| RIJEKA, CROATIA-(16-6-2004) It is only 3 days before the start of VIP IMS Mediterranean Championship,
probably most important IMS event on Adriatic.
VIP IMS Mediterranean Championship is organised under high patronage of Mr
Stjepan Mesic, President of Republic of Croatia and co-patronage of
Primorsko-goranska County, City of Rijeka, Town of Cres Tourist Association
of Priimorskao-goranska County, Tourist Association of Town Cres and Port
Authorites of Cres. The organiser is Sailing Club of Rijeka and co-organiser
Sailig Club Reful Cres.
At the same time European Championship for Este 24 will be organised and
twenty boats will take part. They will sail 8 races (windward-leeward
course) on separate race course from Thursday 24th June to Sunday 27th June.
50 racing boats from Austria, Check Republic, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.
Best sailors, participants of biggest international regattas from European
and world championships, Olympics and America's Cup will sail in Cres. In 7
days 5 races on windward-leeward courses are scheduled and offshore 120
miles long race Cres-Male Srakane-Rovinj-Cres that will be scored as two
races, one from start to Rovinj and another from start to Rovinj and back to
finish in Cres.
List of entries is impresive:
- Sixty Group is last year IMS World Champion
- Sagola is second on this year IMS Word Championship and 5th in Group C at
European Championship > Europskom prvenstvu u Grupi C
- Mauro Pelaschier will helm Igienstudio Shaule, helmsman of legendary
Italian Azzura on America's Cup
- From Chilee Hasta Siempre 3 entered - the biggest boat of regatta Farr 53
top racing machine of class IMS 50
- Austrian Equinoxe 2 with Rene Mangoldom is actual IMS Champion of Austria
- Check Polae is the winner of this year Croatia Cup and best Check IMS
boat.
- Eureka is actual IMS Champion of Slovenia
Croatia will be represented by best IMS helmsmen and yachts:
- Darko Hajdinjak will be at the helm of new X-43 Karuba
- Igor Lukanovic is with his Termag Magic leading helmman of VIP IMS ranking
list
- DSK of Darko Keser is in last 5 years always on top of Croatian sailing
and is currently leading in Yacht Sport Cup
- Ivica Scuric is participating with his Follow Us Opatija IMS project of
Giovanni Cecarelli
- Robert Sandalic from Zadar's Uskok transfered from legendary club's Gringo
to new Gringo 2 - Archaumbault 40
- Toni Smerdelj comes from Split with Janskom X, winner of IMS regatta in
Cres in 2002.
- Martina Ronjga is leading the all women crew on Wilma's Electrolux
The biggest boat on regatta is Hasta Siempre Farr 53 length 15.90 m, and
smallest is Termag Express of 7.70 m. Average fleet age is only 4 years, and
total
value of entered boats is estimated over EUR 10 millions.
IMS is International Measurement System. Sailing Club of Rijeka, by choosing
this well established internationally recognised rating system to
organise its regattas, is trying to connect Croatian sailing to
international sailing streeam. Besides racing, during the competition
variety of entertainment is planned,
starting with opening ceremony on Sunday 20th June with coctail party
onboard yacht `Sfera` in Cres harbour and programme on Fran Petric square in
Cres. Monday 21st is reserved for Sailor's party inb ACI Marina Cres. Major
of Cres is inviting to dinner VIP guests, sponsors and judges the following
day. Wednsday is reserved for quartet Sensitive performance, Thursday is
planned for fashino show presenting Gill sailing wear. On Friday
participants may enjoy some ethno-gastonomic experiences. Prize giving is on
Saturday 26th June on Cres town main square. >
Enclosed is accreditation form for journalists wishing to follow racing.
Daily reports will be sent to you by e-mail, results and photographs you may
find on our web site
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