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.

25.09.2010

Upset on the Sicilian podium.

par Gitana

Another full-on day has come to an end in the port of the medieval city of Trapani. The Extreme Sailing Series fleet competed in seven races this Saturday in a steady NW’ly breeze oscillating between 20 and 25 knots. Some lively conditions then and the crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group took a while to get its bearings. Nevertheless, Yann Guichard and his men got right back into the thick of the action in the second half of the afternoon, even scoring a very fine victory in race five. In third position on the provisional podium tonight, the sailors from Gitana Team will be on the attack tomorrow to conclude this fourth and penultimate Grand Prix of the season in the best possible way.

The fierce battle between the seven competing one designs has been intense throughout the afternoon on Trapani’s race zone. True to form, the skipper of the catamaran fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild wasn’t silent on his return to shore, instead having a thorough run-down of this third day of racing with his crew: “I wasn’t very forceful at the starts, especially during the first two races. The races were very short again, between 6 and 8 minutes, so you can’t afford to make a poor approach. However, nobody onboard gave up and we managed to get control. We ended up with a podium place in the last three races, even winning one. We’re bringing this Saturday’s racing to a close on a positive note and will try to start off in the same vein tomorrow. The level is very similar and there was very little difference between the teams. In the first race we overshot the start by less than a metre. As such we suddenly found that we had to perform a penalty by crossing the start line again and thus ended up by bringing up the rear. That’s all part of the game and you have to agree to take a few risks.”

In the full-on conditions encountered over the past few days, the sailors have really taken a hammering, which is something Gabriele Bruni won’t deny. Yesterday the Sicilian skipper cracked his malleolus during the last race of the day and this morning, Mitch Booth, in Trapani to admire the spectacle, was put forward to stand in for him on the local catamaran. The skipper of Gitana hasn’t escaped injury either. Indeed, during the second race, Yann Guichard injured his left arm; a misfortune which he explained to us on his return to shore: “I really hurt my arm during a gybe. Part of the boat I deal with is in front of the piece which links together the two rudders and during a manœuvre the mainsail flicked violently across this zone, whilst my arm was carried off by the mainsail car. Fortunately, I had the reflexes to let go of it and it could have been a lot worse. I’ve ended up with a big bruise on the elbow but it’ll be better tomorrow after a good night’s rest.”

With the exception of the Omani one design skippered by Paul Campbell-James, who has been consistent throughout the afternoon and this evening confirms his leadership by having racked up a sixteen point lead over the team in second place, the next four boats in the ranking are just fourteen points apart… “In the ranking, the frontrunner has got away from us a little. As such it will be difficult to get back into the top spot, but we’re still on track for the remaining podium places and there’s everything to play for tomorrow. The previous events have already provided us with a number of upsets during this final day so we’ll see if Trapani is the same” explains Yann Guichard.Suffice to say that with such a scenario, the pressure will be on for the final day.

Provisional ranking for the Grand Prix of Trapani (after nineteen races)

1. The Wave, Muscat (Paul Campbell-James) – 107 points

2. Oman Sail Masirah (Loïck Peyron) – 91 points

3. Edmond de Rothschild Group (Yann Guichard) – 85 points

4. Groupama 40 (Franck Cammas) – 82 points

5. Ecover Sailing Team (Mike Golding) – 77 points

6. Red Bull Extreme Sailing (Roman Hagara) – 61 points

7. Trapani The Sailing Seacily (Grabiele Bruni) – 26 points

The crew of Edmond de Rothschild Group

Yann Guichard – Skipper, helmsman / Pierre Pennec – Mainsail trimmer / Hervé Cunningham – Headsail trimmer / Yves Detrey – Bowman

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