Split officially became the host city of the FISU World University Sailing Championship tonight, as the competition was opened with a ceremony in the unique setting of Diocletian’s Cellars, bringing together top student sailors from 15 countries and four continents.
The opening ceremony brought together athletes, coaches, judges, representatives of the university and sports communities, state, county and city institutions, numerous distinguished guests, as well as volunteers who will play an important role throughout the championship.
“There is no better location than Split for this competition, which will bring together sailors from 15 countries across four continents. This championship is more than just a sporting competition – it is a combination of sport, sea, education and different cultures, all coming together in the most beautiful city in the world, with this event representing another step on the road towards the 2028 European Universities Games,” was highlighted at the opening ceremony.
Participants in the championship come from Australia, Austria, Canada, Czechia, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, Singapore and Croatia. The championship brings together around 150 participants representing 40 universities.
Following the presentation of the national teams, Deputy Mayor of Split Ivo Bilić and FISU Executive Committee member Marko Žunić addressed the guests, after which the championship was officially opened by Vice-Rector and newly elected Rector of the University of Split Nikola Koceić-Bilan.
World and European champions at the start
This year’s championship has attracted a highly competitive international field, including athletes with experience of winning medals at world and European championships. Among the leading competitors is Vittorio Bonifacio of Italy, the current junior world and European champion, while Spain is represented by Paula Laiseca Bueno, a 2022 world champion and world championship silver medallist.
Croatia will be represented, among others, by Roko Stipanović, Croatian national champion with extensive international experience, and Nika Manestar, who also has an impressive record of international competition.
From Diocletian’s Cellars to the waters of Split
The opening ceremony in Diocletian’s Cellars marked the beginning of the championship, but the main action is still to come – sailing in the waters of Split.
The competition will take place from 28 September to 2 October, with the final races, medal ceremony and closing ceremony scheduled for the final day.
The championship is held with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the City of Split, Split-Dalmatia County, the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the Croatian Sailing Federation, Sailing Club Mornar, the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Split, the Croatian Academic Sports Federation, the Split Academic Sports Federation, the Students’ Union, the Student Centre and the University of Split, together with the championship’s partners and friends.
Split is ready, the sails are up, and the World University Sailing Championship can begin.
3 Oct
