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.

01.11.2022

In-depth preparations for Charles Caudrelier.

par Gitana

In less than five days, on Sunday 6 November, Charles Caudrelier will take the start of the legendary Route du Rhum. Despite a career in offshore racing spanning 20 years, which has been as diverse as it has varied, coloured by some prestigious victories, whether it be in singlehanded or crewed format, in monohull or in multihull, the native of Beg-Meil in Brittany will be participating in his very first transatlantic race between Saint Malo and Pointe-à-Pitre. As such, he will be a rookie in the very closed circle of maxi-trimaran skippers flying Ultims! For this major meet, which he describes as a lifelong dream, nothing has been left to chance. In addition to the fine-tuning of the 32-metre giant fitted out by Ariane de Rothschild and the crucial solo sailing passages offshore, which have punctuated his season, Charles has surrounded himself with experts to hone his preparation. These include a physical and mental coach, a sleep specialist… as well as a top-level athlete with a rather special profile. Arnaud Jerald, a prodigy in the domain of freediving, a reigning recordholder and a World Champion in the discipline several times over, is supporting the sailor from Gitana Team in his quest for the holy grail.

A unique approach to sports preparation

Offshore of Beg-Meil, the Glénan archipelago is one of Charles Caudrelier’s favourite playgrounds. Though it is on the water that he excels on the racetrack, it is underwater and in freediving that he seeks escapism. His passion for this lesser-known discipline has given him the chance to meet up with Arnaud Jerald, a young world champion freediver, who is constantly surprising his fellow athletes and setting new records during his attempts: -120 metres with bi-fins last August(!) plus, more recently, -123 metres with a monofin during the world championships a few weeks ago in Turkey.

More than a simple encounter it has been a meeting of minds and an exchanging of experience between top-level athletes, with the collaboration between Charles Caudrelier and Arnaud Jerald playing an integral part of the sailor’s preparation for the Route du Rhum. The objective is to offer support to boost performance, as well as provide physical and mental coaching over the long term.

Tailored coaching

Armed with his experience and thanks to the techniques he’s managed to develop and acquire though his discipline, Arnaud has been giving Charles valuable assistance with improving his physical (breathing and accelerating recovery during and after exertion) and mental capabilities (stress and sleep management…). During the various training sessions shared by the two athletes this year between Nice and Lorient, the freediver turned coach has introduced a protocol so that the skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild can utilise what he has learned in the race. With these now automatic reflexes, Charles Caudrelier will be able to envision himself in a positive sphere once he’s alone on the racetrack for the major meeting of the 2022 season: the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe!

Charles Caudrelier, skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild: “I’m a big fan of freediving. As such, I admit that initially I was especially delighted to be able to meet a champion like Arnaud. Very quickly though, during our first discussions, I understood that there was going to be lot more to it. I’ve learned a great deal alongside him this year. Indeed, though the primary quality of a freediver is naturally their breathing, they also have to demonstrate a perfect aptitude to relax whilst exerting themselves in order to perform well. We’ve worked a great deal on that, and I’m convinced that these lessons will be priceless in the Atlantic sprint that awaits me in the next few days. The race promises to be full-on physically, but it will also be my ability to rest no matter what I have to face and to handle the pressure, which will doubtless make all the difference at the finish!”

Arnaud Jerald // Born on 27 February 1996 in Marseille

o World Champion -123m with a monofin
o New World Record holder -120m CWTB
o World record -117m CWTB
o World record 2021 -116m then -117 CWTB
o World record 2020 -112m CWTB
o World record 2019 -108m CWTB
o Silver medal at the World Championships 2018 CWTB
o Bronze medal at the World Championships aux 2019 CWT
o Gold medal at the World Championships 2019 CWTB
o Gold medal at the French Championships 2017 CWTB
o Bronze medal at the European Championships 2017 CWTB
o Silver medal in the Nice Abyss Contest 2019 CWT
o Silver medal in the Nice Abyss Contest 2017 CWT
o 7 x national records CWTB (-83m, -92m, -102m, -108m, -112m, -116m, -117m)