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.

09.11.2007

News from the front.

Gitana Eighty is currently sailing in 12 to 18 knots of wind, mainsail & large spinnaker up, and has been within view of the trimaran Foncia for twenty hours now. Safran is still ahead among the fleet of monohulls, but her lead is being whittled away under pressure from the “other two musketeers”, Peyron and Desjoyeaux!

par Gitana

This leading trio are now less than 20 miles apart. Loïck Peyron and Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant, onboard Gitana Eighty, should pass the Canaries at the end of the day.

Still in third spot among the multihulls, Gitana 11 has been flying since leaving the Canaries at 17:30 yesterday. On board, Lionel Lemonchois and Yann Guichard are going all out to make up for the time they lost on this unavoidable stop. This morning, they are travelling at 27 knots, the maximum polar speed (technical routing term used to indicate the boat’s level of performance in relation to a given weather situation and route).

Loïck Peyron, at 10:00 this morning: “We’re spending a lot of time at the helm as we’re heavily sailed in irregular winds. It’s safer than putting on the automatic pilot, but also a lot more tiring. It’s not easy to sail when it’s pitch black… there was no moon last night! Everything’s ok on board, we’ve recovered well and it’s a pleasure to be sailing with my mate Desjoyeaux! Passing the Canaries will be a crucial and we need to prepare ourselves in order to negotiate it as well as possible. We’re like the three musketeers: it’s hard to say at the moment whether it will be Athos, Portos or Aramis who’ll be first to save the queen!”

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