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.

24.11.2008

Which way to turn?.

Though this Monday 24th November announces the fleet's entry into its third week of racing, it is also marked by some rather pleasant sailing conditions for the solo sailors. Indeed, whilst the latter have been heeled over, upwind, for several days, a fleeting overnight rotation of the wind offered them a few hours of sailing with slightly eased sh…

par Gitana

Though this Monday 24th November announces the fleet’s entry into its third week of racing, it is also marked by some rather pleasant sailing conditions for the solo sailors. Indeed, whilst the latter have been heeled over, upwind, for several days, a fleeting overnight rotation of the wind offered them a few hours of sailing with slightly eased sheets, which everyone seemed to appreciate despite the wet conditions reigning on the deck of the 60 footers. With each day and each ranking that passes, Loïck Peyron and Gitana Eighty are confirming their leader status. However, in their wake, Sébastien Josse – in a solid second place – and Jean-Pierre Dick remain a threat, 21.8 and 36.2 miles astern respectively at 1600 hours.

“I’m in Olympic shape. We’re in perfect harmony Gitana Eighty and I!” These were Loïck Peyron’s closing words with the Paris Race HQ today and revealed the state of mind aboard the monohull in the colours of the LCF Rothschild Group. It has to be said that the day had started out very well: “We’ve been making fairly good headway since last night. The wind has shifted round to a better direction. It’s really pleasant even though we still have messy seas and it’s very wet on deck. This wind rotation has revealed itself to be a lot further left than the forecasts. We have an average of between 20 and 25 knots and though the chaotic close-hauled sailing of the past few days is virtually a thing of the past, its return isn’t really a long way off.” Positioned off Brazil, the leading group has benefited from a temporary E’ly shift of the SE’ly tradewinds, thus enabling them to open their sails and appreciate a few hours of increased speeds. At the 1600 hour ranking, the slight upturn in conditions late this morning seemed to have come to an end though, as the speeds of the top three bare witness, with around 13 knots at present compared with 17-18 five hours beforehand.

However, although the wind shift was clearly on the minds of all the sailors today, there was another cause for concern: the Saint Helena High. After a far from classic Doldrums, this second key passage in the Atlantic also seems a little off colour. Indeed, it is proving difficult to decipher the weather configuration in the southern Atlantic at the moment… The zone of high pressure, positioned off Uruguay for several days, is shifting eastwards and will soon piece back together the Saint Helena High. However the return of a more classic outline will once again favour the chasing pack. In fact, the latter may well be able to save on the miles by rounding the Cape of Good Hope more directly, which is a move the current conditions aren’t allowing Loïck Peyron and his closest rivals to pull off. If all this becomes a reality, we may see a further bunching of the fleet, which the skipper of Gitana Eighty confirms: “For the time being, we’re heading straight into the zone of high pressure rather than rounding it. What’s shaping up won’t be easy to overcome. The future situation isn’t necessarily the best scenario for those at the front. The negotiation of Saint Helena may well be another tricky passage which will favour those on our tails…”.

After fifteen days of racing, everyone has now got into the groove of the race and are settled into their own routines. The high emotion of the start and the adapting to the first few days is a thing of the past now, and the skippers are presently easing themselves into a quite guarded routine, as Loïck Peyron admitted at noon: “This part of the race, along the Brazilian coast, is fairly routine and it will be the same again on our return. You still have to constantly have your hand to the sheets nevertheless. The point of sail is routine but the manner of sailing isn’t.” It is worth noting that certain competitors would have gladly enjoyed a taste of this ‘routine’ for a few more days, as was the case for Jérémie Beyou. Victim of a broken spreader yesterday, Sunday, the solo sailor is currently heading towards Salvador de Bahia in Brazil to evaluate the damage suffered to the starboard section of the rig. Once there he will perform a complete assessment of the mast and will decide if he can make repairs himself and remain in the race, or if he will be forced to retire. This heavy blow has been dealt by fate and the sailor has reminded the others about the importance of vigilance, given the considerable pounding these latest generation 60 footers are being subject to.

Ranking on Monday 24th November – 1600 hours (French time)
1. Gitana Eighty (Loïck Peyron) 20,555 miles to the finish
2. BT (Sébastien Josse) 21.8 miles behind the leader
3. Paprec Virbac (Jean-Pierre Dick) 36.2 miles
4. PRB (Vincent Riou) 51.4 miles
5. Brit Air (Armel Le Cléac’h) 53.1 miles
…

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