Thrilling Finale in Hvar: Razjaren and Ante Ćesić Crowned CRO Melges 24 Cup Winners and Croatian National Champions
4 November 2024 - Hvar, Croatia - Hvar's sun-drenched shores hosted the dramatic climax of the CRO Melges 24 Cup, doubling as the 2024 Open Croatian Nationals. Ideal autumn conditions set the stage for a thrilling competition among Melges 24 top sailors.
After eight races, Ante Ćesić and Razjaren claimed every major Melges 24 title in Hvar. Following their European Championship and Melges 24 European Sailing Series titles in Split, they added the Croatian Championship and CRO Melges 24 Cup to their trophy cabinet. The Ćesić family's Hvar success was further cemented by Ante's brother Stjepan's Corinthian Division Croatian title with Little A.
"It was a dream year for us. Winning the national championship was the hardest part, even harder than the European championship. The final was very tense, with only one point separating us from Mataran 24. We are particularly pleased to have also won the CRO Melges 24 Cup this year as the strongest Croatian sailing competition. Our success on the European racing fields shows how strong and competitive the competition in our series is," emphasized Razjaren's helmsman, Ante Ćesić.
The title of the CRO Melges 24 Cup winner in the Corinthian division went to Davor Jelaca's Blue Label, who added the overall Cup victory to last year's Croatian championship title in the Corinthian division.
"I want to congratulate all the crews who sailed in Hvar and made a real spectacle. Then I take my hat off to the Razjaren crew who achieved sensational successes this year. As for Blue Label, we had an intensive season, from the CRO Melges 24 Cup regattas to the European Series regattas and the European Championship in Split. Thank you to everyone who sailed with us, the crews were diverse and once again thank you to everyone who is trying to make the Melges 24 class in Croatia breathe fully," said Davor Jelača, co-owner of Blue Label.
The excellent results are particularly pleasing to the Croatian Melges 24 Class Association president, Luka Šangulin. The Croatian fleet with 26 Melges is one of the largest in the world, and the crews sailing in the CRO Melges 24 Cup are among the best in the world
"We've truly lived up to our motto, "the best of the best". The Mataran 24 defended their European and world title in the Corinthian division, while the Razjaren is the European champion and winner of the European series, prove that the Adriatic is the place to be for top-level Melges 24 racing. It's a fantastic showcase for Croatian sailing," said Luka Šangulin, president of the Croatian Melges 24 Class Association.
Thanks to the Winds of Hvar project, initiated by the first Hvar Olympian Filip Jurišić with the support of the City of Hvar and the Tourist Board, the sunniest island on the Adriatic has established itself as a fantastic sailing destination. The awards ceremony in Hvar Arsenal was a memorable event. In the oldest European theatre, sailing successes were celebrated in a unique ambience that combines the rich history of the city and the love of the sea.
"This regatta has filled my heart with joy. Since I first found a Melges 24 here on the island, I've dreamed of a regatta in Hvar. I especially want to thank the City of Hvar and the Tourist Board for supporting such a wonderful gathering on land and at sea. I believe that all participants have recognised the special energy of my Hvar and that they are taking beautiful memories with them from the island," emphasised Filip Jurišić.
CRO Melges 24 Cup was supported by partners including Angelina Yacht Charter, Sailing Point Hrvatska, North Sails, One Sails, digital studio Akvarij, regate.com.hr, Raiser digital agency, Dustom Sails, and EmergenSea.
CRO Melges 24 Cup 2024 results
