Clash of the titans in Split: Ivan Kljaković Gašpić wins Mornar CRO Melges 24 Cup
September 5, 2022 - Split, Croatia - Croatian sailing clash of the titans in Split ended with the victory of former Croatian Olympian Ivan Kljaković Gašpić, who celebrated with the Universitas Nova crew at the record-breaking CRO Melges 24 Cup regatta, which was held in Split on September 3-4.
"Fantastic regatta. Again a record number of Croatian crews, the class is developing and growing. Melges 24 in Croatia has a great perspective because it unites all types of sailors: from small classes to Olympians and seasoned veterans. A beautiful sailing fairy tale," said Lovre Perhat on behalf of the organizer JK Mornar.
In the first regatta of the autumn part of the season, the 'Croatian Sailing Champions League' gathered as many as 16 boats and 74 sailors who completed five races in two days under beautiful conditions. Four different winners and a difference of only one point between the first-placed Universitas Nova crew and the second-placed Panjić Luka Šangulin shows that the competition in the fleet is increasingly fierce, and the winner is often decided by nuances.
The first day belonged to Luka Šangulin, who in lighter wind conditions was the leader in front of Universitas Nova with two convincing victories, but on the second day the wind picked up a bit, and Bambi and the 'students' made the most of the situation and, after five sailings, lifted the winner's cup in front of the Biograd the crew. The third place on the podium was won by the crew of the boat Razjaren, while in the competition of Corintian (amateur) crews the best was Mataran 24 ahead of Zen and Orage.
"After almost five months of break, we sat down again in our dear Melges. On the first day, we were looking for a bit of rhythm, but we did a great job on the last three sailings, and in a direct battle for the shade, we swam ahead. We are very happy that the story is progressing with the CRO Melges 24 Cup, and we are looking forward to the continuation of the exciting autumn season. Big congratulations to the organizer JK Mornar and all the sailors with whom, together with a lot of little optimists, we painted the sea in front of Split with sails this weekend," said Ivan Kljaković Gašpić.
The next CRO Melges 24 Cup regatta is scheduled from September 30 to October 2 in Split, organized by the Sailing Club Labud.
Ivan Kljaković Gašpić with the Universitas Nova COR567 - Split, Croatia
Panjic CRO739 of Luka Šangulin - Split, Croatia 2022
Razjaren CRO728 of Ante Cesic - Split, Croatia 2022
Mataran CRO383 with Marko Matic at the helm - Split, Croatia 2022
