A Dream Start for Champions: Mataran 24 Claims Thrilling Opening Win in Biograd

4 March 2024, Biograd, Croatia -  According to sailing standards, the new season of the CRO Melges 24 Cup kicked off with a perfect start in Biograd on March 1-3. The first regatta of this year, hosted by JK Briva, was blessed with beautiful southern winds that provided phenomenal sailing conditions, and the agile Melges 24s literally flew across the racecourse at speeds exceeding 15 knots.

Mataran 24 of Ivo Matic with Ante Botica helming - Melges24 Biograd 2024 CRO

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The overall victory in the Biograd CRO Melges 24 Cup went to the Mataran 24 crew with helmsman Ante Botica, ahead of Universitas Nova with helmsman Ivan Kljaković Gašpić and Panjić with Luka Šangulin at the helm. 

Panjic of Luka Sangulin (739) ahead of Universitas Nova of Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (760) - M24 Biograd 2024 CRO

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The Trogir crew, the Melges 24 Corinthian World and European champions, secured the victory with a win in the last race. The strength and equality of the competition in Biograd are best shown by the fact that there were four different winners in six races, while the gap between the winner, Mataran 24, and the fifth-placed crew, Point One, was only eight points.

Mataran 24 team - Ivo Matic, Ante Botica, Mario Skrlj, Damir Civadelic, Max Carija- M24 Biograd 2024 CRO

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"During the four years of the CRO Melges 24 Cup, Biograd has proven to be a great host, and the sailing conditions here are always top-notch. After a tough last season in which we won the world title, we decided to take a break from sailing during the winter. It turned out to be a perfect move because we were eager to get back to racing, and we returned to the sea full of motivation and energy," said Damir Civadelić, a member of Mataran 24.

Davor Jelaca, te owner of Blue Label CRO827 - Melges 24 Biograd 2024

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The Blue Label crew of Davor Jelaca recorded their second consecutive victory in the Corinthian division in the CRO Melges 24 Cup. After winning the Croatian championship in 2023 in Trogir, the Opatija crew also won Biograd.

"We are growing from race to race, and the results show it. I think we still have room for improvement, and I hope we can continue at the same pace at the next regatta in Zadar," concluded Davor Jelača, a member of Blue Label.

CRO Melges 24 Cup 2024 Biograd

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The CRO Melges 24 Cup is sailed with the partnership of Angelina Yacht Charter, Sailing Point Croatia, North Sails, One Sails, digital studio Akvarij, regate.com.hr, Raiser digital agency, EmergenSea, and Dustom Sails.

Biograd CRO Melges 24 Cup results: 

1. Mataran 24 – Ante Botica 11 
2. Universitas Nova – Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic 13
3. Panjić – Luka Sangulin 15
4. Razjaren – Ante Cesic 16 
5. Point One – Karlo Kuret 19 
6. Cezibordo – Enia Nincevic 28 
7. Cro-a-Sail – Miroslav Reljanovic 29
8. Amor – Luka Piasevoli 37 
9. Fjonda – Goran Ivankovic 42
10. Blue Label ­– Hrvoje Petrovic 44 COR
11. Little A – Stjepan Cesic 50 COR
12. Sugar Daddy –  Andrej Soos Maceljski 61 COR
13. Tutta Forza – Niko Jakovcev 62 COR
14. Zen – Kolja Dumanic 65 COR
15. Joyrunner – Boris Tomic 66
16. Obi-Wan – Ante Kovacevic 75
17. Palmina – Bojan Vrscaj 78 COR
18. Spooky – Fran Borna Urban 81 COR
19. Ćuf-Ćuf  – Marin Petric 92 COR
20. Hakuna Matata – Luka Smrkinic 95 COR

Full results

Photos by regate.com.hr