English
Gitana Junior II Z107 was designed by Jean Grobéty and built in Switzerland by Philippe Durr in 1986, and was raced by both Baron Edmond and his son Benjamin de Rothchild.
Having completed a major restoration in 2018, Gitana Junior II is presented in ready to race condition with an inventory to match; set of new Elvstrom sails from 2019/20 which have only been used 3 times, two masts (one which is a split mast for transporting - needs restoring), and up to date measurement certificate, this 6 Metre is ready to compete against her sisterships in the Worlds in 2023, Cowes.
Gitana Junior II is currently sat on a yard cradle in Italy and ready for her next custodian.
History
The history of Gitana 6 Metre fleet started in early 1981 when the late Baron Edmond de Rothschild commissioned Sparkman & Stephens to design him his first 6 Metre for the relaunched Cannes Royale regatta. The first boat launched was Gitana Senior, it was the start of 7 years of 6 Metre racing for the Rothschilds.
Gitana Junior II Z107 was designed by Jean Grobety and built in Switzerland by Philippe Durr in 1986. The boat went on to be raced by both Baron Edmond and his son Benjamin de Rothschild. As quoted by the Gitana Team Website ‘They would take part in a variety of 6 Metre events, the crews behaving like enemy brothers during competition, but rekindling their ties once the finish line was crossed’.
Like a stable winning racehorse, Gitana Junior II changed hands a number of times until her current owner purchased her in 2018 and went about restoring this now retro modern 6 Metre back to her original condition.
2018 saw the rebirth of this 6 Metre. No corner was cut, everything was either replaced or refurbished. The hull (below the waterline) was ground back to the fiberglass and anti-osmosis treatment was undertaken, her original Gitana Blue topsides were polished and carbon speed antifouling applied to the bottom.
All running and standing rigging, hydraulics serviced and all new safety equipment was replaced during her 2018 refit. This gave Gitana Junior II a new lease of life. Since then, she has enjoyed sailing on Lake Como, Italy racing alongside the classic 6 Metre, Bau Bau (Ita58)
General Specification
Winches
2 Runner winches
1 Mainsheet winch
2 Headsail winches
2 Spinaker winches
Hydraulics
Seaway Products UK, hydraulics for mast ram and forestay (serviced 2018)
Sails
Mainsail EPEX carbon technora (Elvstrom sails) 2019
Genoa Medium EPEX carbon technora (Elvstrom sails) 2019
Genoa 2 heavy in Technora (Elvstrom sails) 2020
Spi in Nylon thickness 0.5 (Elvstrom sails) 2019
New sails have been used 3 times
Few older sails which are fine for training
Spars
One peace mast (2018)
Two piece mast (needs restoring)
Aluminium spinnaker pole
Boom vang (2018)
Windex
Rigging
Rod rigging complete with new turnbuckles, high flying wheels in spiral cable (2018)
Forestay in rod original but new as it was part of the second reserve mast (2018)
Halyards and all new ropes in dyneema (2018)
Backstay in dyneema (2018)
Safety Equipment
Double electric bilge pump with automatic sensor (Whale) and new 50 Amp battery
Double bilge manual pump
Aluminum wave guards
Additional Information
Yard cradle on wheels (for boatyard movement)
6 Metre Measurement certificate
Certified ORC club