Yesterday, April 5th, the 32nd Sailing Point Easter Regatta concluded at the Pirat Sailing Club Portorož, once again confirming its status as one of Europe’s most important youth sailing events. Over four days, 499 young sailors from 15 countries tested their skills in diverse wind conditions—ranging from powerful Bora winds to a subtle sea breeze. For the second consecutive year, the overall victory went to Mihael Zobec from the Olimpic Sailing Club Izola.
The regatta kicked off with a strong Bora, with gusts
reaching up to 27 knots, demanding immense endurance and skill from the young
competitors. Following the first day, Race Officer Bojan Gale praised
the young talents: "Every child who managed to sail in such demanding
conditions today is a true hero." As the event progressed, the Bora
was replaced by a moderate and light sea breeze; in these conditions, the tactical prowess
of the young sailors took center stage, alongside the expertise of the Race
Committee, which successfully maximized the potential of the prevailing
conditions.
"We are very satisfied with the number of races
completed by the large fleet of juniors, cadets, and rookies, which was made
possible by the exceptional work of the Race Committee. I am delighted to see
so many clubs faithfully returning to our regatta, while also welcoming new
faces this year who have already confirmed their return. A special thank you
goes to our tireless volunteers, whose hard work and dedication ensured that
the event was once again held at a world-class level," said Mitja Margon,
President of Pirat SC, after the regatta.
The highlight of the event was not only on the water but also at the club. The overall title was defended by Mihael Zobec (JK Olimpic, Slovenia). Second place went to Jonny Seekamp (WVH, Germany), while Elliot Novara (Club Nautique de Versoix, Switzerland) finished third. In the girls' category, the top honors went to Guia Legisa (SVBG, Italy), followed by Irem Arkun (Galatasaray Sailing Club, Turkey) and Maria Waltersdorfer (YCH, Austria). The Sailing Point Easter Regatta Perpetual Trophy for the best club was awarded to the Galatasaray Sailing Club (Turkey).
In addition to the trophies, the closing ceremony
brought a moment of pure joy for Austrian sailor Katharina Breitenstein,
who took home the ultimate Easter gift—a brand-new Exo Boat Optimist.
She secured this valuable prize from the main sponsor, Sailing Point, in
a unique tradition: finding a hidden golden whistle inside her Easter
chocolate egg fromTramontana Chocolatier.
Beyond the competition, the regatta featured a rich
social program with a strong ecological focus. In collaboration with Okolje Piran and Rižanski vodovod Koper, the
club organized a shoreline cleanup and raised awareness about water
conservation. Educational
workshops were organized with the YouSea Institute and the Morigenos
Society, while a live concert ensured a relaxed atmosphere for all
participants.
FINAL RESULTS
Overall Winners:
- Mihael Zobec (JK Olimpic, Slovenia)
- Jonny Seekamp (WVH, Germany)
- Elliot Novara (Club Nautique de Versoix, Switzerland)
Top Girls:
- Guia Legisa (SVBG, Italy)
- Irem Arkun (Galatasaray Sailing Club, Turkey)
- Maria Waltersdorfer (YCH, Austria)
Full results are available at: Racing Rules of Sailing
