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.

09.11.2008

The call of the ocean.

After over three week's wait in Port Olona and, for a lot of participants, numerous years of preparation, the event has become a reality. The thirty solo sailors in the 6th edition of the Vendée Globe set off this Sunday 9th November at 1302 hours. Ahead of their bows is a solo circumnavigation of the globe, without stopovers and without assistance…

par Gitana

After over three week’s wait in Port Olona and, for a lot of participants, numerous years of preparation, the event has become a reality. The thirty solo sailors in the 6th edition of the Vendée Globe set off this Sunday 9th November at 1302 hours. Ahead of their bows is a solo circumnavigation of the globe, without stopovers and without assistance, involving some three months at sea and over 21,000 miles of sailing. The adventure can begin for the monohull equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild!

With precision timing for both their departure from the pontoons this morning and the race start, the thirty participants in the Vendée Globe 2008 – 2009 set off in unison. As planned, at 1302 hours, boosted by a moderate but strengthening SW’ly, the fleet of Imoca monohulls took to the seas.

Aboard Gitana Eighty, Loïck Peyron opted to benefit from the right hand side of the race zone in the wake of Sébastien Josse’s 60 footer, the leader in the first ranking. However, in addition to the technical precision, such as the tack chosen by the sailors as well as their sail plan during the start procedure, the unique setting offered at the start of the afternoon off the Vendée coast certainly deserves a mention as the magic of the Vendée Globe was in play once again! Despite the rain taking hold for a while with grey skies and a motley sea, it was a fantastic spectacle. Escorted by their shore crews, the 60 footers carved out a path through the numerous spectator craft. After an hour long procession to get offshore it was time to bid a final farewell before being left alone to sail their race.

Given the weather forecasts, the first night’s racing looks set to involve some work, with increased vigilance on deck being a must. Indeed, setting out on the trailing edge of a rainy front, which swept across the Vendée coast this morning, the solo sailors are now heading towards another front, still located a good way off to the west. The wind is set to fill rapidly, peaking tomorrow morning with an average of 30 to 35 knots and gusts in excess of 40 knots. In other words, there will be little time for Loïck Peyron and Gitana Eighty to ease gently into the rhythm of the race. On casting off this morning, the skipper of the monohull in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group alluded to the fact that his main goal initially would be to get into the right wagon from the outset. This is a done deal tonight with Gitana Eighty occupying 4th place at the 1600 hour ranking.

It should be noted that Dominique Wavre alerted the organisation shortly after 1500 hours that he would have to return to port following electrical issues. The Swiss skipper hoped to resolve the matter as quickly as possible so he could head back into the race again.

Ranking on 9th November – 1600 hours (French time)

1. BT (Sébastien Josse)
2. Safran (Marc Guillemot)
3. Paprec Virbac (Jean-Pierre Dick) 0.2 miles from the leader
4. Gitana Eighty (Loïck Peyron) 0.4 miles back
5. Brit Air (Armel Le Cléac’h) 0.4 miles back

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