In a superb atmosphere in front of Croatian Rowing Club, Gusar, on Saturday, May 9, in Spinut, first competition day of the 24th International Rowing Regatta Sveti Duje - one of the most prestigious university rowing competitions in Europe that has successfully connected top-level sport, academia and international cooperation for more than two decades - took place.
This year's edition brought together 28 elite student crews from all over Europe, and special attention was drawn by traditional participants and biggest rivals of student rowing - Oxford and Cambridge.
In women's competition, Oxford students celebrated, continuing their impressive winning streak after historic success at this year's Boat Race on the Thames, where they won for the first time in ten years. Oxford also came to Split with a strong team led by current national team members, Heidi Long and Esther Briz Zamorano, which confirms quality and international level of this year's regatta. Second place was won by Cambridge female students, while the bronze medal went to University of Zagreb students.
Men's competition was as exciting. After qualifying races, an exceptionally dynamic final followed, in which Cambridge once again demonstrated the quality of current Boat Race winners and defended last year's title at Sveti Duje Regatta. Oxford finished the race in second place, while University of Split’s crew won bronze after a dramatic finale and photo finish, causing great enthusiasm among the local audience. Current European university champions from University of Tartu followed.
The competition program opened with the premiere of Croatian Student Championship, with participation of University of Rijeka, University of Zagreb and host University of Split. Split’s crew was the most successful.
Photo: Ante Mandić
