ACI marinas in Ičići and Rovinj will host the best domestic and international sailors
The sailing season of the Croatian Melges 24 Fleet, which began in January 2022 in Dubrovnik and in February in Biograd na Moru, will soon be continued in the ACI marinas in Ičići and Rovinj. Moreover, ACI marina Ičići, organized by Yacht Club Croatia, will host the first regatta of this top competition on March 18 and 19, while from April 1 to 3, the host will be ACI marina Rovinj. Opatija and Rovinj have long been renowned for their attractive sailing and tourist destinations, which from year to year expand their offer to numerous sports, cultural, gastronomic and other novelties. In addition to interesting festivals, Rovinj has established itself as an unavoidable location and jewel of Istria, and in the month after this top regatta will host the Weekend Food Festival – the largest regional gastro festival that brings together the best world and local experts in gastronomy and hospitality.
In just two years, the new Melges 24 class has attracted a large number of renowned grandmasters and, thanks to strong and well-known competition, has earned the popular title of the Croatian Champions League. “In the class of sailing cream of our sailing: Šime and Mihovil Fantela, Tonči Stipanović, Ivan Kljaković Gašpić, Karlo Kuret, Enia Ninčević, Marija Anđela De Micheli Vitturi, Tomislav Basić and many other sailors who have marked numerous Croatian and world regattas. And we are especially proud that we managed to get a large number of sailors from the Corinthian group into this project, ie crews that do not have sailing professionals in their ranks. After a long time in Croatia we have a competition on equal terms, so the same type of sailboat so-called. one design, in which the skill of the sailor is brought to the fore. In addition to great sailing names, we have hired the best Croatian judges to make the CRO Melges 24 Cup the best of the best in Croatian sailing “, said Filip Jurišić, President of the HR class Melges 24, otherwise a successful sailor in the ILCA 7 class.
A large number of boats and top names have successfully positioned Croatia on the European and world Melges 24 scene, so the international leadership of the class decided that Rovinj will be the organizer of the first European Sailing Series regatta in the Melges 24 class. in Croatia, ACI marina Rovinj is ready for another top one-design regatta, where over 20 Croatian and foreign crews are expected. The real ‘boom’ of the Melges project was also commented on by our Ivan Kljaković Gašpić, ACI Sail project manager and former Croatian Olympic sailor.
“Melges’ idea is to gather all the best in Croatian sailing. Top athletes who marked all major Croatian and world regattas. When you look at the list of crews, you will see America’s Cup participants, Olympians, great sailors in cruisers, but also new young forces who enjoy sailing in this competition, “explained Ivan Kljaković Gašpić.
Source: aci-marinas.com
