On Wednesday 13th September 2017, the Laser Class World Championship was officially opened on Split’s Riva. The event is attended by 148 sailors from 52 countries and is the most significant sporting event to be held in Split.
The Mayor of Split, Andro Krstulović Opara opened the world championship and noted that Split has proven many times that she is an excellent host of sports competitions, reported Splitski Dnevnik.
“It is natural that the World Class Laser Sailing is held in Split because sailing is one of the fundamental sports of our city, Tonči Stipanović of Split Mornar won the silver medal at the Olympics last year in Rio de Janeiro.”
Croatian Sailing Federation President Zlatko Taritaš, pointed out that Split is a city of sports athletes – “In Croatia and worldwide sailing charts, Split has been included as a sailing town and I am sure that will be confirmed by the World Championship hosted by Split.”
Deputy Mayor of the Split-Dalmatia county Luka Brčić said the Laser Standard Class World Championship is “the most significant sporting event in Croatia for 2017. We are happy to have such an important sports competition in Split and Split-Dalmatia County.”
From the Croatian sailors, silver medallist Tonči Stipanović, Tonko Kuzmanić, Mario Novak, Alek Cvinar, Dominik Perković, Marin Mandić and winner of the Mornar Grand Prix from the week before – Filip Jurišić.
It is predicted that along with the three medallists of last year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro – Tom Burton with Gold, Stipanović with silver and Bronze Sam Meech; Nick Thompson and Pavlos Kontides are also in good standings for a place in this year World Championship.
The Laser Sailing World Championship will take place in the Split channel from September 14th – 18th and on September 19th will be the final competition and winner announcements.
Following on from this the Laser Masters Championship will be held in Split from September 24th – 30th, with more than 300 sailors from 30 countries.
Good luck to all competitors, we look forward to following the event!
Translated from Splitski Dnevnik.
