The Zadar archipelago hosted 42 sailboats in a humanitarian mission

The spring weekend in the heart of Dalmatia was marked by the 24th edition of the most famous humanitarian regatta "Sails Against Drugs". 42 crews with more than 300 participants from 15 countries of the world sailed through the Zadar archipelago, all in the common mission of fighting addiction and helping those who need us.

The participants of the Sails against drugs regatta in Biograd's Marina Kornati came from Estonia, Switzerland, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia and other countries. These great humanitarians are also businessmen and real sailing enthusiasts who have been preparing for coming to the Regatta for a long time.

One of the participants in this year's regatta that attracts special attention is Andreas Andy Meklau, a legend of Austrian motorcycling, the most famous Austrian superbike rider of all time and one of the most awarded superbike racers in Europe. McLaugh is a big fan of Croatia, so he and his wife Patrizia Milani live between Istria and Austria, and he is sailing for the first time in his life at the Lions Regatta with Sails Against Drugs.

"I am very excited because I am sailing for the first time in my life. In Istria, where I live, I have a small boat, and sailing is a real thrill and challenge for me. There are 11 of us on our sailboat, we get along really well and have fun", said Andreas Andy Meklau and added:

"I love Croatia very much, I live with my wife between Pula and Austria. What delights me in this country are the sea, the sun, great people and great food. I am very proud to be a part of this Regatta, which, as a significant Lions project, sends a message about the extreme importance of learning and guiding younger generations on the right path in life."

The largest European humanitarian Lions regatta "Sails against drugs" this year got its new marina, Marina Kornati in Biograd na moru, but also an additional humanitarian mission. Part of the collected funds is intended for the victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Turkey, which killed more than 50 thousand people and left more than 1.2 million people homeless.

"Incited by the tragic events in Turkey, we decided to direct part of the collected funds towards them and thus help those who really need it most at this moment," said the governor of LD 126 Croatia, Alek Konić, and added:

"The participants are enthusiastic about the Zadar archipelago and our country, which makes us proud and motivates us to repeat such projects year after year. It is undoubtedly a beautiful showcase for both Lions International and our LD 126 Croatia, and with the participation of so many countries, this project also affects the visibility of our country abroad."

The traditional humanitarian regatta of the Sails Against Drugs of the Year has become a real symbol of drug prevention and helping the needy, which in the past 24 years has collected more than two million kuna and financed more than 30 different associations and institutions dealing with drug addiction prevention. In addition to its humanitarian significance, the Sailing Against Drugs Regatta has been promoting Croatia as a beautiful and interesting tourist destination for several years. It significantly contributes to the visibility of Croatia and the credibility of the work of the Croatian Lions among the Lions of Europe.