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.

10.09.2006

In a gentle breeze….

On this last day of the final Grand Prix of the Cafe Ambassador Multi Cup 2006, the trimarans completed two rounds. The increasingly light breeze out on the water did Gitana 11 no favours, but she still managed to put in a fine performance at Fecamp. In claiming second place on the podium, Loick Peyron has also proven to be the only challenger to t…

par Gitana

At the start of the day, Gitana 11 was a mere two points behind Groupama-2 and Gitana 12 had a 3-point lead over Geant. So there was everything still to play for, that is, until the weather intervened! For it has become apparent that Gitana 11 is a lot more at home in heavy weather, where Franck Cammas’s domination is a lot less glaring. But with the very light breeze that prevailed over the course today, Loick Peyron, who nonetheless made an excellent start and pulled off a fine tactical coup on the first round of the day, could only stand back and admire as the official 2006 Multi Cup champions strutted his stuff! Groupama-2 was denied victory only on the day’s second round, which saw Geant cross the line in front… It amounted to a fine way to sign off for Michel Desjoyeaux, who was making his last multihull run today!

This win also enabled Michel Desjoyeaux to pip Gitana 12 to third place in the general ranking. Thierry Duprey du Vorsent’s crew consequently finish fourth, but the gap between them and Geant could not be more marginal.

Loick Peyron, skipper of Gitana 11:

“It’s been a really interesting Grand Prix with highly varied conditions. The pecking order has remained intact, with Groupama-2 extremely comfortable and difficult to combat but we have also shown that she’s not unbeatable! This season has been really hectic and exciting for me and all the team. The crews have shown real motivation. I have to say that we’re really lucky to have the chance to sail on these incredible vessels and we owe that to the owner Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, who I would once again like to thank for that and for all the energy he injects! Where Gitana 12’s concerned, she may be a touch off the pace still, but progress is being made and they should never lose heart! That’s what we asked of them for their first season!”

Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, skipper of Gitana 12:

“I’m a bit disappointed as I’d really been hopeful of finishing 3rd! But I’m satisfied in spite of all that as the results for the season as a whole show we’ve come a long way. We lack a bit of consistency but where the crew’s concerned, the right reflexes are beginning to develop. Gitana 12 is a very good boat and, little by little, we’ve been learning how best to handle her.”

Provisional general ranking over the seven rounds of the Grand Prix du Port de Fecamp :

1- Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) 1st+2nd+DNF+1st+1st+1st+2nd = 35 points
2- Loick Peyron (Gitana 11) DSQ+1st+1st+2nd+2nd+2nd+3rd = 31 points
3- Michel Desjoyeaux (Geant) DSQ+3rd+2nd+3rd+4th+3rd+1st = 26 points
4- Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana 12) 2nd+4th+3rd+4th+3rd+4th+4th = 25 points

Final ranking of the Multi Cup Cafe Ambassador 2006
After the race course Londres-Alpes Maritimes (coefficient 2), the Trophée du Conseil Général des Alpes Maritimes (coefficient 0,5), the Trapani Grand Prix (coefficient 1), the Grand Prix de Marseille (coefficient 1), the Grand Prix du Portugal-Portimao (coefficient 1) and the Grand Prix du port de Fécamp (coefficient 1) :

1-Groupama 2 (1er+1er+1er+1er+1er+1er) 32,5 points
2-Géant (3ème+2ème+2ème+2ème+3ème+3ème) 22 points
3-Gitana 11 (4ème+3ème+3ème+3ème+2ème+2ème) 19,5 points
4-Banque Populaire IV (2ème+4ème+DNC+DNC+DNC+DNC) 13 points
5-Gitana 12 (5ème+5ème+DNC+4ème+4ème+4ème) 9,5 points

2006 Gitana 11 crew :

Loïck Peyron, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, Frédéric Le Peutrec, Yann Guichard, Lionel Lemonchois, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant, Frédéric Guilmin, Jean-Baptiste Epron, Daniel Souben, Ronan Le Goff, François Denis, Christophe Lassègue, Antoine Mermod, Alexandre Quiblier, Cyril Dardashti, William Fabulet.

2006 Gitana 12 crew :

Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, Erwan Le Roux, Mayeul Riffet, Nicolas Raynaud, Mathieu Tatibouët, Arnaud Derrendinger, Léopold Lucet, Antoine Carpentier, Alexandre Marmorat , Fabrice Blondel, Yann Le Govic, Pierre Pennec, Pierre Boursier, Richard Loncle.

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