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.

20.07.2004

Last sea miles.

Checked in at fifty or so miles from the finish, Gitana X is expected into Saint Malo at the end of the evening and is still struggling for the 8th place in the overall rankings. A few miles ahead, Sopra Group and Banque Covefi were also having trouble making headway in the light air which have been plaguing the English Channel since yesterday and…

par Gitana

So there are still a few hours to wait before Marc Guillemot and his crew can close the chapter of this sixth Québec-Saint Malo yacht race. Just like the four other multis still racing, Gitana X is in a wind hole which extends as far as the finishing line. With the falling tide and no settled wind, the end of the race can seem never-ending. In any event, Gitana X will have made an excellent comeback on the peloton as she has made up 250 miles in two days on Banque Populaire, expected in around 19h in 7th position !

On board Gitana X

« The Tacchini crew is savouring its win and the followers analyse their race in the Cafés of Saint Malo : -“If we’d tacked earlier you know, when the wind picked up from 5 to 25 knots and we were a bit out of it, we’d certainly have been alongside Tacchini. She only came in 12 miles ahead of us…
Never mind! Everyone know that each race gives us food for thought. As for Gitana X, we’re not at that stage yet. We saw the legendary Fastnet Rock lighthouse on Monday at 15h48 and five minutes later Karine and her crew crossed the finishing line in Saint Malo, 350 miles ahead.

We can probably safely say that we will be crossing the finishing line at around 20h00 on Tuesday 20th July. The crew believes they have given it all they had and that they couldn’t have sailed a better race. We’ll talk about this after the finish, after our last taste of seawater… » Marc Guillemot

Meanwhile Gitana 11 arrived in La Forêt –Fouesnant, Southern Finistère, at 14h00. The boat will be hauled out by crane tomorrow evening, where she will undergo a more detailed diagnosis for the list of work to be carried out to get her ship-shape and Bristol fashion, ready to take part in the Grand Prix de Fécamp.

Saint Malo finishers

1-Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini) Modnay 19th July at 15h 50′ 54”, in 7 days 21 hours 00 minutes 54 seconds, at an average speed of 15.36 knots on the orthodromic route
2-Franck Cammas (Groupama) in 7d 21h 59′ 02” – 58′ 08 from the winner
3-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) in 7d 22h 01′ 49” – 1h 00′ 55
4-Thomas Coville (Sodebo) in 7d 22h 10′ 42” – 1h 09′ 48
5-Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Progetto Italia) in 7d 23h 15′ 35” – 2h 14′ 41
6-Alain Gautier (Foncia) in 8d 01h 29′ 57” – 4h 29′ 03

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