First day of racing was simply perfect, 15 to 20 knots of southerly breeze with big waves was the basis for some spectacular sailing, especially downwind. Pumping flags were hoisted and sailors enjoyed the beautiful conditions that nature provided for the first day of Split Olympic Sailing Week.
Finn, Laser, Laser Radial and RS:X classes sailed two races and RS:X three. Croatian sailors are heading the leaderboard in four of the five classes. The title of the MVP of the day belongs to local heroine, Tina Mihelić, double European champion in the Laser Radial, who scored two bullets at the opening day, showing off the work she had done during Winter. Nobody else managed to have such a perfect day as she did. Tina's strongest opponent is Francisca Clapchich (ITA), currently ranked second.
As expected in the strong fleet of 52 Lasers there was much excitement. The leader of the day is Roleof Bouwmeester (NED), Milan Vujasinović (CRO) won the second race of the day and is therefore ranked second for the time being, while 2010 European champion Tonči Stipanović (CRO) is ranked third, after a day of struggling with a number of small misfortunes, such as seaweed at the rudder.
Two great triple races were seen in the Finn class. From the start Ivan Kljaković Gašpić (CRO), Marin Mišura (CRO) and Vasilij Žbogar (SLO) sailed a race of their own, ahead of the rest of the fleet. It was hard to distinguish who enjoyed it more – the sailors sailing or the spectators admiring their skills. Klajković Gašpić and Mišura each scored a bullet, while Žbogar had to settle for a second and a third place. After two races Kljaković Gašpić, double European champion, sits in the leading position, ahead of Mišura and Žbogar.
The 470s had also an interesting day, especially in the last race when several crews made a mistake and didn't sail the course properly, allowing a young Croatian team Lovro Ivanov and Marko Carić to take the top position after day one. With two wins and a third place Luka Mratović (CRO) is the winner of the day in RS:X class.
We are looking forward to the second day of this exciting event.
