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.

08.11.2003

Pitstop in Madeira….

Around 10h00 (French time) today, Gitana asked permission of the Transat Jacques Vabre's Race Committee to make a pitstop in Porto-Santo (Madeira) in order to repair the port side runner as early as possible (Ed. : a mobile cable which holds the mast aft).

par Gitana

Around 10h00 (French time) today, Gitana asked permission of the Transat Jacques Vabre’s Race Committee to make a pitstop in Porto-Santo (Madeira) in order to repair the port side runner as early as possible (Ed. : a mobile cable which holds the mast aft).

Yann Marilley, Gitana Team Manager explains : “the port runner must have been badly positioned on its anchorage point. It chafed throughout the night but Lionel and Marc did not realise. It broke this morning“. Just a minor hitch which does not bring the boat’s capacity into question, but which does prevent her potential being exploited to the full. A real handicap for Gitana and for Lionel Lemonchois and Marc Guessard as the mast is not supported efficiently enough for them to finish the race in optimal conditions. Positioned 257 miles (425 km) north of the island of Porto-Santo, Gitana envisages reaching the island around midday (GMT) tomorrow, Sunday. It is never easy to accept that a pitstop is necessary, particularly as at 14h00 Gmt, Gitana was lying 9th and showed the best average speed of the fleet over the past hour, 19.5 knots.

Commando operation

François Denis (alias Bambino), member of the team in charge of rigging and Zolive (Olivier Wrosczynski), Boat Master have left for Porto Santo. Yann Marilley : “So that this technical pitstop remains as short as short can be, the shore team is going to find a mooring or to put an anchor just off Porto Santo, so that Gitana will not need to enter the harbour at all. Bambino will climb the mast to replace the broken runner. Zolive will seize the opportunity to check the boat’s electronics and the engine which appears to have one or two problems with the cooling system“. An important measure as it is now known that four other boats are currently making way to Porto-Santo, namely the 60-foot multihulls Foncia, Bonduelle and Banque Populaire, to make repairs. Bernard Stamm is calling it a day on the 60-foot monohull Cheminées Poujoulat-Armor Lux, as he has broken three ribs.

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