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.

16.08.2008

Weaving through the summer monsoon.

The pace has slightly picked up aboard the maxi-catamaran in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group. Setting out from Hong Kong on Thursday morning in their bid to establish a new reference time between the Asian city and London, Lionel Lemonchois and his nine crew are still making headway upwind across the China Sea, around 200 miles from the Vie…

par Gitana

Since leaving Hong Kong on Thursday, the crew of Gitana 13 has covered nearly 570 miles, but a little less than 500 miles VMG; a slight difference due to the tacks the 33 metre maxi-catamaran has had to make, particularly during the course of yesterday: “We are still close-hauled on starboard tack and we’ll have to tack again this morning. We tacked four times yesterday in order to follow the shifts in the wind. We’re not sparing our efforts on deck, even though the particularly mild sea conditions mean that the manœuvres are fairly simple” explained Ronan Le Goff.

These tack changes are the price you have to pay to hunt down the steadier breeze to the west of the direct course: “The good news is that the wind has filled in. We currently have a wind at 225 (south-west sector), which is reaching 17 to 18 knots. The air is still as heavy as before and is accompanied by a stifling heat. Last night, we were even able to spot a few streaks of lightning in the distance” commented one of the three bowmen aboard.

True to form, the China Sea has already brought the ten sailors its share of encounters: “There are a good number of fishermen alongside us, as well as cargo ships. We passed four of the latter this morning within a short space of time. There are a fair number of drifting fishing nets too. Whatever happens you really have to be on your guard but all’s going well for the time being. Those crew who were involved in the Asian Tour between Yokohama and Hong Kong are fairly knowledgeable about this matter… However, we have passed some craft which appears to have fish drying capabilities. The aroma they gave off, even several boat lengths away, was quite incredible!” added Ronan Le Goff.

Ronan Le Goff, a highly experienced sailor
A loyal member of the Gitana Team, Ronan Le Goff was a bowman for a vast number of years during the multihull Grands Prix. Sailing alongside Franck Cammas at the start of the year, Ronan wasn’t able to form part of the crew during the Route de l’Or or the North Pacific Crossing, but he wouldn’t have missed the Tea Route for ‘all the tea in China!’ And even though this seventh record represents his first navigation of 2008 with Lionel Lemonchois and his crew, he’s still one of the sailors who best knows the boat. Indeed, the Breton has sailed one and a half times around the world aboard Gitana 13: in 2002, during the victorious Jules Verne Trophy with the crew of Bruno Peyron in 64 days, and then the following year with the English sailor Ellen MacArthur after the maxi-catamaran was sold on. That Jules Verne attempt sadly ended with a dismasting to the SE of the Kerguelen Islands.

Some figures
Gitana 13 left Hong Kong on Thursday 14th August at 07h55’32” (UT)
Saturday 16th August at 07h15 (UT), Gitana 13 was sailing at 13°N 45.53 N/113° 15.23 E
In 1990, Philippe Monnet took 67 days 10 hours and 26 minutes to complete this course between Hong Kong and London.

Watch No1: Lionel Lemonchois (Skipper / watch leader / helmsman) / Olivier Wroczynski (trimmer /head of computers and power) / David Boileau (Bowman / head of deck fittings)

Watch No.2: Ludovic Aglaor (watch leader / helmsman) / Laurent Mermod (trimmer) / Ronan Le Goff (Bowman)

Watch No.3: Pascal Blouin (Watch leader / helmsman) / Ronan Guérin (trimmer) / Léopold Lucet (No.1, head of supplies and doctor)

Outside the watch system: Dominic Vittet (navigator)

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