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.

07.05.2011

New reference time around Belle-Île for Gitana 11.

par Gitana

The maxi-trimaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild took part in the fourth edition of the Tour de Belle-Île this Saturday 7 May. Setting off in the bay of Quiberon and circumnavigating Belle-Île to port, this annual race gathered together small and large craft on the same course and thus enabled professionals and amateurs alike to share the same race start. Gitana 11, with her 77 feet was the largest boat to set off this morning among the 485 competitors in the running this year, which is the biggest line-up so far. Logically then, Sébastien Josse and his five crew were the first to cross the finish line just a stone’s throw from Teignouse, with a new reference time for the event into the bargain. The men of Gitana Team completed the 41 nautical mile course in 2 hours 42 minutes, thus improving on the time of the previous record holder by thirty minutes.

The bay of Quiberon served up rather windy conditions for the 2011 edition of the Tour de Belle-Île. It was in a SE’ly wind kicking out 25 knots of breeze and heavy seas that the race committee set the 485 racers going shortly after 1030 GMT this Saturday. There were also a number of stormy squalls rolling through to further spice up proceedings. The resulting spectacle was stunning but it was important for the crews to focus on being vigilant: “Nearly 500 boats on the same start line makes things pretty busy! It was full-on, especially with the wind and sea conditions. We were particularly attentive during the start phase as Gitana 11 was a lot faster than the majority of the fleet.”

For his first race as skipper of Gitana, Sébastien Josse opted to sail with Sébastien Thétiot and David Boileau, the préparateur-sailors from Gitana 11, Florent Chastel, as bowman, Antoine Koch, doing the navigation and Jean-Baptiste Epron on the manœuvres. The skipper of the future MOD 70 Edmond de Rothschild Group gave us his initial impressions on his return to the port of La Trinité-sur-Mer: “This Tour de Belle-Île was my baptism of fire aboard Gitana 11 in race mode. It was a lively introduction but it was perfect for getting my teeth into things and straightaway getting the measure of the boat. I’ve yet to find my automatic reflexes at the helm. I’m in training mode on this craft as I await delivery of the MOD 70 Edmond de Rothschild Group scheduled at the end of October, and I was keen to take it calmly, especially as the crew gathered together for the occasion were sailing as one for the first time. With this in mind, we decided not to unfurl the gennaker (big offwind headsail) if the wind was in excess of 24 knots. I’m really enjoying finding my way around Gitana 11 as it’s a fantastic trimaran.” This discovery phase that Sébastien Josse is referring to didn’t prevent Gitana 11 demonstrating part of her potential though and the crew enjoyed some fine peaks of speed above 30 knots.

By completing the 41 mile course in a time of 2 hours and 42 minutes, the 77 foot maxi-trimaran has deposed the previous event record holder, the trimaran Actual, which took the event record last year with a circuit time of 3 hours and 24 minutes. “The Multi 50s were right on our tails, but there’s nothing surprising about that. Behind us were crews who were broken in to the exercise on steeds they were very familiar with, helmed by skippers who, in the most part, had already competed in transatlantic races at the helm of their boats. These are references and they were a good source of pressure for the Gitana Team and it was good knowing they were hot on our heels” concluded Sébastien Josse.

From Monday, Gitana 11 will head offshore again for some further training sessions as she awaits the next races on the maxi-trimaran’s programme, namely the ArMen Race, the start of which is scheduled for 2 June, as well as the Record SNSM, for which she is the current record holder, in mid June.

Retourner aux articles

Heritage