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.

15.02.2024

WAYPOINT #7, Gitana Team’s round the world rendez-vous.

par Gitana

Every Thursday, throughout the Arkea Ultim Challenge, Gitana Team is offering you a complete round-up of Charles Caudrelier and the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild’s race. Via its weekly video broadcast, you’ll discover the latest onboard footage, analysis of the weather and strategy as explained by the members of the team’s routing cell, as well as delving behind the scenes of the five-arrow racing stable whilst its flagship is out on the racetrack. Finally, this rendez-vous will round off with a long oceanic interview recorded by a different star guest. Charles will share his feelings and his sentiments with the host throughout this epic adventure.

It’s already the seventh episode of WAYPOINT! And above all, it’s already more than 39 days since the solo sailors in the Arkea Ultim Challenge cast off from Brest for this first round the world race in ULTIM. The climb back up the Atlantic, renowned for being demanding in this epic planetary course, has remained true to form and is really putting the men and the machines to the test.

At the 16:00 UTC ranking, Charles Caudrelier was positioned some 3,500 miles from the finish holding onto a lead of nearly 1,500 miles over Armel Le Cléac’h and 2,200 miles ahead of Thomas Coville. Unfortunately, this hierarchy is likely to be shaken up over the next few days as Team Banque Populaire announced a pit stop in Brazil this morning, following damage to their central rudder.

As is the case every week, this latest chapter of WAYPOINT kicks off with some images sent from on board by the sailor of Gitana Team. The content is somewhat rarer than in previous episodes but, having a rough ride due to the weather, the skipper could only apologise!

Within the weather routing cell, we hook up with Erwan Israël for this week’s debrief. Using a colour map, he details the phenomena with which the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild has had to contend since hanging a left at the southernmost tip of South America. Amidst a powerful depression and managing zones of light and shifty winds, the past week has been far from restful for the trio of routers as well.

On shore, within Gitana Team’s base in Lorient, the team is dividing its time between following the race and the elaboration of future projects, starting with construction of Gitana 18, the five-arrow racing stable’s new giant. However, some more atypical projects are also under study, including that of TRIMAROS, the details of which are kindly shared with us by Alice Duvivier, one of the naval architects from the in-house design office.

With the satellite connections being much better in these latitudes close to the equator, this Thursday 15 February we were delighted to have a visit from Charlie Dalin. The skipper of the monohull Macif Santé prévoyance, Charlie is a big name in the IMOCA class. A key mover and shaker in the last Vendée Globe, which saw him secure second place, he is also a flying boat aficionado so he’s been following the race with an especially keen eye because, in just a few months’ time, he will be back at the start of the Everest of the Seas in Les Sables d’Olonne.

Welcome to the 7th episode of WAYPOINT!

Watch the video

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