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.

13.05.2008

On the hunt.

At 1300 hours UT, the third day at sea has just begun for the thirteen solo sailors participating in The Artemis Transat 2008. Already, the race has seen no less than six leaders: Gitana Eighty, then Brit Air, PRB, BT, Foncia and now Generali. Suffice to say that at the front of the Imoca fleet, there is very little between them and a fierce battle…

par Gitana

For over 48 hours, the manœuvres and other sail changes have been numerous aboard the 60 foot Imoca boats. It’s been a hard life for a skipper on his own making an average of over 13 knots in big seas… The conditions seem to perfectly suit the ‘young guard’ as the top trio includes Yann Eliès and Sébastien Josse.

Contacted by telephone at the start of the afternoon, Loïck Peyron looked back at his progress overnight and detailed the conditions currently encountered by Gitana Eighty: “It was a bit of a tough night, with quite a lot of wind. I performed two gybes before nightfall so as to reposition myself a little further south. We had the wind on our tail oscillating between 20 and 25 knots; it’s not the most pleasant configuration but we’re making quite good headway on Gitana Eighty. The wind is set to ease gradually however. There’s a good residual W’ly swell ahead of us, which acts as great launching pad for our steeds. It’s a fairly wet atmosphere on deck…”

The skipper of Gitana Eighty conceded that he was only just getting into his race: “For the time being I’m a bit more into a ‘round the world rhythm’ than a ‘transatlantic rhythm”, but it’ll come!” No sooner said than done, as by the 1400 hour UT ranking, Gitana Eighty was the fastest over 4 hours with an average of 15.7 knots.

The leading group has imparted a steady rhythm to the race since leaving Plymouth on Sunday. However, over the coming hours, the weather conditions will ease for the five forerunners in this Transat 2008. In fact, a transition zone, synonymous with a considerable reduction in pace, is shaping up ahead of Gitana Eighty and her rivals.

Incident aboard Safran
Last night, Marc Guillemot suffered a broach as he was coming back within sight of Gitana Eighty. As a result of the impact, the skipper of Safran suffered injury to his ribs according to information communicated by the official race site. As a result, this incident explains the current position of Marc Guillemot deep in the south, and the fact that Safran is no longer in contact with the leading group.

Six frontrunners in the 1600 UT ranking
1. Generali (Yann Eliès) 2311 miles from the finish
2. BT (Sébastien Josse) 14 miles from the leader
3. PRB (Vincent Riou) 14.2 miles back
4. Foncia (Michel Desjoyeaux) 16.3 miles back
5. Gitana Eighty (Loïck Peyron) 18 miles back
6. Brit Air (Armel Le Cléac’h) 38.5 miles back
…

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