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.

05.04.2016

The day before #2.

par Gitana

With 7 months to go till the start of the Vendée Globe and to celebrate its second take, The Day Before is offering you the chance to take a topical tour of Gitana Team’s design office, that is as rich as it is varied. Indeed, within the five-arrow racing stable various projects are in the process of being skilfully juggled. In the multihull sector, we have the 70-foot Edmond de Rothschild, which has been embroiled in her second offshore flight campaign for some days, and over the longer term, the construction of the maxi-multihull in Vannes, south-west Brittany. Meantime, in the monohull sector, the relaunch of the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild on 24 March 2016, has enabled the team to switch to the next phase in her preparation.

The day before, the countdown is on…

On 6 November, 13:00 hours… the start of the 8^th Vendée Globe will set sail from Les Sables d’Olonne. The 2016 season is the home straight in the race to make the start of this flagship event, Gitana Team’s primary objective this year. Naturally it’s an important time for Sébastien Josse since he’ll be at the helm of the Mono60 Edmond de Rothschild, as well as for the members of the shore team, who have been preparing for this day for nearly two years if we go right back to the genesis of Gitana 16. The aim of “The Day Before”, Gitana Team’s monthly video spot broadcast on the 5^th of every month, is to take you behind the scenes of the racing stable fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild and let you discover the daily lives of the women and men in the background who make the adventure possible.

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