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.

17.06.2005

Nail-bitingly calm.

La Giraglia was not tender on the Gitana Team. Light air played into the hands of the boats who were in the lead after passing the rock, giving rise to large gaps. Only Gitana X managed to close in on the Italian trimaran.

par Gitana

At the start off Saint Tropez in a light 8-12 knot westerly breeze which increased to 15-17 knots close to La Nioulargue, the wind was conspicuous by its absence in the 53rd run of La Giraglia race. Even before night fall, wind speed did not exceed 5 knots, barely increasing (to 8 knots) for an hour or so as the fleet passed Cape Corsica on Thursday morning.
A thirty hour long haul during which both Gitana boats found themselves going nowhere fast, stuck in wind holes a little longer than their opponents. There were windless zones all over the course. By the time the fleet reached the Rock of La Giraglia, major gaps had been driven between its members. Groupama-2 was first to reach that mark at 5h50 on Thursday morning, followed ten minutes later by Géant, 50 minutes later by Foncia, at which time there was already a three hour gap between the leader by the time Banque Populaire and TIM-Progetto Italia arrived in the zone – and more than four hours by the time the Gitana boats reached the Rock, within 20 seconds of one another.
After a course covering 243 nautical miles, Franck Cammas was first to reach Genoa, a hair’s breadth ahead of Armel Le Cléac’h who has run a fine race, followed by Michel Desjoyeaux. Thierry Duprey du Vorsent managed to sneak back a few miles in the Gulf of Genoa pipping Italian Giovanni Soldini and Frédéric Le Peutrec at the post. Provisional rankings for the ORMA Multihull Championship demonstrate a certain degree of stability on the podium, but also mark a clear return for Franck Cammas, now one and a half points ahead of Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, and one point behind Armel Le Cléac’h. Make a note in your diary for next Friday – the Grand Prix de Marseille-Métropole.

Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) :

« This was a rather special race. Not much wind to talk of ! There were enormous areas of calm on the first night with light gusts which seemed to come in from nowhere. We were alongside Groupama-2 and ahead of Banque Populaire, Géant and Foncia but they managed to pull away without us seeing as the whole monohull fleet was there too. We found ourselves at a standstill at La Giraglia, rounding the Rock just behind Gitana X. We hugged the shore and closed in on the Italians, even managing to overtake them but in the end, we fell into a wind hole and they glided ahead almost on inertia alone. It was ridiculous ! »

Rankings – La Giraglia Rolex Cup :

1- Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) in 25h 33′ 47”
2- Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia) in 25h 44′ 45”
3- Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) in 25h 58′ 59”
4- Pascal Bidegorry (Banque Populaire) in 28h 33′ 10”
5- Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X) in 31h 34′ 40”
6- Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Progetto Italia) in 31h 51′ 32”
7- Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) in 31h 53′ 04”

Provisional Rankings – ORMA Multihull Championship:

After the IB Group Challenge (weighting factor 3), the Grand Prix de Corse (weighting factor 1) and La Giraglia Rolex Cup (weighting factor 0.5) :

1-Pascal Bidegorry (Banque Populaire) 5 points (0+3+2)
2-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) 11.5 points (6+4+1,5)
3-Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) 14.5 points (9+2+3,5)
4-Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia) 20 points (12+7+1)
5-Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) 21 points (21+0+0)
6-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X) 22.5 points (15+5+2,5)
7-Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Progetto Italia) 60 points (51+6+3)
8ex-Thomas Coville (Sodebo) 78 points (51+18+9)
8ex-Yvan Bourgnon (Brossard) 78 points (51+18+9)

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