Hvar, Croatia – 11 to 15 March 2008

The X-41 “X-Cite”, owned by Luka Sangulin, succeeded in winning the fleet racing of the prestigious “Uskrsnja Regata” on the island of Hvar in Croatia. Competition was a very high standard, as the opponents consisted of several IMS optimised boats with top crews including: “Bohemia Express” a GS 42R, winner of last year's Open Croatian IMS Championship; “Quebramar” a Judel Vrolijk 42; JV 37 “Squalo Bianco”; a new Comet 45s; Salona 42 R, with a highly professional crew; an all- purpose built Elan 410; and, last but not least, several other X-Yachts competing in the fleet of 40 yachts.

The start of Race 1 took place at 12:25 in an 8 knot south east wind, south of the port of Hvar. First to cross the finishing line was “Adria Azija”, just in front of “DSK” IMX 45 and “Bohemia Express”. Our X-41 “X-Cite” started well and finished the race 4th on the water. In corrected time “Bohemia” won, ahead of “DSK” and “X-Cite”.

In slightly more wind than the first race and in a very competitive atmosphere, we witnessed a general start recall. The second attempt was more successful, but still with individual recalls. Finishing 3rd on the water behind “Adria Azija” DP 42 and the second IMX 45 in the fleet “Barba Branko”, our “X-Cite” secured its 4th place in corrected time in race 2; and an overall 3rd place, after race day number 1, close behind “Quebramar” and “Squalo Bianco”.

Lack of wind, but very pleasant and sunny weather, was the feature of the first half of the second racing day. Aeolus was a little more generous in the afternoon and made the start of race 3 possible in 10-12 knots.

After a general start recall, the second attempt was successful. However, “X-Cite” had to round the starting boat due to an early start, and lost almost 10 boat lengths. Incredible tactics by Tomo Basic and remarkable VMG, provided by Stipe Vitaljic (trimmer), Tonko Ramesa (helmsman) and the Boat, brought “X-Cite” close enough to its main competitors to score a 10th place in corrected time (8th on the water after being evidently last on starting line).

20-25 knots of Scirocco and sunny conditions made the day two of navigation races a perfect one. The happiest crew after the races from Hvar to Vis and back was the one of X-41 “X-Cite”. With a first and a third, the “X-Cite” crew managed to win the fleet racing part of Uskrsnja Regata with 11 points, a good margin in front of “Quebramar” and “Duh Ultre III” (both 15 points).

Despite the fact that the “X-Cite” crew had to sail the whole regatta with a training Dacron main sail, due to the delay in grand prix sails delivery, the X-41 proved to be a very competitive boat under ORCI.

The new X-37 “Angela-X” owner, Rapo Iljadica, was also satisfied with their performance, scoring a 5th and a 6th place on the last racing day, and securing themselves a 7th place overall. So, for the time being, Rapo decided to postpone the decision on keel modification and concentrate on sailing.

X-Yachts triumph was successfully completed by X-362 “Janska-X”, the winning boat of Group 3, with Dr. Toni Smerdelj at the helm.

X-Yachts Jadran, Slovenia