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.

18.01.2023

The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild continues her standby in Lorient.

par Gitana

Having arrived at the Marina du Château in Brest last Friday for a potential departure, the crew of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild are heading back on the return trip to Lorient this Wednesday morning, where they will tie up alongside later today following an offshore training session. The complexity of finding a favourable sequence of weather systems between the North and South Atlantic means it is not yet possible for the men of Gitana Team to pinpoint the right timing to set sail on the Jules Verne Trophy. However, Charles Caudrelier, Franck Cammas and all the Team will remain vigilant and on their toes as they continue to monitor any evolution in the weather conditions.

Blockage in the south

The decision was taken at around 21:30 UTC last night. Having initially envisaged a departure within the next 24 hours, the team, in accordance with the latest analysis from their weather router Marcel van Triest, has decided to postpone their attempt for now. “The weather doesn’t suit us enough,” Charles Caudrelier acknowledges. “Francis Joyon set the bar very high with his record (40 days, 23 hours and 30 minutes in 2017). Even though Edmond de Rothschild has excellent potential, we need to find a very favourable and very rare weather sequence that works for us in both the North and South Atlantic. This is the launch pad for a record attempt and if it’s not successful, the chances of breaking it are virtually zero.” The objective remains the same: to pass below South Africa and the Cape of Good Hope in under 11 days.

Since last Saturday, the team has been trying to “find a correlation between what’s happening in the north – particularly in the Bay of Biscay – and a low pressure system in the South Atlantic, which would propel us forward in the Southern Ocean,” continues Franck Cammas. “For now, when the timing is right in the north, it’s not favourable in the south.” On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the effects of Storm Gerard, which were sweeping across metropolitan France, made a potential departure impossible. “We didn’t want to take the risk with the boat in what were very heavy seas for the first few hours,” admits Charles.

“Patience is the name of the game for a record!”

“We’re targeting a low pressure system offshore of Brazil, but we need 7 to 8 days to get there,”explains the recent winner of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe. “However, the forecasts are very erratic in that area… What we’re after is the chance to hook onto a favourable depression at a speed that fulfils the boat’s potential and can carry us as far as the Indian Ocean,” agrees Franck.“For now, every time we come close to such a scenario, the models change and conditions are not favourable yet.”However, as someone who has already bagged the record, back in 2010, he’s keen to point out that “opportunities can come your way fairly quickly.”

This Wednesday morning, the crew cast off from the Marina du Château and out into Brest Harbour to return to their base in Lorient. “We positioned ourselves in Brest because there was a weather window between two periods of stormy NW’ly winds,” explains Franck. “That’s no longer the case so we’re returning to Lorient. We’re going to make the most of the trip to set sail as if we were taking the start,”adds Charles. “In so doing, we’ll be able to pit the boat against the heavy seas for a few hours to see how she handles. With the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild we can very quickly come back up to Brest as soon as an opportunity arises.” The two sailors admit to being a “little frustrated”, but like their four crew – Morgan Lagravière, David Boileau, Erwan Israël and Yann Riou – they are all too familiar with the hazards of a Jules Verne Trophy start and know how to seize any opportunities offered up by the weather: “We’d like to set sail as early as possible, but we have experience on our side. We know the record is hard to beat and you have to know how to be patient. That’s the name of the game on a record!” concluded the skipper of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild just before casting off for Lorient.