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.

07.11.2019

Leading, with the first drone images!.

par Gitana

At dawn on the 3rd day of racing, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild took control of the fleet in the Brest Atlantiques by triggering the first gybe southwards a few hours earlier. Indeed, after less than 48 hours at sea, the 32-metre giants have already passed the latitude of Madeira and are dashing towards the equator. Since the start, aboard the latest addition to the Gitana fleet the two sailors have spared no effort in the bid to exploit the potential of their steed and the unstable conditions encountered over recent hours are not making things any easier. At the 07:00 UTC ranking, Charles Caudrelier and Franck Cammas had logically gained an edge due to their heading and had amassed a lead of 88 miles over Macif and 102 miles over Sodebo Ultim, who hadn’t yet set a course for the South.

Drone alert

The battle is also raging among the media men! Despite the Dantean conditions in the Bay of Biscay which scooped up the Ultim fleet in the opening hours, the four onboard reporters have shared some quite incredible moments with us. However, this morning, Yann Riou was the first of them to treat us to some aerial footage filmed from a drone flown from aboard the boat. We’ll leave you to admire the artist’s work!

Watch the video

Ranking on Thursday 7 November at 8:00 UTC

1- MAXI EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD (Franck Cammas / Charles Caudrelier / Yann Riou) – distance to the goal: 12,535.3 miles – average speed over the past 30 mins: 18,2 knots

2- MACIF (François Gabart / Gwenolé Gahinet / Jérémie Eloi) – 88,4 miles behind the leader – average speed over the past 30 mins: 31,2 knots

3- SODEBO ULTIM 3 (Thomas Coville / Jean-Luc Nelias / Martin Keruzoré) – 102,5 miles behind the leader – average speed over the past 30 mins: 29.2 knots

4- ACTUAL LEADER (Yves Le Blevec / Alex Pella / Ronan Gladu) – 183,2 miles behind the leader – average speed over the past 30 mins: 23,5 knots

Retourner aux articles

Heritage