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.

06.11.2005

Off to windy start.

A windy start indeed with 26 knots of S/SW wind at 15h00 today – one hour later Frédéric Le Peutrec and Yann Guichard leading the fleet, with Gitana X 9th ahead of Banque Populaire.

par Gitana

A windy start indeed with 26 knots of S/SW wind at 15h00 today – one hour later Frédéric Le Peutrec and Yann Guichard leading the fleet, with Gitana X 9th ahead of Banque Populaire.

The ten strong ORMA trimaran fleet will have a rough ride out of the English Channel for the start to this Jacques Vabre 2005 yacht race. The fleet set out towards Cotentin peninsula where a cold front will kick up winds of more than 40 knots ! Just after crossing the starting line, the multihulls were already topping speeds of more than 32 knots !

All fired up and ready to go, no choice but to get on with it. The trimarans are being « de-channeled », squeezed out of the funnel between France and England. Effects of the tide are still strong, the waves are powerful, breezes fickle to say the least as squalls pass overhead, not to mention the danger represented by the coast, shipping and fishing vessels. And the opponents of course. Keeping watch is essential. The whole fleet is experiencing a sea state which will continue to worsen as the two-handed crews sail down to Brittany. It is wet out there and the guys are being shaken about. Lots to keep them busy too with manoeuvres necessary to make sure they are correctly canvassed, winds changing from 25-30 knots to more than 40 knots. One reef in the main, then two, a staysail up front then a jib for stronger wind. Thierry Duprey du Vorsent & Erwan Le Roux (Gitana X) and Frédéric Le Peutrec & Yann Guichard (Gitana 11) need to be in great shape – the first miles are so important. Not only psychologically to be well-positioned in and up with the leaders, but also from a tactical point of view. Weather forecasts could not be clearer the leaders will always be advantaged and their advantage will continue to develop favourably as they will shake themselves free of tricky situations that much earlier than those further downfield. The accordion effect will be making itself felt over the first few days and is not set to change until the fleet reaches the Canary Islands, or perhaps not before the Doldrums…

Weather

Following the first blow off Cherbourg in a wind increasing to more than 35 knots, the trimarans will have to cope with a shift West, decreasing never the less to 15-20 knots. For the time being the choice boils down to either heading NW to Land’s End or hugging the coast of Brittany and being sheltered from the rough seas also sticking to a direct course. First dilemma, first option in the approach to the Atlantic for dayrise on Monday. Once that is over and done with, a new low will force the sailors into having to make yet another strategical choice – head west to try and get ahead of the perturbation and be the first to latch onto the rotation of the wind NW, or dive south for less wind, less sea and stay closer to the direct course down to Cape Finisterre. And between either extreme, there are a whole range of possibilities down to Madeira…

Rankings at 16H00 :

Gitana 11 – Frédéric Le Peutrec / Yann Guichard
Foncia – Armel Le Cleac’h / Damian Foxall
Géant – Michel Desjoyeaux / Hugues Destremeau
Groupama 2 – Franck Cammas / Franck Proffit
Tim – Giovanni Soldini / Vittorio Malingri
Sodebo – Thomas Coville / Jacques Vincent
Brossard – Yvan Brossard / Charles Caudrelier
Orange Project – Stève Ravussin / Yvan Ravussin
Gitana X – Thierry Duprey du Vorsent / Erwan Le Roux
Banque Populaire – Pascal Bidégorry / Lionel Lemonchois

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