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.

22.10.2015

Sailing double-handed or the art of hitting it off.

par Gitana

This Sunday at 12:30GMT, Sébastien Josse and Charles Caudrelier will take the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre: 5,400 nautical miles, or 10,000km, bound for Itajai in Brazil. Created in 1993, the race is contested every two years and is none other than the reference double-handed offshore event and the longest of the transatlantic races. To stand a chance of scoring a win, the twenty duos competing in the Imoca class will have to be all-rounders: capable of controlling their steed, refining their strategy, apprehending the weather to find the shortest route and of course finding the essential alchemy that works for them.

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In the Edmond de Rothschild duo,Charles Caudrelier is the co-skipper selected by Sébastien Josse to once again accompany him across the Atlantic Ocean. The two men are setting sail together for the second time, a fact that is sufficiently rare in this race that it warrants highlighting. Winner of the Solitaire du Figaro, the Volvo Ocean Race and also the double champion of the Transat Jacques Vabre, the 41-year old Breton is a mainstay of French and international offshore racing and a prime travelling companion! Just back from the Volvo Ocean Race, where he led Dongfeng Race Team onto the 3^rd step of the podium in the 2014-2015 edition, Charles Caudrelier is making the switch from crewed to double-handed configuration with ease. He shares his views on sailing as a duo.

Alternately sailing solo

“Double-handed configuration is part-time solo sailing without the drawbacks. It’s a rich experience as there is a sharing of experience and it’s also reassuring, when there are moments of doubt and tough times, that you can collate your viewpoints. In addition to the sporting and technical aspects, I really like sailing double-handed as it’s a human story, a story about a couple in fact! I couldn’t set sail with a sailor I didn’t like.”

Respect and trust

“Osmosis and understanding are essential to me for a pairing to work. In crewed configuration, you need to compromise with several people, but it is possible to get by without having a real affinity for everyone aboard. In double-handed configuration, there are just the two of us and you have to get along to go all the way together. In that regard, trust is paramount. I know that for 50% of the time, it’s Sébastien who will have my back and I’m confident about that. Knowing he’s on deck I can sleep soundly. We are humans so we do make mistakes. At some point in the race, we’ll make some, we’ll lose ground on our rivals after a poor choice of route or sail… but as a couple, you have to be able to excuse these mistakes so you can move forward.”

Staying united

“2013 was a real honeymoon period! It was our first double-handed transatlantic in a multihull and we were really happy to have the chance to discover that world and set sail on such a machine. We sailed a good race and we won it… Everything ran like clockwork. This year, the line-up is top notch and among our nineteen rivals, I reckon nearly half stand a chance of scoring a bullet. It’s sure to be a tougher ride than it was two years ago, but it’s in those moments that we’ll see if we’re a solid couple.”

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