After the European Championship, which had its premiere in Split last October, the city under Marjan is starting today the host of the first Swan regatta of this season, which brings together the world’s best sailors in this class.
ACI and ACI Sail are proud hosts of one of the most prestigious regattas in the world – Swan Croatia Challenge. Thanks to ACI’s partnership with Nautor Swan, the city of Split is pleased to open this year’s regatta season. With this event, Split and Croatia become the center of the world nautical scene, which is extremely important for strengthening the tourist offer of the city of Split and strengthening the competitiveness of Croatian sailing, as well as Croatian nautical and tourism in general. The regatta takes place from April 25 to 29.
Celebrated ACI ambassadors and partners from the Maritime Faculty in Split sailed on the first day
The opening of the regatta was attended by the president of the Labud Sailing Club, Žarko Dešković, and the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić.
The Croatian sports public was introduced by the famous water polo coach Ratko Rudić, a member of the professional staff of the Croatian Water Polo Association, a long-term partner of ACI. The academic community was led by the dean of the Maritime Faculty in Split, Pero Vidan, on behalf of the City of Split, the regatta was accompanied by Deputy Mayor Antonijo Kuzmanić.
On the first day of this regatta, the Croatian Olympian and ACI ambassador Ivica Kostelić, who arrived in Split as the winner of the recently held Roma per Due regatta, helmed the boat representing the Maritime Faculty. As part of long-term quality cooperation, ACI d.d. and the Faculty of Maritime Affairs in Split jointly strive to connect practice, science and higher education through the involvement of young experts in the activities of the company ACI d.d. This will, among other things, be reflected in this major sporting event, which is of exceptional importance for strengthening the competitiveness of Croatian sailing, as well as Croatian nautical and tourism in general, but also the branding of the Republic of Croatia as a Mediterranean leader in nautical tourism.
Opening ceremony on Tuesday, April 25
The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, and the first day of action at sea was reserved for April 26, 2023, when the competitors set sail at 11 a.m. The end of the first day of racing is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., when the award ceremony for the day’s winners takes place. After the distribution, it is planned to socialize in Villa Dalmacija with boat owners and guests. The regatta races will be held on April 27, 28, and 29 according to the same schedule, and the last day of the regatta will mark the official closing, announcement of the winners and awarding of the winners’ cups.
We wish all competitors good luck and good wind in their sails!
Video & Photos: ClubSwan Racing / Studio Borlenghi
