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.

28.08.2003

Peace of mind rediscovered ….

For the last Grand Prix of the ORMA 60 foot Multihull Association Championship 2003 season to be held in Fécamp (French Channel coast), the Gitana Team is in a peaceful state of mind after a few rather frustrating months due to the boat's lacklustre performance.

par Gitana

This year amazing blue and yellow trimaran has spent more time undergoing changes in the shed that out on the water. A disappointing fact for her owner and member of the sail team Benjamin de Rothschild, her skipper Lionel Lemonchois and the whole of the closely-knit team, which continues to work hard to perfect their steed. Uppermost in everyone’s mind is the last confrontation of the season, the two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre, which will start out of Le Havre (France), on 2nd November.

A finely-tuned team

Lionel Lemonchois : “Always on the lookout for ways to lighten Gitana, at the start of the month we did away with the antenna support and the bumpkins aft (carbon tubes used to support gennaker/big balloon jib trimming), whilst waiting to take off the cockpit ears to be able to bring the headsail tacks in for the Jacques Vabre. The submerged parts of the hull (underside part of the central hull and floats) have been entirely sanded down and repainted, the dagger board’s trailing edge redone and its rotation system has been changed slightly. We’re approaching the Grand Prix de Fécamp with a boat which is well optimised and perfectly well-prepared. As for the crew, even if there is still room for improvement, we are becoming increasingly familiar with Gitana’s reactions. So we’re operational, which gives me greater peace of mind and makes me more efficient at the helm. Just the way it should be to attack a Grand Prix in a peaceful frame of mind !”.

Maximum concentration

As for Marc Guessard, the boat’s navigator and Lionel’s future co-skipper on the Transat Jacques Vabre emphasises : “We have sailed so little that every day counts in our task of acquiring data. This Grand Prix will be twice as important for the 11 crew. We’re going to have to be tough, and fight hard to achieve a result, bearing in mind the aim of collecting all the information Lionel and I need to have for the two-handed Transatlantic race. Team Gitana’s team spirit is going to be called upon for the three days.”

So Gitana have got their heads down for the Grand Prix de Fécamp being raced from Firday 29th to Sunday 31st August.

A good show in perspective

On the weather front, it is looking highly likely that the 12 multihulls entered in the Grand Prix de Fécamp are going to be shaken up by north-north-easterly winds accompanying a small low. Rough conditions at the beginning of the event, which is favourable to Gitana who is more at ease in a bit of a blow than in light air. Once again, we are in for quite a spectacle put on by the Formula 1 of the seas.

Gitana’s crew for the Grand Prix de Fécamp

Not much change in the crew composition for this last crewed event of the season. Eleven guys, including three Swiss who are perfectly au fait with handling high-tech 60-foot multihulls. Only Sébastien Josse (winner of the Grand Prix de Fécamp 2002 on Belgacom – currently preparing VMI, a 60-foot monohull, for the Vendée Globe) will be playing at the trapeze artist on Gitana’s foredeck, replacing François Denis, who is unavailable.

Crew. Skipper : Lionel Lemonchois (F) – Performer : Benjamin de Rothschild – Tactician : Philippe Durr (CH) – Navigator : Marc Guessard (F) – Main Sail : Nicolas Berthoud (CH) – Runner : Jean Baptiste Epron (F) – Runner : Yann Marilley (F) – Grinder : Thierry Barot (F) – Mainsail Trimmer : Olivier Wroczynski (F) – Pit : Nicolas Engel (CH) – N°1 / Bowman : Sébastien Josse (F)

All about the Grand Prix :
www.multis-online.com

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