ACI ADRIS Match Race Cup
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The opening ceremony of the 20th anniversary of a yachting regatta ACI Adris Match Race Cup started with the introduction of all captains of the yachting crews, welcoming speeches and music performance by a women's choir „Luka“
Rovinj, May 23rd – 28th 2006
Monday, May 22
Arrivals
8:00 a.m. - Race Office Opening
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Registration
Tuesday, May 23
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. - 10.00 a.m. Crew Weighing
10:00 a.m. Competitor's Briefing
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Practice
5:00 p.m. Competitor's meeting with the Umpires
8:45 p.m. Opening Ceremony
Wednesday, May 24
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Crew Weighing
9:00 a.m. Draw for Boats
11:00 a.m. Racing Day 1
Thursday, May 25
9:00 a.m. Draw for Boats
11:00 a.m. Racing Day 2
Friday, May 26
9:00 a.m. Draw for Boats
11:00 a.m. Racing Day 3
Saturday, May 27
9:00 a.m. Draw for Boats
11:00 a.m. Racing Day 4
Sunday, May 28
9:00 a.m. Draw for Boats
11:00 a.m. Racing Day 5
8:30 p.m. Closing and Awards presentation Ceremony
Monday, May 29
Departures
Daily press conference will be held every day, 45 minutes after the end of the last race.
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The opening ceremony of the 20th anniversary of a yachting regatta ACI Adris Match Race Cup started with the introduction of all captains of the yachting crews, welcoming speeches and music performance by a women's choir „Luka“ from Rijeka and local „Le mond“.
On behalf of the organizers, ACI and Yacht club Croatia, numerous guests were welcomed by Ante Violić, General Manager of ACI, who, while thanking numerous sponsors and hosts – the town of Rovinj and the Tourist Community, used this occasion to mention that at this very spot 20 years ago, this worldly known regatta was born, the name of which, as of this year, is linked with the name of the main general sponsor - Adris Group. It was thanks to them that after 10 years of absence, the regatta came back home to Rovinj.
On behalf of the hotel house “Maistra”, eleven sea lions were greeted by the Deputy General Manager Kristijan Šuštar, while Damir Peteh, the Director of the yachting regatta, wished good wind in sails to the skippers from all over the world.
The group was addressed by one of the best skippers - Peter Gilmour, a five times winner of ACI regattas, who emphasized that during 20 years of regattas in Croatia he always felt great and that the hospitality of the hosts was well known among skippers all around the world.
The honor of the ceremonial opening of ACI Adris Match Race Cup was given to the first man of Rovinj, the Mayor Giovanni Sponza, who among other statements, made a short comment saying: „Our child is back home“
Johnie Berntsson and his Swedish yachting crew won the race
The French crew led by Mathieu Richard came second, and Peter Gilmoure’s from Australia came third. The winner of the 20th ACI Adris Match Race Cup 2006 is a young Swedish skipper Johnie Berntsson, who has beaten the Italian Paola Ciano 3:2 in the semifinals, and the Frenchman Mathieu Rachard in the finals 3:1, whose crew came second.
The first-placed skipper received 20.000 EUR and the second-placed received 10.000 EUR. The Australian crew was third-placed, led by a true sea lion, Peter Gilmour, one of the main favorites of this year’s edition of ACI’s Adris regatta. The fourth-placed was the crew with an Italian skipper Paolo Ciani while the local yacht, which was navigated by a young man from Pula, Dario Kliba, was ninth in a total order.
Johnie Berntsson, did not hide the reasons for his satisfaction.
After all, by getting to the first place and a handful of points, he ensured moving up from his current 20th place on the world ISAF scale of duel-sailing steersmen. Happy and satisfied, he said that he had not hoped for such a high placement, adding that he would remember his fist win at the World Tour for the rest of his life. He celebrated his win by jumping into the sea and having a celebration swim.
The ceremony of awarding diplomas and cups to the most successful yachtsmen completed this year’s 20th edition of ACI Adris Match Race Cup 2006.
The Director of the regatta, Damir Peteh, handed awards to skippers and their crews ranked from eleventh to fourth place. The Mayor of Rovinj, Giovanni Sponza, handed awards to the third placed Peter Gilmour and second-placed Frenchman, Mathieu Richard, while the winning cup was, on behalf of the main sponsor “Adris” group, handed by Kristian Šustar, Deputy Director of “Maistra” Hotel Company to the first-placed crew of a Swedish skipper Johnie Berntsson.
The cup awarding ceremony, which has also officially completed this year’s regatta, took place on the terrace and by the pool of hotel “Park”. The entire event was completed with a documentary on the regatta’s birth and history, lavish fireworks over city and attractive synchronized swimming by members of Rijeka club.
