Rijeka, the ancient Mediterranean port city with cosmopolitan atmosphere, today welcomed the multinational Esimit Sailing Team for the occasion of its first participation in the Thousand Islands Race.

The reception, held by the City of Rijeka and the Esimit Europa project on this occasion, took place at the Maritime and History Museum in Rijeka. Vojko Obersnel, mayor of the City of Rijeka, and Igor Simčič, founder of the Esimit Europa project, welcomed the guests representing the diplomacy and business world of Slovenia and Croatia, who attended the reception. The mayor of Rijeka Vojko Obersnel also sailed on board the Esimit Europa 2 before the reception.

At this occasion, the founder of the Esimit Europa project Igor Simčič said: “We are more than a sailing project. We connect cities, countries, and people. This event along with the Thousand Islands Race reflect the mission of our project, and for that reason we are honored to be here and we would like to thank the Mayor again for inviting us.”

The Esimit Sailing Team,  with the extraordinary achievements of the Esimit Europa 2 yacht, which is sailing under the European flag, and with their mission of connecting people throughout Europe, was introduced at the event. The Esimit Sailing Team is composed of 18 highly skilled sailors from 11 different nations who inspire the sailing values of teamwork, solidarity, innovation and collaboration – among them as the only Croatian representative is also one of Croatia’s best sailors – Ivan Kljaković Gašpić, European and World Champion in various sailing classes and recipient of the title Croatia’s “Athlete of the Year”, who has just returned from the World Championship in sailing, where he won a silver medal in the Finn Class.

The reception was organized under the patronage of Ivo Josipović, President of the Republic of Croatia.