Italians win first European series regatta, Panjić takes third place

The victory of the Italian crew Strambapapa in Ičići concluded the first regatta of the Melges 24 European series calendar this year, which was also the third stop of this year's strongest Croatian sailing competition, the Luka Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup. Second place was won by another Italian crew – Taki 4, while third place went to the Croatian crew – Panjić.

The Kvarner spectacle under sail, organized by Yacht Club Croatia, gathered 24 crews from seven countries (Croatia, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Great Britain and Poland) in the ACI Marina Opatija.

On Friday and Saturday, the sailors were not very lucky with the wind, due to unstable conditions, only two sailings were held in the early morning Volosca Tramuntana, and due to a strong bora on Sunday, the Melges 24 fleet remained moored in the ACI Marina Opatija.

"Although the wind was not very good for us, so we only managed to sail two races, we are satisfied with the third place we won at the opening of the European Series in Opatija. Now we turn to the regatta in Trogir, which carries a double challenge: the national championship and the next stage of the European Series Melges 24. Regattas like this, where many foreign crews sail, are great preparation for the World Championship, which will be held in Trieste in September", said a member of the third-placed Panjić crew Tomislav Bašić.

Photo: www.regate.com.hr