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.

18.10.2002

Gitana X to run !.

The 60 skippers entered in the 7th edition of the finest transatlantic yacht race were presented officially at a press conference on 10th October in Paris. Lionel Lemonchois, Gitana X's skipper, accompanied by Olivier Besse (Project Manager) and Yann Marilley (Team Manager), confirmed his participation together with the 18 other 60-foot trimarans i…

par Gitana

The 60 skippers entered in the 7th edition of the finest transatlantic yacht race were presented officially at a press conference on 10th October in Paris. Lionel Lemonchois, Gitana X’s skipper, accompanied by Olivier Besse (Project Manager) and Yann Marilley (Team Manager), confirmed his participation together with the 18 other 60-foot trimarans in his class.

A first for this event – never before have so many boats entered an ORMA Ocean-racing Multihull event with eight new boats arriving on the scene this year (including Gitana X). Among the competitors, all the big names of the discipline are going to be there, including Loïck Peyron, Jean-Luc Nélias, Alain Gautier, Franck Cammas and Michel Desjoyeaux. There is no doubt that the battle in the event’s crowning category will be fought tooth and nail. Lionel Lemonchois : “As I have sailed with or against several of the others, I know that the level is going to be very high indeed. The most difficult thing of all, will be keeping up with the pace of the big guys who have clearly got a lot more experience than I have and some of them know their trimaran inside out. I’ll have to strike the right balance between the performance capacities of Gitana X and those of her skipper. But in any event, I’m going to attack. I am extremely motivated”.

J-23

The Gitana Team have got just three weeks left to perfect the preparation of Gitana X before the starting shot is fired on 10th November. Right now, the whole team is working on the final details and Gitana X has just returned from a new two-handed 36-hour training session. Olivier Wroczynski, boat master : “Although there were two of us on board, cross my heart, I didn’t touch a thing. I was just there to check that everything works properly, mainly the electronics, computers and automatic helm. But I also drew up technical checklists for Lionel to help him react quickly on board or with my help from ashore. Apart from the rain and lack of wind on the way back, the boat is ship shape”.

Final preparations

Since last Saturday, Gitana has been hauled out in her technical base, the Multipôle 56, for a thorough check-up of the whole boat, particularly the underwater part of the hull and appendages (helm, dagger board, foils) and for a few improvements to the rig (mast). As for the rest (sails, chandlery, etc.), everything is ready. Yann Marilley : “The whole team has been giving it all they’ve got over the last few days so that Gitana will be ready. There are just one or two details to sort out. We’re doing all we can to get up to Saint-Malo as soon as possible so that we are not dependent upon the weather or subjected to the slightest damage. But also so that Lionel can remain serene”.

In accordance with the race rules, Gitana X has to be in Saint-Malo no later than 1st November. Gitana Team has already worked out the boat’s arrival in the start town and the logistics. The support boat and workshop container will be leaving at the end of next week.

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