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European Champion Matulja secures victory at the prestigious Top IOM Regatta in Croatia. This landmark event, the 20th Rogoznica Cup, showcases the rising international appeal of model yacht racing, featuring 77 competitors from 16 countries over four continents.
The regatta, organized by Sailing Club Val, kicked off with a ceremonial navigation race, showcasing the largest fleet in competition history. A light southwesterly breeze facilitated swift racing, wrapping up the opening day in just two hours. The Open Championship of Croatia unfolded over four days, with the first half dedicated to qualifying rounds and the latter half to fleet racing.
Races were held at two distinct venues to adapt to varying wind conditions, with a particularly intense final day requiring sailors to switch to smaller rigs. Among the entries, 15 sailors from last year’s European Championship gold fleet competed, highlighting the high level of competition. Notably, Luningning Chen, the reigning Asian Champion, made her European debut.
The event also embraced modern technology by streaming live on YouTube, broadening its audience. Despite a few challenges, including a yacht incident, the regatta concluded successfully. The presence of young competitors, such as 10-year-old Hongyu Liu, signals a promising future for the sport.
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