Anđelka Visković, Split's vice mayor proclaimed the Finn European Championship opened which has scheduled its first race for Tuesday May 11th.
Monday evening on plateau in front of JK Labud, the organizer of this prestigious competition, the opening ceremony was held where in attendance, other than numerous sailors, were and many other sport officials.
CITY DELEGATES
Other than Mrs. Visković, mayor Kerum's delegate, on behalf of the city, sponsor of the Finn EC, opening was attended by Ivo-Goran Munivrana, secretary for the Split Sports Federation, Mario Negotić head of sport for the city of Split, and Croatian Sailing Federation delegation: president Marin Lovrović, head coach Marko Mišura and other members.
Among numerous skippers competing in this competition, at the opening ceremony were present: the three favorites to win, Edward Wright, Rafal Szukiel, Marin Mišura, as well as Torsten Jamstam, Mikael Bandt, Milosz Wojewski, ... also Labud junior representatives: Josip Olujić and Nikola Barić, and entire jury team lead by chairman Robertz Ralph.
TINA RAISED THE FLAG
Ceremony started with the Croatian national anthem performed by klapa Šušur, while Tina Mihelić, Labud member and current European Laser Radial champion raised the national flag. All present were greeted by Mira Boban, club president who once again pointed out the detail which marks this competition:
-We are overjoyed that Split and our championship will be remembered by the record number of skippers and even weather seems to favor us.
Karlo Kuret, top Finn sailor himself, but here in double role as sailor and regatta director stated the following:
- Finn sailors are already concentrated on sailing and are looking forward to first race. It will be the beginning of great battle which will last six days and the outcome is hard to predict. I'm especially happy since Finn class has a great tradition in our club from the first Minski Fabris' European gold over to all his successors.
FINN FUTURE IRREFUTABLE
Especially happy to be back in Split was Hajdu Ballasz, president of the Finn class in the head sailing organization ISAF who stated:
- It is an honor to be back in this beautiful city, to have you once again as hosts to top competition and according to the forecast weather should be excellent for these great sailors. Looking over the entry list one can see the quality of these Finn sailors so the future of this royal class is irrefutable!
As we mentioned before championship was proclaimed open by the vice mayor of the city at the foot of Marjan, Anđelka Visković, who added:
MEDAL STAYS IN SPLIT
- City supports all the sport events that are organized by our clubs and as for sailing, other than great results, we are especially glad by the vision of this sport itself thanks to whom tourist season could be prolonged and with that the future of Croatia as nautical country. As for the European championship itself I’m hoping that the medal, at least one, stays in Split so I'm anxiously waiting for the Sunday when I will give out medals to the best. Hopefully that will be our Bambi, Ivan Kljaković-Gašpić, winner of the city of Split award for the past year, for his sailing and more than successful season.
Many others, not just the vice mayor, are hoping for the medal and prediction was also made by Karlo Kuret who stated that he is uncertain whether anthem of Croatia or Great Britain will be played at the prize giving!
