The Kornati Cup 2024 – a look back
Excitement, community and unforgettable experiences
This year’s Kornati Cup was an event full of exciting competitions, team spirit and adventurous moments. In this report, we take you on a journey through the daily challenges of the participants on the regatta course and the diverse supporting program. This year’s event once again inspired with an excellent atmosphere and rousing celebrations, making the Kornati Cup one of the best of its kind for many crews.
Opening and start of the regatta
After a successful opening ceremony at the Aquacenter Biograd on Sunday, the first race started on Monday in light winds of 7-8 knots, with a navigation race to Sali. To make regatta sailing with charter boats even more attractive, two new groups were introduced this year: the ORC Pitter charter class with and without spinnaker. These also opened the first race at 11:30 a.m. at Gnalic with a south/south-westerly wind. Other groups followed at 10-minute intervals. The race proved to be particularly challenging, as the westerly wind only established itself as the day progressed and the crews had to find the best wind fields between the islands on the way to Sali. Patience and good observation were crucial, as the field kept shuffling and the race remained exciting until shortly before the harbor entrance in Sali. However, the gennaker and spinnaker sailors had to leave their sails below deck on this day, as there were no room sheet or downwind courses.
The first sailing day ended successfully for all participants, who reached the finish line by 17:00 and were welcomed with a delicious goulash.
Afterwards, a big gin and tonic party was held at the Pitter Yachtcharter Racing Team’s yacht, to which everyone was invited. The team took the opportunity to present the new Dufour 41, which is planned to be the new unit class at the Kornati Cup next year. The evening ended in a relaxed atmosphere at the Cafe Bar Maritimo, where the day was brought to a close to the sounds of a saxophone player.
The second day of the regatta: patience was required
Tuesday began quietly, as there was no wind and the start of the regatta had to be postponed. The participants enjoyed breakfast in idyllic Sali in glorious sunshine. After the award ceremony from the previous day, the crews made their way back to Biograd. The first group, the pitter charter class without spinnaker, started at 13:05. However, as the wind was not strong enough, the race was eventually abandoned.
The participants continued their journey under motor until the wind finally picked up and made two exciting races possible. The mood rose with every gust of wind and at 15:30 the sailors were able to start the first race in 7-8 knots of wind. Initially, they sailed an up-and-down course over two laps, with the wind steadily increasing from the south. Thanks to ideal sailing conditions of 11-12 knots, the race committee decided to hold another race to ensure that enough races could be held in case no start was possible on Wednesday. The day ended with a convivial sailors’ dinner in Biograd, where a well-deserved end to an eventful day of sailing was celebrated with beer on tap.
The biggest challenge at the end of the Kornati Cup 2024
On Wednesday, the sailors continued their route from Biograd to Zut.
After breakfast in the marina restaurant, the usual skipper briefing was skipped in order to be able to start earlier in view of the forecast strong southerly winds with gusts of up to 30 knots.
The start took place in the Pasman Canal in the direction of Zut.
As the southerly wind increased, the race became very challenging and demanded everything from the participants.
Due to the tough conditions, some equipment was damaged and many crews decided not to set their sails.
Despite the challenges, the day was a complete success.
After arriving in Zut, accompanied by light rain, the crews were welcomed with a traditional Croatian risotto for dinner.
🍲 From 21:00, the Elvstrøm and Yachten Meltl Cuba Libre party began on the new BAVARIA C46, which celebrated its regatta premiere at the Kornati Cup and could be viewed by the participants.
Throwback to a Great Thursday
On Thursday, the day started after breakfast with the traditional dish “Štrukli”, followed by a skipper briefing and the award ceremony of the previous day. Based on Wednesday’s experience, the regatta management decided to motor around the island from Zut and then start in the channel between Zut and Kornat, where the swell was less, making it easier to cross.
The fifth and final race of the regatta was a typical coastal race that led back to Biograd. With a wind of 25 knots from the southwest, which died down towards the evening, the day developed into a wonderful day of sailing. Shortly before Gangaro, the yachts set their gennakers and spinnakers and sailed on a wonderful downwind and room sheet course to the finish line, creating a magnificent picture at the end of a perfect regatta.
Closing ceremony of the Kornati Cup 2024
The festive finale took place at the Aquacenter Biograd with the award ceremony. Despite the light rain, which caused those present to move closer together, the atmosphere was excellent. The sense of togetherness, shaped by the days spent together, was palpable. With an exuberant party and rocking music from the DJ, the celebrations continued into the early hours of the morning.
The start of the 2024 sailing season
The 23rd edition of the cult regatta, organized by Pitter Yachtcharter, took place from 27.04. until 02.05.2024.
In the video we look back on an unforgettable time and would like to say thank you! Thank you to all participants, organizers, our sponsors, all supporters and helpers of the Kornati Cup 2024.
The Kornati Cup is an event for all sailing enthusiasts, whether you are a beginner or an experienced regatta sailor. Thanks to the different groups, there is something for every Crew. There is also plenty of fun on land: live bands and DJs provide the right party atmosphere in the evening.
The sporting part consists of a good mix of short and medium distance races through the beautiful and navigationally very interesting Kornati archipelago! The Kornati Cup is intended to combine the fun of racing with the social part and we want to bring the participants closer to the beautiful landscape of the Kornati archipelago.
Be part of the Kornati Cup 2025!
Cruise report Whale Symphony
Pitter Yachtcharter
