Kornati Cup 2024 - The cult regatta for unforgettable (regatta) experiences!
published on 15.05.2024
Exactly 80 participating yachts with over 500 sailors from 20 nations on board started at this year's Kornati Cup off Biograd at the beginning of May. The number of teams on the starting line is limited to this, because in addition to the organisation of the races on the water, the evening programme is also important to the sailors and it is all about class rather than quantity. ‘The Kornati Cup is all about sailing, sun, wind, good food and nice conversations both on the jetty and on board, as well as having fun celebrating. Simply an unforgettable time with the crew,’ says Klaus Pitter, explaining the successful concept of the Kornati Cup, which took place for the 23rd time this year. And it's therefore not surprising that the entry list for the following year is always well booked immediately after the Kornati Cup.
Participation is very easy for the crews. Charter a boat in good time or bring your own boat to Biograd, arrive, cast off, set sail and start. That's all it takes to enjoy the regatta. Another plus point for the Kornati Cup: an experienced and professional race committee like at a world championship under the direction of race director Alen Kustic on the water.
The perfect and competent organisation by the Pitter Yachting team on land has been in place for years. Countless helping hands from the Pitter team take care not only of breakfast and the beer in the evening, but also of all the crews' other needs. Quickly replacing a damaged sheet here, helping with mooring there or simply being available to answer questions.
With winds between 8 and 12 knots on the first two days and a strong breeze with gusts of 25 knots towards the end, a total of five races were sailed. The first leg led from Biograd to the island of Sali, the next day back to Biograd with two up-and-down races.
In the single class of the BAVARIA Cruiser 46, the crew of Thomas Rupp from Austria put in an unbeatable performance with four first places and one second place. The result of years of training, as the crew explained at the award ceremony in Biograd's water polo stadium. Like many others, the crew of the Infineon Austria company sports group has been taking part in every Kornati Cup for years.
In the starting group of fast ORC yachts, the new BAVARIA C46 took ninth place out of 31 yachts at the start. It was sailed by a crew consisting of employees from Bavaria Yachts, Elvström and Yachten Meltl. With brand new black XYLO sails from Elvström on board, the BAVARIA C46 impressed on all courses, summarised C46 helmsman Max Trippolt, match race expert from Austria.
Marcus Schlichting from Bavaria Yachts and organiser in the cockpit of the C46 during the Kornati Cup summed up this year's Kornati Cup as follows: ‘The very good sailing performance of the Bavaria C46 in the strong ORC field has fully confirmed our concept. The BAVARIA C46 sails safely and quickly in all conditions. Whether in 30 knots of wind on the wind with a reefed mainsail, or with over 12 knots of boat speed with a gennaker. And with a crew of seven, we also slept and ate comfortably. That makes the Kornati Cup even more fun.’
If you're still interested in regatta sailing in Croatia this year, Pitter Yachting is organising the Croatia Coast Cup in October in addition to the Kornati Cup. www.pitter-yachting.com
