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  • Gitana 18
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    • 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.

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    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.

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    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.

    Gitana 18’s daggerboard

    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.

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    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.

    Gitana 18’s coachroof

    08.10.2010

    Time for the final act.

    Tomorrow sees the start of the fifth and final Grand Prix of the Extreme Sailing Series. The 2010 championship is drawing to a close and the new winner will be revealed on Tuesday 12th October after four days of competition disputed on the race zone of Almeria, at the southern tip of Spain in Andalusia. With four boats still in contention for the o…

    par Gitana

    Tomorrow sees the start of the fifth and final Grand Prix of the Extreme Sailing Series. The 2010 championship is drawing to a close and the new winner will be revealed on Tuesday 12th October after four days of competition disputed on the race zone of Almeria, at the southern tip of Spain in Andalusia. With four boats still in contention for the outright title, proceedings will doubtless be lively with some full-on nautical battles. For Yann Guichard’s men, lying in ambush on the second step of the provisional podium and winners of two of the four events already contested, naturally the objective remains outright victory. However, more important to the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group than the result, is the way in which they sail.

    The Andalusian city of Almeria is playing host to the fleet of Extreme 40s for the second year running. Furthermore, for the 2010 season final, the organisers have concocted a full race programme for the eight competing teams. The competition days will begin shortly after 1400 hours with so-called ‘long’ races, contested just outside the harbour walls. Following on from these, midway through the afternoon, the fleet of one design catamarans will compete in the event’s more familiar short race formats, right next to the quayside in Almeria to put on a show for the big Spanish crowds expected: “Unlike last year, where all the races were run within the harbour walls, we have some races scheduled to take place outside involving some slightly longer courses. The variety and the switch in race format is a positive thing. We’ll have to be versatile to hang onto our position at top of the table, which isn’t something I mind!” explains Yann Guichard.

    At this stage of the competition, calculations are rife. Indeed, to win the Extreme Sailing Series 2010 outright, the crew of the catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild will have to finish ahead of Paul Campbell-James’ men in this event. Very much aware of this fact, Yann Guichard has no intention of focusing on a single competitor however: “The top four boats can play to win in Almeria as just four points separate us in the championship ranking. Above all else we’ll have to sail well and enjoy our time on the water, as we’ve always done, before thinking in terms of positions and points. This is always the way we play it” recalled the skipper of the Gitana Team. “My crew and I are confident. The last races, in the Grand Prix of Trapani at the end of September, taught us a lot and we intend to tackle this final meet of the year with a real sense of keenness and motivation.”

    Since Trapani, the skipper of Edmond de Rothschild Group has spared no effort and has had to adapt to a busy schedule. Indeed for several months now, Yann Guichard has been juggling two objectives: that of winning the crewed Extreme Sailing Series and that of earning another victory for Gitana Team in the famous solo transatlantic race between Saint Malo and Pointe-à-Pitre, the start of which is looming ever closer. On his return from a night at sea aboard the maxi-trimaran Gitana 11 and a few hours prior to taking off for Spain, the Gitana Team skipper expressed his views about these switches in craft and the considerable disparity between the two disciplines: “My numerous years in Olympic Sailing were very good training. Aboard the Tornado, we were constantly linking together races and training sessions, to the extent that we were always in competition mode. As such my schedule over the past few months has been a question of organisation. I’m lucky to be very well supported within the Gitana Team. You might think that, just a few days before the start of the Rhum, coming here to race in the Extreme may ‘disrupt’ the preparation, but in reality it’s a welcome addition. The Grands Prix enable me to unwind and have fun doing some close contact racing. Certainly my main goal this year remains the Route du Rhum.”

    Two new crews to join the Extreme Sailing Series in Almeria
         A Spanish Extreme 40 called Rumbo Almeria, co-skippered by Mitch Booth and Guillermo Altadill, will join the regular teams, along with a one design from New Zealand (Emirates Team New Zealand) helmed by Dean Barker. The arrival of these two crews brings the number of teams competing in the Grand Prix of Almeria to eight.

    Provisional ranking for the Extreme Sailing Series 2010 (after four Grands Prix)
    1. The Wave, Muscat (Paul Campbell-James) – 28 points
    2. Edmond de Rothschild (Yann Guichard) – 27 points
    3. Ecover Sailing Team (Mike Golding) – 25 points
    4. Oman Sail Masirah (Loïck Peyron) – 24 points
    5. Groupama 40 (Franck Cammas) – 13 points
    6. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (Roman Hagara) – 12 points
    7. The Ocean Racing Club (Mitch Booth) – 8 points
    8. Team GAC Pindar (Nick Moloney) – 3 points

    The crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group in Almeria
    Yann Guichard – Skipper, helmsman / Pierre Pennec – Mainsail trimmer / Thierry Fouchier – Headsail trimmer / Yves Detrey – Bowman

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