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.

« We will be setting out on the delivery passage to Calvi on Saturday 11th September. To prepare the last two Grand Prix events, we have done some preparatory work but nothing that extensive as Gitana 11 is ship shape and Bristol fashion, ready for the next two events.

par Gitana

ITV with Fred Le Peutrec

We have put our delivery sails on board, fitted two rest bunks for crew and changed the configuration of the boat’s computer. Not that much in fact. Depending on the wind, it should take us a little under a week to sail down to Corsica. As we have not had that much time to train after the Grand Prix de Fécamp, instructions were for each and everyone to keep themselves fighting fit to be in tiptop condition for the two Mediterranean races taking place over a two week period. As soon as we arrive, we will be getting the boat into her Grand Prix configuration, which basically involves removing the bunks, and changing the delivery sails for ocean racing sails for the Tour de Corse, which we will be changing once again for the Grand Prix sails for Saturday morning. That means that our shore crew – Jean, Laurent, William and Jean Pierre – have to take a fair bit of gear down and allow for lots of handling and adjustments.

From a sporting angle, the Grand Prix de Fécamp showed that we have improved as we finished 3rd, two points behind the winner Sergio Tacchini, the same number of points as Groupama, classified 2nd thanks to her bonus from her having won three rounds. With this sort of result, we are now among the favourites on the circuit. The status emphasises the work which the whole of the Gitana Team has put in since the start of the season, ashore and at sea.

I am not unfamiliar with sailing in the Mediterranean, as I have twice raced round Corsica in a sports catamaran. As for the weather, everything is possible. We know the traditional windy spots – Cape Corse and its opposite, Bonifacio. But it is of course quite possible that we encounter a whole range of wind conditions common in the Mediterranean. Flat, calm seas, thermal winds in a bay, slight breeze and choppy surface. All of which can sometimes change – often without any warning – to a 30-knot Mistral with gusts of up to 40 or 50 knots in storms on a steaming sea. At this time of year, over a three-day period of racing, there can be a great number of changes in rhythm. We shall have to be particularly careful in the way we handle Gitana 11.

As for the crew, our performance in Fécamp has put us into a positive frame of mind with regard to the role played by each crew member. A fine team performance as Fécamp was just our 2nd Grand Prix together. After having come a cropper in the Québec Saint Malo race in mid-July, we were unable to fulfil the training programme we had originally planned to follow as Gitana 11 spent almost one month in the shed this summer.

In Fécamp, Gitana 11 really stood apart from the 4th competitor Géant, and her chasers who never represented a true threat. The latest Grand Prix in the Channel was played out with our two direct opponents – the new Groupama and Sergio Tacchini which we come very close to in terms of speed potential. In our next two meetings, we are spurred on by our wish to pit ourselves against the best of the ORMA 2004 line-up and are aiming to make it to the podium in the two remaining Grand Prix. Why not the number one slot ? »

Retourner aux articles

Heritage