After last year's premier ClubSwan 36 championship, this is the second time Split proudly hosted of one of the most prestigious regattas in the world, Swan Croatia Challenge 2023. From April 25 to 29, ACI and ACI Sail hosted the race that officially opened this year's regatta calendar of elite nautical competitions, bringing together world's best sailors and visits destinations such as Monte Carlo, Porto Cervo and St. Tropez. That a nautical event of this level is taking place here for the second year in a row confirms that Croatia and Split undoubtedly belong to the very top of the nautical world, equallying some of the most exclusive Mediterranean destinations.

ACI d.d. and ACI Sail brought the Swan Croatia Challenge regatta back to Croatia, in partnership with Nautor's Swan, organized by sailing club Labud, and a special contribution was made by Maritime Faculty in Split’s students who, led by the celebrated Croatian Olympian and ACI’s ambassador, Ivica Kostelić, defended Croatian colors on the competition’s first day. Considering publicity character of this regatta, both for nautical and Croatian sports in general, the competition was followed by Ratko Rudić, expert advisor to Croatian Water Polo Association and celebrated water polo coach, as well as Federico Michetti, head of sports activities at Nautor's Swan, and Pero Vidan, Faculty of Maritime Studies’ dean.

For many years, ACI and the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Split have nurtured quality cooperation in educating students for nautical tourism industry, in the study of Maritime Technology of yachts and marinas, and Prof. Pero Vidan Ph.D., Faculty’s Dean expressed how proud he was that the Faculty participates in this important event. “ACI not only participates in education, but is a welcome employer to our students during the season and provides permanent employment after graduation, so this regatta also confirms this traditional cooperation", he emphasized.

Text: ACI

Photo: Studio Borlengi