The ACI Sail ClubSwan 36 Tacit Consent was helmed by Max Gjidera, who was joined in the second leg by the celebrated Croatian Olympian and ACI ambassador Ivica Kostelić
The 45th South Dalmatia Regatta, organised by the JK Orsan sailing club and PŠD Peliška Jedra marine sports association, took place from 8 to 10 August. A total of 37 yachts participated in the regatta, competing in three stages over three days: Orebić – Pomena, Pomena – Slano and, the final leg, Slano – Dubrovnik. The most successful yacht was JK Orsan’s Spirit, which secured overall victory under the ORC rating system, bringing a double win to the club. At the helm of the Spirit was Andrea Antunović.
ACI Sail among the participants of the traditional South Dalmatia Regatta
The fastest yacht overall was Stravaganza, helmed by Niko Kmetović, which was the winner of the first and third legs. Among the participants, the ACI Sail ClubSwan 36 Tacit Consent also stood out, helmed by Max Gjidera, who was joined in the second leg by the celebrated Croatian Olympian and ACI ambassador Ivica Kostelić. The ACI Sail yacht placed 10th overall, while securing first place in its length group. After the second leg in Slano, Veljko Barbieri ACI Marina hosted the entire regatta fleet, offering top-class hospitality and further strengthening ACI’s position as a key partner in the development and promotion of Croatian sailing.
At the end of the second leg, the ACI Sail yacht was ranked fourth. “Sailing with the ACI Sail ClubSwan 36 fleet, renowned for its outstanding performance and reliability in all conditions, is always a special experience for me. I have already sailed with this young and talented crew several times and have enjoyed, each time, the challenges and dynamics of the competition. ACI’s support for such projects is of exceptional importance for the development of sailing in Croatia, while Veljko Barbieri ACI Marina in Slano provides everything needed for top-quality sailing experience in the Adriatic. This regatta itself is proof of how much Croatian sailing is progressing, and how vital it is to invest in first-class equipment and infrastructure,” said Ivica Kostelić, celebrated Croatian Olympian and ACI ambassador.
The regatta brought together fast, modern and visually striking yachts
This year, particular attention was drawn to the legendary yacht NZ Endeavour, with which the renowned Grant Dalton won the prestigious Whitbread Round the World Race in 1993–1994. At the helm of this famous yacht was its new owner, Italian boatbuilder and sailor Ezio Tavasani, who bought and thoroughly restored it a few years ago. Today, the NZ Endeavour actively competes in regattas across the Mediterranean, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s most highly regarded yachts.
“This year’s regatta once again confirmed its reputation as one of the most attractive sailing events on the Adriatic, bringing together around forty yachts, including fast, modern and visually impressive ones. A special highlight in the second leg was Ivica Kostelić’s participation aboard the ACI Sail yacht – the celebrated Olympian who, following a distinguished skiing career, has devoted himself to sailing and continues to achieve notable results. We were also honoured to welcome the famous NZ Endeavour, an enduring part of world sailing history. Our thanks go to the ACI marinas, especially Veljko Barbieri ACI Marina in Slano, which, at the end of the second leg, extended first-class hospitality to the entire fleet, making a significant contribution to the smooth running of the regatta,” Marko Falconi, organiser at JK Orsan, concluded.
