Alessio Lidozzi previews the upcoming Thousand Islands sailing race, featuring contestants from fourteen countries. Lidozzi explains why this race is special and provides a look at this year's competitors.

1. SAILING SHOWCASE
THE THOUSAND ISLANDS RACE
By Dr. Alessio Lidozzi

2. We are about halfway
through the month of
September, which means it
is time for some of the most
exciting regattas in the
Adriatic Sea to begin! Three
of the best Adriatic races
take place in the next
month: the Barcolana in
October that leaves from
Trieste, Italy; the Mrduja leaving from Split, Croatia; and, one of my
favorites, the Thousand Islands race leaving from Rijeka, Croatia. All
three are very exciting, but the scenery and navigational
independence offered in the Thousand Islands race make this a
must-see.

3. Lasting from September 18 until September 28, this race provides
plenty of freedom to this year’s competitors. While the route, at the
most basic level, goes from Rijeka, Croatia to Porto Montenegro in
Tivat, Montenegro and back, the boats can choose to do the first leg,
the second leg, or both. A 300-mile, off-shore trip each way, captains
will have the ability to use their best judgment in choosing a route.
Needless to say, there are many choices to be made: as you might
have guessed from the name, there are over one thousand islands on
this route.

4. In addition to navigating these islands, competitors will also have to take
Adriatic winds and currents into account and decide whether they will
maintain a higher speed by traveling far from shore or further in. Some of
the more notable destinations passed on this race are Unije, Premuda,
Vis, and Lastovo, ending in the beautiful Boka Kotorska Bay, which dates
back to the 2nd Century B.C.

5. Last year, in its first occurrence, the Thousand Islands race featured
twelve competitors representing nine nations. Skipper Martin Josza of
Hungary was victorious in his Reichel Pugh 60 ‘Wild Joe’, followed by
Berislav Vranic of Croatia in the Millenium 40 ‘Damaco’ and Goesta
Pongratz of YC Austria in ‘Hidra’, a Hidra 54.

6. This year, the increased interest
in the race is readily apparent,
as there are currently
twenty-one entrants
representing fourteen countries,
including last year’s Top Three.
As of today’s date, this year’s
competitors hail from
(in alphabetical order): Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany,
Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, Russia, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

7. With a returning champion and a bevy of islands to enjoy, this year’s
Thousand Islands race is shaping up to be a great event with a spectacular
finish. Prizes for the first leg will be awarded on Wednesday, September
24th and the Final/second leg prizes will be awarded on Saturday,
September 28th.