead, leaving Safran, skippered by Marc Guillemot, over three minutes in its wake. A gentle start then with Loïck Peyron able to express his finesse once more…

With medium to light winds forecast over the first few hours of racing, and in a complicated weather situation over the next part of the course, the exit from the Channel and the entry into the Celtic Sea will be decisive. Now more than ever the time is ripe for giving it their all so as to hook onto the right system.

Prior to greeting the crowds massed around Sutton Harbour marina this morning, the skipper of Gitana Eighty declared: “The forecast seems to be suggesting that we’re going to make more manoeuvres on this transatlantic than on a Vendée Globe! We’re likely to get through the entire sail wardrobe and pass through each and every stage of the game: it’s going to be very open.” True to form then, the mother of all transatlantics will keep all her promises…

Statements from Loïck Peyron prior to the start

The forecast for the first few hours: “We should benefit from a light thermal breeze as we head offshore but globally we’ll have fairly light, downwind conditions. The gates set by the organisation, particularly that of Lizard Point, will force us to close on the English coast and unfortunately it’s there that there will be less wind. In addition to that, during the course of the evening we’ll have the current on the nose. In short, little sleep tonight in view but numerous manœuvres and some sail trimming to remain in the right vein of wind. There is a chance we may bunch together again at Lizard Point.”

Gitana Eighty’s handling in these conditions: “Gitana Eighty has already demonstrated that, in the light airs, it is a fast all-rounder. These are the kinds of conditions that our ‘baby’ loves… I’ll have to keep an eye on Safran and Foncia, particularly in the light winds. The big differences over the first few hours of racing will essentially come down to manoeuvres and the choice of sail plan at the start.”

A thought from the solo sailor for his crew: “The Gitana Team has done an excellent job on Gitana Eighty and today I find myself wending my way alone at the helm of a perfectly prepared boat. It’s a big responsibility as I don’t really want to disappoint anyone, but above all else it’s an honour. Thank you to all the team and to Baron Benjamin de Rothschild for his trust in me.”

Position of the top five at Eddystone lighthouse – Omega gate
1. Gitana Eighty (Loïck Peyron) at 15h16’17”
2. Safran (Marc Guillemot) at 15h19’23”
3. Brit Air (Armel Le Cléach) at 15h19’46”
4. BT (Sébastien Josse) at 15h21’01”
5. Foncia (Michel Desjoyeaux) at 15h21’44”

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