Listen & read
Young Sailors Shine in Montenegro Championship
Moreover, the inaugural J/70 Montenegro Championship showcased the impressive talents of young sailors. Held in Tivat Bay from June 11 to June 14, 2026, this event captivated audiences with thrilling races. The championship gathered seven crews from five different nations, culminating in a significant victory for a youthful local team.
In this national championship, organized by Bora Sailing in collaboration with the Porto Montenegro Yacht Club, all 12 scheduled races were completed. The competition featured crews from Russia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, and the UAE, alongside two teams from Montenegro. This event marked a pivotal moment for competitive sailing in the region, as the J/70 class is relatively new to the local sailing scene.
JK Delfin's Remarkable Achievement
Furthermore, the standout performance came from JK Delfin, the only crew consisting of sailors under the age of 18. After starting the championship in second place, the young team seized control on the final day. Their victory was a remarkable achievement, especially since they had only one training session on the J/70 prior to the event.
All four members of JK Delfin—Ilija Markovic, Andrija Markovic, Andrej Ashnin, and Ivan Vucic—are experienced racers in the ILCA 7 and ILCA 4 classes. "We did hope to win even though we’d had only one training session on the J/70," remarked Andrej Ashnin. Their perseverance and adaptability were key in overcoming their inexperience with the keelboat.
Competitive Spirit and Future Aspirations
In addition, the competition for podium positions remained fierce throughout the championship. Both Burmalda and Almaty ended with equal points, yet Burmalda secured the silver medal based on their superior race wins. "We didn't expect a podium finish as we are still newcomers to the class," stated Dana Kunanbayeva from the Almaty crew.
Looking ahead, the event’s organizers are optimistic about the future of the J/70 class in Montenegro. "We hope more teams will join us next year, allowing us to host high-level events more frequently," said Ivan Gureev from Bora Sailing. This inaugural championship not only highlighted the potential of local sailors but also set the stage for future competitions.
In summary, the J/70 Montenegro Championship was a resounding success, particularly for the young sailors of JK Delfin. Their victory exemplifies the promising future of sailing in Montenegro. To stay on top of all things Sailing, follow Sports-Podcasts.com on YouTube.
Comments (0)