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.

11.10.2009

Giving your all so you have nothing to regret….

par Gitana

There was a slight change of setting for the penultimate day of racing in the iShares Cup 2009. It took place beneath a hazy sky, albeit brushed by a more cooperative wind – with the exception of the last race – that the ten crews competing in Almeria were able to sail six races today. These conditions smiled on Pete Cumming’s men, leader with one day to go, as it did on Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group; the latter lying in ambush in second place. As hoped the suspense will keep us on tenterhooks right to the finish!

The final verdict of the iShares Cup 2009 will fall tomorrow evening and with this moment drawing ever closer, the tension has gone up a notch amongst the fleet of Extreme 40s. Thanks to a good day and, most notably, a fantastic victory in the final confrontation this Sunday, the one design fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild has climbed from 4^th to 2^nd place, behind a certain Oman Masirah: “Today’s been very tiring on the nerves as we set off with little wind, then it filled in only to completely drop away during the last race. These very changeable conditions require a great deal of concentration as it’s difficult to get a good sensation at the helm”.

Continuing his analysis of this second day’s racing in Andalusia, the skipper of Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group was keen to applaud the performance of Pete Cumming’s men: “Masirah was a notch above today. They sailed really well, got some good starts and so it’s only logical that they’re leading.” With a 10 point deficit this evening, Yann Guichard and his three crew are remaining positive as they know all too well that it could still all change dramatically: “We fought really hard today, which means that we’re still in the frame for outright victory. Tomorrow we’re going to have to give it our all from the very first race, which is great because that’s exactly why we came here. You can make up a ten point deficit in two races!”

This evening, the provisional ranking after today’s six races is on a par with the excitement of the event itself. Indeed, though Oman Masirah and Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group have taken a great option by respectively amassing a 21 and 11 point lead over their direct opponents, behind the battle is raging. The six trailing boats are grouped together with just an eight point separation between them! Such figures demonstrate once again that the hierarchy is fragile as there is so little in it and consequently every point is vital.

Despite what is at stake, the sailors from the Gitana Team admitted that they are keen to do things properly, continuing to sail cleanly by avoiding errors which may cost them a victory. Tomorrow though it won’t be a surprise if Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group, Masirah and Renaissance are right on each other’s tails: “To get ahead we first have to sail against ourselves, but naturally we’ll have to keep an eye on our rivals, especially those with which victory will be decided” explained Yann prior to drawing his conclusion: “There are between 6 and 8 races to be run tomorrow and there’s still everything to play for…”

Crew of Gitana Extreme – LCF Rothschild Group

Yann Guichard (skipper-helm)

Pierre Pennec (mainsail traveller trimmer, tactics), Christophe Lassegue (headsail trimmer, control of manoeuvres) and Hervé Cunningham (headsail trimmer, control of manoeuvres)

Ranking on the second day (after 10 races)

1/ Oman Sail Masirah (Pete Cumming) – 80 points

2/ Gitana Extreme- LCF Rothschild Group (Yann GUICHARD) – 70 points

3/ Luna (Erik Maris) – 59 points

4/ Groupama 40 (Franck Cammas) – 59 points

5/ Oman Sail Renaissance (Loïck Peyron) – 58 points

6/ BT (Nick Moloney) – 57 points

7/ Holmatro (Mitch Booth) – 55 points

8/iShares (Shirley Robertson) – 51 points

9/ Rumbo Almeria (Fernando Echavarri) – 31 points

10/Ecover (Mike Golding) – 27 points

Provisional championship ranking prior to the 6^th and final event

1/ Oman Sail Masirah – 43 points (4^th, 1^st, 1^st, 1^st, 5^th)

2/ Gitana Extreme- LCF Rothschild Group – 43 points (1^st, 4^th, 2^nd, 4^th, 1^st)

3/Oman Sail Renaissance – 42 points (3^rd, 3^rd, 3^rd, 2^nd, 2^nd)

4/ Groupama 40 – 33 points (5^th, 5^th, 6^th, 3^rd, 3^rd)

5/ BT – 23 points (6^th, 6^th, 4^th, 8^th, 8^th)

6/ iShares – 22 points (9^th, 7^th, 5^th, 6^th, 6^th)

7/ Holmatro – 20 points (8^th, 8^th, 8^th, 7^th, 4^th)

8/ Luna – 20 points (7^th, 9^th, 7^th, 5^th, 7^th)

9/ BMW Oracle – 18 points (2^nd, 2^nd, DNC, DNC, DNC, DNC, DNC)

10/ Ecover – 8 points (10^th, 10^th, 9^th, 10^th, 9^th)

Retourner aux articles

Heritage