The idea to organise a diplomatic regatta was born in the year 2003, when Mr. Viktor Baraga, the Honorary Consul of Australia in Slovenia and a few enthusiastic yachtsmen of the Diplomatic Corps came up with a proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organise a “Diplomatic Regatta”.

The Ministry seized the initiative and in 2003 the first event of this kind was organised. The main organiser and co-ordinator of the event was Mr. Branko Auguštin.

The first Diplomatic Regatta in 2003  met with a very positive and wide response – 900 people participated in the event, of whom 300 members of Diplomatic Corps as well as distinguished Slovenian politicians and business people. What is more, reporters from three radio and one TV station as well as 28 accredited journalists covered the event. This is why the Organising Board decided to carry out the Diplomatic Regatta 2004.

Diplomatic Regatta 2004 that was on 11 th September in Izola, was really successful  - in the number of participants and in the number of participating boats. On the event participated around 1200 participants, between them around 300 VIP persons, of whom 94 had the diplomatic passport and they represented 24 in Slovenia accredited embassies. There were 16 ambassadors participating on the event. The sailors also competed in a huge number – there were 94 sailing boats from Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia. As 51 accredited journalists followed the event and published their articles in almost all printed media, the event was interesting also for media. There were filmed also few radio and TV reportage. 

Diplomatic regatta 2005 was a great event on which the total number of 1.200 participants.  On the event the 314 VIP guests from diplomatic and business community and politicians was present. On the event were participating also 22 ambassadors and 19 consuls from 36 countries and two minister.  A great number of sailing boats for small Slovenia were participating on regatta. There was 121 registered sailing boats, but on the start of the regatta there was present 104 boats, what was the biggest number of sailing boats for this regatta.

Diplomatic regatta 2006 was the biggest of all diplomatic regattas till now. In total 1.400 participants was present on the evening event, what is the maximum for the existing place in marina of Izola. In the future regattas we will remain on the maximum number of 1.400 participants, but we will do our best to make the event even on the higher level.  37 countries, 22 ambassadors, 19 consuls with a total number of 117 guests with the diplomatic passport were present on the event. For organisers was a nice surprise also the biggest number of participating sailing boats coming from 6 countries. In total the 139 boats vas registered, due to the strong nord wind  “burja” the 134 boats was present on the start, unfortunately not all was finished the regatta in the limit time.  

1418 participants participated on Diplomatic regatta 2007, which was on 8th September 2007. Among them there were 437 important persons from Slovenian diplomatic, political and social community. The participants were from 34 countries that have their Diplomatic missions accredited in Slovenia, among them 14 ambassadors and 17 honorary consuls. 66 accredited media representatives were reporting from the event. 133 boats from 6 countries were on the start of the 7th Diplomatic regatta.  

Due to wide response of the last five events, Organising Committee decided to carry out the sixth Diplomatic Regatta, which will once again take place in Izola on 13 th September 2008.

WHAT MAKES THE »DIPLOMATIC REGATTA« DIFFERENT FROM OTHER REGATTAS

To the best of our knowledge, the Diplomatic Regatta is the only event in which members of the Diplomatic Corps compete in sailing. It is, above all, an event promoting social and sports activities, which enables sailing experts, diplomats, politicians and business people to meet in one place. In a relaxed and informal atmosphere, they can exchange their experiences and opinions, establish business contacts, and, above all, have fun and practice or demonstrate their sailing skills.

A number of participants are accompanied by their family members, who are well catered for with numerous additional activities to choose from.  However, the guests can also join one of the sailing crews on their boats.

In this way, all the yachtsmen have the possibility to sail with the members of the Diplomatic Corps, prominent Slovenian politicians and business people.  However, the teams are decided on by drawing lots, which gives the event a certain charm as before the drawing, nobody knows who will be sailing with whom, which boat or crew they will be with. In the evening after the Regatta, we organise a social evening with the awarding of prizes and a party. This year we will also do everything in our power to make this party one of a kind.

KEY FOR ASSIGNING PARTICIPANTS TO INDIVIDUAL BOATS

At the registration, the skippers of the boats will be given the option of accepting a certain number of participants on their boat.

All the skippers that will opt for this possibility will write the name of their boat on tickets and the number of tickets with the name of their boat will match the number of guests they will be prepared to accept on their deck. The tickets will then be collected in the drawing drum, from which the guests will draw the yachts they will compete with.

After the drawing, the guests will joint the crews they will sail with. Members of foreign embassies or consulates will bring with them flags of their countries to be displayed on the boat next to the flag of the country where the yacht is registered.

After the Regatta, the participants will gather for the final event in the tent, which will be raised especially for this purpose at the Marina Izola. Besides welcome speeches, the awarding of prizes and trophies, dinner, socialising and dancing, we are also preparing a number of surprises, which, for the time being, are better kept secret.

From today on we would like to invite all skippers to participate on Diplomatic Regatta 2008. We will do our best to make it interesting and beside sport’s pleasures offer also the way to meet new friends.

Welcome also all of you who see the business challenge in the event.

We look forward to meeting you at the “Diplomatic Regatta 2008” at the Marina Izola on 13 th September 2008.