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.

21.07.2005

Spanish explanations.

As the trimarans were getting ready to sail off for Brittany after the Grand Prix de Galice and being occupied with public relations, Frédéric Le Peutrec and Thierry Duprey du Vorsent look back over the six rounds raced in Vigo this weekend.

par Gitana

Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X) :

« The Grand Prix de Galice was not easy! Wind was rather light in Vigo once again, with the ria blocking the course because of the coasts. Compulsory legs reduced tactical possibilities a great deal. For the other trimarans, it was not much of a problem, but Gitana X had no choice but to follow the same options, then it came down to a matter of pure speed. We couldn’t do anything that astonishing therefore, in spite of one or two good starts, the odd good option here and there in Vigo Bay on the first day. Manœuvres, tracks, how to place ourselves and crew cohesion progressed but the wind was still lacking. We really do need 15 to 20 knots before we can do anything interesting. Our navigation unit was not working properly and so we had no info about wind strength or direction, which doesn’t facilitate things when the breeze drops and the wind shifts ! »

Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) :

« There was little thermal wind on the course which was however to be expected in the ria. Not much difference between Marseille and Vigo, apart from the level of contact on the starting line, which did not go in our favour either – once in favour of Banque Populaire, twice on Géant, once on Groupama-2. And for the last round, we set off on the wrong side in spite of having got things right just before the start, but in a matter of minutes, the wind had changed. Our opponents are getting better all the time and in light air, the rest of the fleet is very much on a par. There’s not much in it, but you can tell that everyone – with the exception of Groupama-2 – messed up on at least one occasion in Vigo. The difference between Géant, Banque Populaire and Foncia has become very slight. »

Rankings – Grand Prix de Galice over six rounds :

1-Franck Cammas – Groupama-2 (1+1+1+1+1+2) 7 points
2-Pascal Bidegorry – Banque Populaire (2+3+4+3+3+1) 16 points
3-Michel Desjoyeaux – Géant (5+2+2+2+5+3) 19 points
4-Frédéric Le Peutrec – Gitana 11 (3+4+3+4+2+4) 20 points
5-Armel Le Cléac’h – Foncia (6+7+5+5+4+5) 32 points
6-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent – Gitana X (4+5+6+6+6+6) 33 points

Provisional rankings in the ORMA Multihull Championship:

after the IB Group Challenge (weighting 3), le Grand Prix de Corse (weighting 1), la Giraglia Rolex Cup (weighting 0,5), le Grand Prix de Marseille Métropole (weighting 1) et le Grand Prix de Galice (weighting 1) :

1-Pascal Bidegorry (Banque Populaire) 11 points (0+3+2+4+2)
2-Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) 17,5 points (6+4+1,5+3+3)
3-Frédéric Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) 20,5 points (9+2+3 ½+2+4)
4-Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) 21 points (21+0+0+0+0)
5-Armel Le Cléac’h (Foncia) 30 points (12+7+1+5+5)
6-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana X) 35,5 points (15+5+2 ½+7+6)
7-Giovanni Soldini (TIM-Progetto Italia) 83 points (51+6+3+6+17)
8ex-Thomas Coville (Sodebo) 113 points (51+18+9+18+17)
8ex-Yvan Bourgnon (Brossard) 113 points (51+18+9+18+17)

Retourner aux articles

Heritage