From the 20th – 22nd October 2017, the 73rd annual Vis Regatta will take place.
Mama Mia who? This weekend it is 'move over Hollywood' as the 73rd annual Vis Regatta takes place, a highlight on the Vis yearly calendar. The Labud Sailing Club from Split in conjunction with the Vis Sailing Club traditionally organise the regatta which has become one of the most prestigious and famous regattas on the Adriatic.
Every year more than 150 yachts with over 1,000 yachtsmen hit the water to take part in the regatta. Some come with their own yachts and crew, others charter a yacht with or without crew – many have no actual experience racing but love the atmosphere of being part of a regatta, so organise a skipper and crew to join the action. While racing experience is not necessary and the skill-level varies wildly between boats, you better believe that anytime a sailor (or sailor at heart) gets on the sea, his competitive streak will always take over.
October typically signals the end of the season along the Adriatic coast but for this weekend, Vis gets back that summer energy with over a thousand yachtsmen and even more coming just to be a part of the atmosphere and join in on the rich entertainment program that the Vis Tourist Board provides. And, the weather looks like it is going to cooperate and give everyone a last hit of summer with temperatures in the mid-twenties!
Credit: Tash Pericic
If you have never been on a regatta like this, just think fešta – food, music, vino, more food and of course, racing is what it’s all about. Restaurants throughout Vis town are packed to the brim (one of the busiest days of the year) and most, put on a special menu for the occasion as serving masses on an ‘a la carte’ menu is not ideal. So, traditional dishes are prepared in the pot-full, particularly a Vis specialty ‘fažol na brujet' which is basically a bean minestrone.
The Program
- Friday, October 20th: boats set sail from Split to Vis around 9 am. Upon arrival, there is an afternoon party organised or competitors have free time.
- Saturday, October 21st: Free time in Vis, Regatta in the port of Vis
- Sunday, October 22nd: A return to Split from Vis, 10 am, with prizegiving that evening in ACI Marina Split
One of the great aspects of the regatta is that there is free-time which participants or spectators use to enjoy the island of Vis to its full potential (read 25 Things to know about Vis here), walking around the beautiful streets of Vis town or even renting scooters or cars to get panoramic views of the island and exploring Komiža.
Credit: Tash Pericic, view over Vis town
Whether people come for the sailing, the atmosphere or to reunite with old friends, it is always a fantastic weekend.
Good luck to all the sailors and “Mirno More”.
Source information: TZ Vis
