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.

08.09.2004

Gitana Team bound for the Mediterranean.

As in 2003, the ORMA circuit is southbound for the last two Grand Prix of the season, with one originality this year, with a Corsican Grand Prix replacing the Italian Grand Prix. The Corsican event is scheduled to take place from 23rd to 26th September and will be followed by the Grand Prix de Marseille Métropole from 30th to 3rd October.

par Gitana

When the Grand Prix de Fécamp finished on 29th August, the « Channel – Atlantic » chapter of the 2004 circuit drew to a close, marking the start to very specific sensations of Mediterranean sailing. Ten multihulls are expected to take part in Corsica and Marseille, as Médiatis has withdrawn from both events and Gitana X capsized in Fécamp. Back into the shed in La Trinité sur Mer, Gitana X has just begun the repair programme which should last for several weeks. Gitana 11 will be competing against Sergio Tacchini, Groupama II , Géant, Foncia, Banque Populaire , Banque Covefi , Sodebo, Sopra Group and Tim Progetto Italia.

The Grand Prix de Corse, a first for the fleet of ocean-racing multihulls

For the first time in the history of 60-foot ORMA racing trimarans, the fleet will be racing in the waters off Calvi, on the Island of Beauty. What is original about this Grand Prix is that it starts off with a race round the island, instead of a forty-mile long coastal race common to the traditional Grand Prix format. On Thursday 23rd September, the 10 multihulls will therefore be starting off Calvi, for a 250 mile long race, in other words a coastal race which should take about twenty hours and include a night sail and a race mark in the Gulf of Ajaccio.

At the end of this maritime « giro » where the sporting challenge will rival with the beauty of the paysage, the competitors will have to get into the swing of the shorter windward-leeward loops in the bay. The setting for this racing will be every bit as exceptional. At the foot of a citadel completed in 1492, the bay of Calvi forms an exceptional natural theatre for nautical events, with its 6 km inlet bordered by fine sandy beaches, and with a backdrop of high mountains.

Programme – Grand Prix de Corse

Thursday 23rd September : Start of the Tour de Corse
Friday 24th September: Finish of the Tour de Corse
Saturday 25th September : 10h 30 – one or several windward-leeward loops
Sunday 26th September : 10h 30 – one or several windward-leeward loops – 17h – prize-giving.

At the end of the Grand Prix de Corse, competitors will set out for Marseille, where the Grand Prix racing will start on Friday 1st October.

Crew lists – Grand Prix de Corse

Tour de Corse – to be confirmed

1 – Fred Le Peutrec
2 – Yann Guichard
3 – Yann Marilley
4 – François Denis
5 – Fred Brousse
6 – to be confirmed

Windward-leeward loops – Corsica

1 – Frédéric Le Peutrec
2 – Baron Benjamin de Rothschild
3 – Yann Guichard
4 – Yann Marilley
5 – Yann Eliès
6 – Christophe Lassègue
7 – François Denis
8 – Jean Baptiste Epron
9 – Nicolas Berthoud
10 – Fred Brousse
11 – Xavier Dagault

Reminder : General Ranking of the last Grand Prix (Fécamp) 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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