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.

04.12.2007

Top quality racing.

5 days into the B to B Transat between Salvador de Bahia and Port-La-Forêt, Loïck Peyron, skipper of Gitana Eighty, has moved to the head of the fleet and is about to emerge from the doldrums. Travelling at 10 knots in a north-easterly trade wind, the labours of the last 48 hours have borne their fruit and there is fair weather on the horizon once…

par Gitana

Billed as a qualifying event for the next Vendée Globe, this transatlantic race is unfolding as a top-flight contest. For the moment, the race is being fought out by the various rivals making up the leading group who have opted for either the northern route – like Loïck Peyron – or a more easterly trajectory – the choice made by Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia.

Loïck Peyron commented on the situation in today’s radio chat: “The conditions are a dream, just perfect for relaxing after last night, which can only be described as full on! As usual, the doldrums served up its usual cocktail of storms, squalls and windless zones and I was only able to get one or two few-minute bursts of shut-eye. Now I just want to head north as fast as possible and increase the lead over my rivals. I’m really happy with the last 30 hours or so. It’s all gone swimmingly and I’m pleased to be negotiating the exit from the doldrums in this position. As expected, the sailing in this return/race is just as intense as in the Transat Jacques Vabre and there are still plenty of miles remaining. Over the days to come, we should be sailing close hauled and things should hopefully be a bit calmer, but vigilance will be my watchword. I’ve noticed that my pal Michel Desjoyeaux, whom I congratulate by the way on his well-deserved Sailor of the Year award, has plumped for an easterly course. Only time will tell if it’s a gamble that pays off.”

14:00pm ranking
Rang Nom du bateau Latitude Longitude Vmg Vit. Cap Dist.arrivée Dist. 1er
1 Gitana Eighty 6 23.00′ N 27 58.36′ W 9.5 10.0 5 2776.90 0.00
2 Foncia 5 23.48′ N 25 58.00′ W 7.4 7.5 27 2791.80 14.90
3 Brit’Air 5 49.76′ N 27 14.04′ W 9.5 9.7 9 2792.40 15.50
4 Generali 5 52.16′ N 28 01.36′ W 9.7 13.0 339 2806.80 29.80
5 Groupe Bel 5 48.56′ N 28 05.32′ W 6.2 6.5 4 2811.50 34.60
6 Ecover 5 34.76′ N 27 30.00′ W 10.3 10.6 33 2812.00 35.10
7 Cheminées Poujoulat 5 23.60′ N 27 02.68′ W 12.4 12.5 12 2813.10 36.20
8 Safran 6 12.52′ N 29 11.52′ W 7.2 8.8 347 2813.70 36.70

Reminder of the Gitana Team’s final positions in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007:

Gitana 11 finished second among the 60-foot ORMA multihulls, on Wednesday 14 November at 22 hours 51 minutes 6 seconds (French time) after 10 days 9 hours and 49 minutes and 6 seconds’ racing.

Gitana Eighty finished eighth among the 60-foot IMOCA monohulls, on Wednesday 21 November at 21 hours 33 minutes and 55 seconds (French time) after 18 days 7 hours 33 minutes and 55 seconds’ racing.

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