Regatta of boats with lug sails
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U rovinjskim vodama, ispred otoka Katarine i gradske luke održana je treća po redu regata tradicionalnih barki s oglavnim i latinskim jedrom. Regata je, usprkos lošem vremenu, okupila dvadeset i dva broda pristigla iz Slovenije (Izo
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The third traditional lugsail and Latin sail boat regatta was held in the waters surrounding Rovinj, in front of St. Catherine’s Island and the town port. In spite of the bad weather, the regatta gathered twenty-two boats from Slovenia (Izola and Portorož), Italy (Grad and Venice) and the host country represented by crews from the towns of Rovinj and Pula, the island of Rab and the nearby Mošćenička Draga.
Two small batana boats, Fiamita and Calsanta, defended the colors of the town of St. Euphemia. They were constructed in the framework of the project supported by the House of Batana Eco-Museum. Other traditional boats included the gajeta, pasara, bragoca, as well as Venetian sampierota and topa boats. However, what made numerous journalists and news reporters record this truly attractive happening were not the competition results, but the mere exclusiveness and beauty of the event and images. The old vessels attracted attention with their colorful sails. Today, as in the old days, the color of the sail serves as an identifying mark, revealing the owner and the crew of the boat from afar.
The regatta began with a flying start in front of the historic center of the town and the Church of St. Euphemia. After sailing around St. Catherine’s Island, the sailboats continued around the buoy near the Montravo Cape and then made several rounds until the second buoy set in front of the town port.
The traditional regatta, organized by the House of Batana Association and the Maestral Sailing Club in cooperation with the Tourist Board and the Vela al Terzo Association from Venice, began with a musical overture, a performance by Rovinj’s Brass Band and members of the Batana folk ensemble. The regatta was organized under the auspices of the town of Rovinj, whereas the sponsors included the Tourist Board of the Istrian County, Croatian National Tourist Board, Maistra Hotel Company and Rovinj ACI Marina, which accommodated the competing boats. The third traditional lugsail and Latin sail boat regatta was accompanied by an exhibition of batana boat models called Batana Boats from Savudrija to Kvarner by Luciano Keber from iz Rijeka.
