European Champion Matulja triumphs at Top IOM Regatta in Croatia
by JK Val Šibenik 15 Apr 07:37 PDT
9-12 April 2026
20th Rogoznica Cup © Hrvoje Duvancic / www.regate.com.hr
Rogoznica served as the epicenter of elite model yacht racing from April 9 to 12, hosting the landmark 20th Rogoznica Cup, the Open Championship of Croatia for the IOM class.
Organized by Sailing Club Val, with support from the Municipality of Rogoznica and the Rogoznica Tourist Board, the prestigious regatta attracted 77 competitors from 16 nations spanning four continents, cementing its international standing and growing appeal.
The event opened Thursday with a ceremonial navigation race divided into three legs. The roughly three nautical mile course brought 46 yachts to a joint start, the largest fleet in the competition’s history. Aided by a light southwesterly breeze, competitors completed the full course swiftly and efficiently, with the entire event wrapping up in approximately two hours.
The centrepiece of the programme, the Open Championship of Croatia, was contested across all four days. The fleet was split into four groups, with the first two days dedicated to qualifying and the final two to fleet racing. During qualifying, groups were reshuffled based on results, while final groupings remained fixed through to the conclusion.
Racing took place at two separate venues, selected according to wind direction. Day one and day four saw action at a location suited to westerly and south easterly winds, while days two and three featured stable southwesterly conditions at the reserve course in the old harbour. Light wind sails prevailed for most of the regatta, though a stronger breeze on the final day forced competitors to adapt and switch to smaller rigs.
Competition was fierce and racing unpredictable throughout. The entry list included no fewer than 15 sailors from the gold fleet of last year’s European Championship, underlining the event’s exceptional competitive standard. Particular attention was drawn to Luningning Chen, the reigning Asian Champion, who made her debut on European waters.
Organisers once again broadened the event’s reach by streaming racing live on YouTube, making the regatta accessible to audiences worldwide.
Despite intense competition and occasionally challenging conditions, only one serious incident was recorded. During one race, a yacht suffered damage when its fin detached. Fortunately, the situation had a happy resolution thanks to a sportsmanlike gesture by Marina Frapa, whose official diver successfully recovered the lost component, allowing the competitor to continue racing.
This year’s edition also saw a notably stronger presence of young sailors, an encouraging sign for the future of the sport. The 20th Rogoznica Cup reaffirmed Rogoznica’s rightful place among Europe’s premier radio controlled sailing destinations, combining world class organisation, attractive conditions, and true international sporting spirit.
Results, 20th Rogoznica Cup:
1. Robert Matulja – CRO 33 (JK Opatija)
2. Zvonko Jelacic – CRO 35 (JK Zenta)
3. Marko Matic – CRO 04 (JK Trogir)
Group Winners:
- Silver Group: Matthias Patzer – GER 188 (VdMYS)
- Bronze Group: Marin Bizjak – CRO 05 (JK Mornar)
- Emerald Group: Graham Lewis – GBR 24 (Chelmsford)
Special Categories:
- Top Female Sailor: Luningning Chen – CHN 912 (Asian Champion)
- U16: Zhang Zhenkun – CHN 03 (Hoist the Sails)
- U25: Tonko Puljiz – CRO 40 (JK Zenta)
- Master: Elio Cavallo – ITA 13 (Circolo Nautico Cesenatico)
- Grand Master: Jari Heiskanen – SWE 09 (SS Kaparen)
- Great Grand Master: Fabio Barindelli – ITA 54 (Lega Navale Italiana)
- Legend Category: Chuck Millican – BER 21 (Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club)
- Navigation Race Winner: Jan Springer – POL 100 (JKM Roda Gdynia)
Youngest Competitor: Hongyu Liu – CHN 72 (Shanghai Yangfan Club), age 10.
