Sails of Firm Friendship

ROVINJ – Several festive events took place two nights ago in the connection with the 20 th anniversary of the biggest and longest-lasting cross-Adriatic regatta Rovinj – Pesaro – Rovinj. The Native Museum of the Town of Rovinj organized an exhibition in celebration of the anniversary. It was opened by Damir Peteh, a top sailor and president of the local sailing club Maestral – Ronhill, a club which organizes this regatta in cooperation with Lega Navale Italiana from Pesaro . Numerous guests and important people were present at the opening along with the participants of the regatta. Mayor of Rovinj Giovanni Sponza attended the opening with his guest Vice-mayor of Pesaro Ilaro Barbanti. The exhibited trophies, photographs and excerpts from both Croatian and Italian newspapers reminded of the 20-year history of the regatta that has brought the two Adriatic coasts closer together.

A concert of the Brass Band of Rovinj was held at the Marshall Tito Square also in celebration of the anniversary. All three majorette-groups danced to the sounds of the band music. The festivities continued with the presentation of awards and trophies for crossing the Adriatic , and a special regatta, organized yesterday for this occasion around the islands of Rovinj. The sailors and their guests gathered in the tent built for this occasion at the town square where they were entertained by the music of the Dream Project.

The regatta under the name of “Na ruti trabakula” (“On the Route of Trabakul”), dedicated to the tradition of crossing the Adriatic Sea, and connecting the two coasts by these ancient merchant-sailing ships, came into being in 1985 when there were 27 sailing boats participating. Year after year this number grew bigger. Last year’s record of 80 participants was broken this year with 86 registered participants 18 of which were Croatian sailing boats. The advantage of the wind and the sailing skills were best used by skipper Edoardo Ziccarelli from Pesaro who sailed across the Adriatic Sea twice for a little bit more than 19 hours on his sailing boat “Moonshine” in 2002. The fastest one-way cross-Adriatic sailor was the Slovene olympic sailor Mitja Kosmina who sailed across the Adriatic in 7 hours.

Along with its competitive spirit, the regatta has from the beginning had an important social meaning. It grew out of an old tradition of the two towns that were, in time of old merchant-sailing ships, among the most significant maritime and fishing centers of the two coasts of the Adriatic . Many friendships were made during sailing voyages, and many citizens of Pesaro come to Rovinj for vacation. The town of Pesaro helped Croatia during the Homeland War with numerous humanitarian donations. The regatta was held even during the war as a symbol of solidarity. The centuries-old friendship was crowned in 1999 when the ports of the two towns were proclaimed ‘brother ports’.

The sponsors of this year’s regatta are the Marche Region, Pesaro Urbino Province , Town of Pesaro , The Tourist Association and the Town of Rovinj .

A. POKRAJAC, Glas Istre

TURISTIČKA ZAJEDNICA ROVINJ COMUNITA' TURISTICA DI ROVIGNO