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.

26.01.2008

In the arms of Morpheus.

par Gitana

Saturday, 2:45 UT. “It’s time, maneuver coming.” From a sort of deep coma, it takes a few long seconds to reconnect the system that allows you to understand this short sentence spoken by one of the men on stand-by. When woken like that, it means that you have the standard 15 minutes to haul yourself out of your bunk and put on clothes appropriate for the season in order to be ready for any eventuality. But when you then hear “Maneuver coming,” that means you’ve got to get a move on. Up on deck, the watch leader has held off the necessary sail change as long as possible so that we could all be together to do it faster. But impatience mounts, and, barely out, you see that the “coffee grinder” is beckoning. Waking up—be it in the morning or otherwise—can be qualified without a doubt as a bracing experience! If you need more attention, a hot drink or time to stretch, you picked the wrong sport…you should’ve played football.

This morning, the small gennaker was selected to accompany the descending moon. Not the first time…over the past 24 hours, there was a constant back-and-forth among the sails to see which would have the honor of flying. Why? Shifty trade winds, and squalls that, if not overly violent, have a knack for breaking up the general wind pattern—the famous synoptic wind. In a breeze averaging 10 knots and the sun occasionally obscured by short bursts of rains, the crew was kept busy with sail changes in response to the fluctuating wind. On top of that, a 400-mile day. Today, with the first change of tack since we started expected toward the middle of the day, we will probably do even fewer miles. We probably won’t be able to get back up to speeds we reached early in the trip until Sunday evening.

Good night

Nicolas Raynaud

PAPPY GOES TO WAR

It all began like a lottery game. Our dear skipper and nonetheless friend Lionel sent the whole Gitana team a list of highly exotic destinations to choose from. As a gambler and inveterate traveler, I checked all the boxes. A few days later, the list was sent back to me stamped “approved.” Intrigued, I turned the card over and read the rules of this bizarre game…Oh Heavens! I had just signed up for a 10-month stint on Gitana 13.

I, who due to my ripe old age had sworn never to sail again on these overpowered flying machines, was betrayed by my nonchalance.
Why does he want me onboard?
For my muscles?
For my deft sail trimming?
For my touch at the helm?
For my keen navigator’s eye?
I doubt it. More likely out of simple friendship or to get me out into the fresh air…and maybe for my skills as a handyman, useful on these long voyages.

Stay tuned for more…

Zolive.

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