Croatian sailing team in the race for an Olympic medal

Twelve contestants who qualified for the Olympics could turn sailing into the twelfth sport that has won Croatia an Olympic medal.

The biggest Croatian team in the race for an Olympic medal at the upcoming Olympic games in London, the sailing team, arrived recently at the pre-Olympic World Cup regatta in Weymouth. There are twelve contestants in all (including two female crews) and with a little luck the team just might turn sailing into the 12. sport that will secure Croatia an Olympic medal. The male part of the team can be proud of the fact that it has achieved standards in all six Olympic classes. As the most promising candidates for the medal prominent sailing journalists see Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic, Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic. For example, The Guardian's Barney Ronay recently told Jutarnji list that it is realistic to expect that Gaspic will win a medal and share the podium with a virtually unbeatable Ben Ainslie in Weymouth. 'Fantela and Marenic are athletes who have for many years been 'infallible' and could therefore easily find themselves among the medalists along with the Australians Belcher and Page', Ronay added.
The XXX. Olympic Games will be held in London from 27 July to 12 August 2012 and will include 300 disciplines (26 sports) in 34 sports venues.The city of London will host the Olympic Games for a third time (the previous Games were held in 1908 and 1948). The main facilities for sporting events are situated in the Olympic Park in the London city center and along the River Thames. The Olympic Village, located in the Olympic Park, includes the Olympic stadium with 80 000 seats and sports facilities for 12 sports. Tennis will be played on the Wimbledon courts while sailing events are to be held in Weymouth which is situated 236 km away from London. Croatia has 77 representatives (71 +6) in 13 disciplines and 16 potential candidates in 6 disciplines.