From snow to sea: Galeb Sail & Ski Race 2026 reunites two sporting worlds

Although weather conditions influenced changes in the program, the international sports event Galeb Sail & Ski Race 2026 was successfully held in Platak and Kostrena, confirming its status as a unique event that combines the sea and the mountains.

Instead of a three-day format, the competition was held on Saturday and Sunday, February 7th and 8th. Saturday's program featured an afternoon ski giant slalom on Platak, while the wind was not in the sailors' favor in Kostrena. On Sunday, in light winds, two regattas were successfully sailed in front of Kostrena, bringing this year's competition to a close.

The overall winners of the Galeb Sail & Ski Race 2026 are Igor Ruzic i Slobodan Velikic from DSNM Volosko. Second place went to Emma Grabar i Luka Kamber (JK Galeb Kostrena), while third place was taken by Nika Manestar i Tin Ivo Baotić (JD Val Crikvenica). The final ranking was obtained by adding up the results achieved in the ski giant slalom and the regatta for two-member crews.

The event was organized by the Galeb Sailing Club and the Rijeka Ski Club, co-organized by the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the Goranski Sports Center. The main sponsor was the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County – European Region of Sport 2026, with the support of numerous institutions and sponsors: the Croatian Tourist Board, the City of Rijeka, the Municipality of Čavle, the Municipality of Kostrena, the Croatian Olympic Federation, the Croatian Sailing Federation, Jadran Hotel, Lürssen, the Adriatic Maritime Service, Jadrolinija, the Medico Special Hospital, Kompare, Trade Qube, Bura Gumenjaci, Back to Blueu and Wondeck.

This year, the Galeb Sail & Ski Race once again showed how sport can successfully connect different environments and disciplines, creating attractive content for competitors and audiences.