October 5, 2020 - Instead of announcing the forthcoming European Laser Under-21 Championship, which was to be held from October 24-31 in Trašte Bay's waters, YC Delfin announced today that, due to the complicated epidemiological situation in Montenegro and throughout Europe, the competition is postponed until next year. The decision was made in communication with its organizational partner - Luštica Development, and the European sailing Federation for the Laser class- EURILCA, concluding that it is the smartest and safest decision for all concerned.
The championship was initially planned for June but was postponed until the end of October due to the first wave of the epidemic. The club's management has been trying for months to secure the consent from the Government of Montenegro, i.e. the National Coordination Body to hold the competition. Interestingly, and significantly, the Government gave its permission on Friday, October 2. After, EURILCA, Delfin and Luštica Development jointly concluded that holding the competition in current conditions represents a significant health and organizational risk. Previously, 185 competitors and their technical staff from 37 countries had announced their arrival at the championship in Tivat, exceeding the recommendations of the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases. It is important to emphasize that several other European competitions organized by EURILCA have been previously canceled, the last of them being the Laser Radial class championship in Hyeres, France.
YC Delfin has won support with excellent results at the international level and cooperation with the European Sailing Federation. That leaves the door open for Tivat and the country as a whole. The club's management expects that the General Assembly of EURILCA, scheduled for November 28 and 29, will decide upon Tivat as host for the European Laser Class Championship 2021.
"This leaves local and national sports institutions time to try to understand how big and important the event is for Montenegro, and to show greater interest and readiness to help in the organization." First of all, in financial terms. Neither the Municipality of Tivat, nor the Ministry of Sports, nor the Olympic Federation of Montenegro has planned any championship funds. Delfin regularly informed them about the plans, starting from December last year," reads the announcement by YC Delfin.
At the aforementioned General Annual Assembly of EURILCA, Delfin will also compete to host the regatta of the European Senior Championship in the Laser class for 2023.
Sailing is not only a sport; it is also a way of life and a potent form of special interest tourism. According to the analyzes carried out by the city of Split, the sailing championship gathering around 200 participants and provides the destination with a direct income of more than 500 thousand euros. So, sailing is also a major opportunity for development; if we have the wisdom to use it, this is why we are appealing to the authorities to inform themselves and take responsibility so that we do not miss the chance to present our country and its potential in the best way possible.
YC Delfin has formed a multidisciplinary professional team, which remains united with the mission to use the postponement of the European Championship in Tivat to permanently put Tivat and Montenegro on the map of quality sailing destinations in 2021, in cooperation with its partner - the company Lustica Development.
