Race report ·
Baptism of fire on the Adriatic: our rookies sail onto the podium
A newly assembled crew of ten, four of them on a big boat for the first time — and at the end, runner-up in the national one-design championship off Kaštela.
Photos from this post
© Gert SchmidleitnerWhen the learning curve is as steep as the waves
Marina Kaštela set the stage for a real test at the 2025 Österreichische Hochsee-Staatsmeisterschaft. Ten people aboard, a healthy respect for the forces involved, and one clear mission: to grow together before the first gun goes off. A boat this size forgives no misunderstanding. Who trims? Who takes the gennaker? Where does every hand go in a fast gybe under load?
For four of us, stepping onto a full-size offshore boat was genuinely new ground. What you know in theory from dinghy sailing on inland lakes, or from a Libera, feels entirely different out at sea in 25 knots and breaking waves. Rather than being daunted by the scale, our rookies brought what mattered: they stayed on the rail, and they stayed focused.
Between patience and 25 knots
Across the week the Adriatic gave us the full range: eight races, from the slow-burning tension of light-air trim on glassy water to a wet ride in a rough 25 knots. Extremes like that are what weld a crew together.
Under the calm, precise hand of our helm Tobias Böckl we found our routines race by race aboard the Salona 46, entered as AUT 20 “Eirene”. The high point of the week was one race in which everything came together, from the beat off the start through a clean mark rounding to the sprint for the line. We crossed it first — the kind of moment that shows what this group is capable of.
© Gert SchmidleitnerSilver that feels like gold
After standing on the top step the year before, silver may look on paper like a step back. But anyone who knows our crew list knows better: second overall in the one-design fleet of eight feels like a genuine triumph. We showed that trust, clear communication and commitment can put you at the front even with four first-timers aboard.
One thing is certain: when we line up off Punat in October 2026, our rookies will no longer be newcomers but a settled crew with Adriatic miles behind them. Our thanks go to the UYCAs for their backing — and above all to the whole team, for the sweat, the laughter aboard and this spirit.
A report on this regatta was published by the UYCAs, written by Daniel Hoschek.
© Gert Schmidleitner