The second spring regatta of the CRO M24 Cup is set to unfold off the coast of Zadar this weekend, running from 13 to 15 March, with an estimated 15 to 20 crews lined up on the starting line based on the latest entry list. Forecasters are predicting favorable conditions with ample wind throughout the weekend, raising hopes that the full racing schedule will be completed. The event, officially known as the Zadar CRO Melges 24 Cup, is being hosted by its traditional organizer, Sailing Club Uskok.
Anticipation is especially high after the opening spring event of the CRO M24 Cup in Biograd two weeks ago ended without a single race being sailed due to a total absence of wind. That marked a first in the six-year history of the CRO M24 Cup — no event had ever gone raceless before. As a consequence, every crew heading to Zadar is hungry to finally hit the water and start the season in earnest.
The fleet promises to be fiercely competitive, with all of Croatia’s top Melges 24 teams expected to take part alongside several formidable international entries. Among the visiting crews is the Norwegian team aboard Party Girl, skippered by Jens Wathne, a former president of the International Melges 24 Class Association. Italian team Strambapapa, helmed by Michele Paoletti, has already arrived in Zadar, while Paolo Brescia and his crew on Melgina have also confirmed they will be on the start line.
Two Šibenik-based crews who make periodic appearances in the CRO M24 Cup have signed up as well: She, steered by Ana Gojčeta, and Amor Wave, with Teo Piasevoli at the helm.
In a particularly welcome development, three U25 teams will be racing in Zadar, injecting youthful energy into the fleet. Panjić Jr., skippered by Lucijan Jakovljev, Otavić, with Edo Fike on the tiller, and Cro-a-sail, co-helmed by Matija Reljanović and Roko Stipanović, will all be competing.
A total of 19 crews had entered the Biograd event, and CRO M24 Cup organizers anticipate similar numbers for Zadar.
Race Committee Chairman Marko Mišura expressed optimism about the upcoming weekend. “We are expecting a pleasant southerly breeze and hoping for vastly better sailing conditions than what we experienced two weeks ago in Biograd. Uskok is an extremely well-run club, and the local coordinator is Tomislav Bašić, who crews aboard Panjić, so we are confident that everything on shore and on the water will be organized to the highest standard. Everyone is eager to finally get some Melges 24 racing underway this season,” he said.
Looking ahead, the next stop on the calendar is the CRO M24 Cup regatta in Opatija, scheduled from 9 to 12 April. That event will double as the opening round of this year’s Melges 24 European Sailing Series, which is expected to draw a large contingent of international competitors launching their bids for the European Series title.
The CRO Melges 24 Cup is made possible through the support of its partners: Luki Baustoffe, Angelina Yacht Charter, Sailing Point Hrvatska, North Sails, One Sails, Akvarij digital studio, Raiser digital agency, ProMarine, Dustom Sails, and Smartmotion.
