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.

31.05.2004

Rainy start off Plymouth.

A thick tenacious drizzle marked the start of The Transat which kicked off at 15h00 French time today in a 20-knot (force 5) breeze and a slightly choppy sea. Marc Guillemot took an excellent start just behind Michel Desjoyeaux, whereas Fred Le Peutrec kept pace a few lengths behind.

par Gitana

A fanfare start

The Gitana Team ² set out at more than 25 knots, bang on time over the starting line, with Marc crossing the start just a few seconds behind Michel Desjoyeaux on Géant the first boat across, with Fred’s Gitana 11 off his stern. A few moments later, Gitana X rapidly took the lead of the fleet as Marc had decided to put up all the canvas he had on his trimaran, with one reef in the main and a big staysail up, whereas his fellow racers were more conservative for the first few hours, with two reefs in the main and a small staysail. Some just had a small jib up front – Fred Le Peutrec, for example, determined to make sure that his steed had hold the distance.

Unfortunately, Gitana X misinterpreted the position of the starting line. The orange buoy at the end of the line was hardly visible in the choppy waters on the start with waves one metre high, which means that Marc found himself beyond the line. At a time when he was leading the multihull fleet, the Race Committee immediately informed him of the penalty to be paid – a 40 minute wait at the Eddystone Lighthouse, 8 miles from Plymouth. Banque Covefi was therefore declared winner of the small course from the start to Eddystone. Gitana 11 was very much at ease in rough weather and appeared in the top five as the fleet passed this race mark.

The trimarans could then free off the sheets and accelerate at more than 20 knots on a long tack down to Land’s End, the western tip England which they passed at the end of the afternoon. The weather was still manageable around 17h00 with a south-easterly 20-knot (force 5) wind conditions still every bit as damp as before !

The other competitors

Before the starting shot was fired, Yves Parlier (Médiatis Région Aquitaine) was forced to return to base to carry out speedy repairs to his automatic pilots but soon got underway again, being a little bit late off the start. Not so speedy was Alain Gautier (Foncia) who also turned tail for Plymouth to re-solder his broken steering quadrant and set out once again one and a half hours later. In the 50-foot multi fleet, veteran Mike Birch (72 years old) also had to make for start base to sort out problems with his pilot, as did the American entrant as he had a broken mainsail halyard.

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