CRO Melges 24 Cup: Champagne sailing in Dubrovnik

31.01.2022

January 31, 2022 - Dubrovnik, Croatia - Five great races, demanding weather conditions, top Croatian sailors and the victory of the boat Panjić from JK Briva with Luka Šangulin, Tomislav Bašić, Marko Smolić, Duje Fržop and Noa Šangulin among 13 teams marked the first regatta of the new season of the CRO Melges24 Cup in Dubrovnik hosted by JK Orsan.

As the current winner of the Croatian sailing 'Champions League', Panjić collected two victories and two third places in the Dubrovnik waters, ahead of former Olympians Ivan Kljaković Gašpić (Univeritas Nova) and Karlo Kuret whose PointOne with 11 points won third place.

Panjić CRO739 from JK Briva with Luka Šangulin, Tomislav Bašić, Marko Smolić, Duje Fržop and Noa Šangulin - CRO Melges 24 Cup 2022 - Event 1 - Dubrovnik

Hrvoje Duvančić - regate.com.hr

'We had two top sailing days. Three different crews celebrated in the five races held. The winner was not known until the end. I am glad that the class is growing, that all the best Croatian sailors are sailing here. This is proof that the CRO Melges24 Cup in Croatia will continue to grow," said the winner of the Dubrovnik regatta, Luka Šangulin.

Ivan Kljaković Gašpić and his team on Univeritas Nova CRO 567 - CRO Melges 24 Cup 2022 - Event 1 - Dubrovnik

Hrvoje Duvančić - regate.com.hr

Former Croatian Olympic sailor Ivan Kljaković Gašpić also commented on the real 'boom' of the Melges project.

"'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 kind of competition," explained Ivan Kljaković Gašpić.

Karlo Kuret on PointOne CRO561 - CRO Melges 24 Cup 2022 - Event 1 - Dubrovnik

Hrvoje Duvančić - regate.com.hr

The winner of the Corinthian division, Ante Botica’s MATARAN 24 CRO166 collected 17 pts including one bullet and finished her first Melges 24 competition on 5th position!