Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series Preview: Trogir set to host pivotal second event this weekend

by International Melges 24 Class Association 30 Apr 11:24 PDT May 1–4, 2025

This weekend, May 1-4, the historic coastal town of Trogir in Croatia will host the second event of the 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series. Known for its Outdoor Festival, picturesque waterfront, and as home to the two-time Melges 24 Corinthian World Champions Mataran 24, Trogir is ready to welcome a strong international Melges 24 fleet for what promises to be a high-stakes showdown.

Following a light-wind season opener in Opatija, hopes are high for steadier breeze and more action on the water. Trogir marks the fourth and final event of the 2025 Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup. With national, Cup, and European Series points all on the line, this weekend's regatta will be decisive on every level.

As of now, 22 teams are registered, including seven international crews.

Among them is Michele Paoletti's Strambapapa (ITA), fresh off their victory in Opatija. Also competing is the German-Italian powerhouse Nefeli, skippered by Peter Karrie, winners of the 2025 Bacardi Invitational Regatta in Miami. The British team Zhik Race Team (GBR), led by Miles Quinton with Geoff Carveth on the helm, returns to the Adriatic, while Croatia will welcome for the first time the Hungarian team Hod, skippered by Bujaky Attila.

The Croatian fleet will be out in full force, as all top teams are expected to compete for both the Croatian National Title and the Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup Trophy. Last year, Razjaren, helmed by Ante Cesic, dominated the season, winning the CRO Melges 24 Cup, the national championship, and the Melges 24 European Championship. Their success has clearly motivated their rivals, setting up an unpredictable and competitive finale.

In the current Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup standings, Ivo Matic's Mataran 24 (helmed by Ante Botica) leads with 48 points, just one point ahead of Panjic (Luka Šangulin). Razjaren sits third with 42 points. With double points awarded at the final regatta, everything is still up for grabs.

"We're looking forward to a brilliant regatta in Trogir, with a strong fleet of elite sailors. The overall Cup trophy is the only one missing from our collection, and we hope we can finally bring it home — especially on our home waters," said Ante Botica, helmsman of Mataran 24, a team that proudly holds two Corinthian World titles and two European titles.

Up to nine races are scheduled across three days to determine the season's champions.

Trogir, with its scenic old town and Kamerlengo Tower, once again provides a stunning setting for the regatta. For the third consecutive year, the event will open the Trogir Outdoor Festival, combining elite racing with a vibrant celebration of outdoor sports and culture.

"For the third year in a row, the strongest Croatian sailing series is launching the Trogir Outdoor Festival," said Tudor Bilic, President of the Trogir Sailing Club. "With support from numerous partners, our club continues to raise the bar in organizing top-level events to promote both Trogir and the sport of sailing. The Melges 24 fleet will be moored in front of the Kamerlengo Fortress — bringing the action closer to spectators and celebrating one of Europe's strongest Melges 24 fleets."

Bilic, a decorated Star class sailor with two World Championship silver medals and a European title, highlighted the importance of combining competition with public engagement. As part of the regatta, the Trogir Sailing Club will also organize the Bicerin Festival, featuring creative workshops and live music to further connect the sailing community with the local audience.

The Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup is proudly supported by Angelina Yacht Charter, Sailing Point Hrvatska, North Sails, One Sails, digital studio Akvarij, regate.com.hr, Raiser digital agency, ProMarine, EmergenSea, and Dustom Sails.

More details of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series available at: www.melges24.com/europeansailingseries.

Related Articles

Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point overall
Darby Smith thought his chances of winning the J/22 class were derailed on Friday Darby Smith thought his chances of winning the J/22 class at Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point were derailed during the third race held Friday. That's because the main halyard aboard Tasmanian Devil snapped and the boat was unable to finish. Posted on 14 Apr
45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta highlights
This annual Caribbean celebration has brought together locals, visitors, and world-class sailors The official film of the 45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has just dropped, and it's a vibrant tribute to four and a half decades of sailing, island spirit, and unforgettable "Serious Fun!" Posted on 13 Apr
Trieste to host 2025 Melges 24 Worlds
The first time the event will be held on the Adriatic Sea Trieste, renowned in the sailing world as Italy's City of Sails, is preparing to spend a week as the Capital of the Melges 24 as it gets ready to host the Melges 24 World Championship 2025. Posted on 13 Apr
Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point Day 2
Standings tighten on 'Moving Day' It was moving day at Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point and that's exactly what several skippers and teams did. Posted on 13 Apr
Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point Day 1
Spectacular start with sunny skies, warm temperatures and solid wind Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point got off to a spectacular start on Friday with sunny skies, warm temperatures and solid wind. Competitors on Circle 1 completed four races, while those on Circle 2 got in three. Posted on 12 Apr
158 entries set for Charleston Race Week
18 classes racing at Patriots Point Robin Team has skippered an entry at Charleston Race Week at least 15 times and done so quite successfully. The Lexington, North Carolina resident presented with the Palmetto Cup, awarded to winner of the most competitive handicap class, five times. Posted on 11 Apr
Melges 24s return to Charleston Race Week
Fired up and ready to race at Patriots Point This year's event is not only the third regatta on the prestigious Melges 24 North American Sailing Series, but also marks the 6th event on the Southeast Racing Series, tipping the scales into the 2nd half of the schedule for the popular regional tour. Posted on 8 Apr
2025 Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup concludes
Michele Paoletti's Strambapapa wins season opener The 2025 Melges 24 European Sailing Series officially set sail this weekend with its season-opening event - Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup 2025 Opatija - in the scenic town of Opatija, Croatia. Posted on 6 Apr
Melges 24 European Sailing Series preview
Between now and the Worlds, the road is packed with regattas In just over a week, the Melges 24 European Sailing Series will spring back to life — bringing together teams who've been sharpening their skills on the iconic "winter regatta" courses in Croatia and those who've been soaking up the sun in Florida. Posted on 26 Mar
Zadar welcomes top sailors for CRO Melges 24 Cup
Zadar is set to host the second regatta of Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup Zadar is set to host the second regatta of the prestigious Luki Baustoffe CRO Melges 24 Cup, organized by the Uskok Sailing Club. Sixteen crews, including Croatia's elite sailors and international teams from Italy and Poland, are registered to compete. Posted on 15 Mar
Lloyd Stevenson - AC ETNZ 1456x180px BOTTOMSea Sure 2025Zhik 2024 December