At the 4th stage of the Filippi Lido Trophy, a major international event with rowers from 36 countries, Nika Cetina represented Croatia with outstanding courage and finished among the world's best.
4th Stage of the Filippi Lido Trophy · Coastal Sprint Beach
Representing Croatia
Last weekend, the prestigious 4th stage of the Filippi Lido Trophy took place, bringing together rowers from 36 countries around the world.
In a very strong field, our Nika Cetina represented the Croatian rowing team in the Coastal Sprint Beach, CJW1X Junior Women U19 event.
The competition was anything but easy. Huge waves pushed the races to the very edge of regular conditions, causing numerous capsizes and disqualifications. But for Nika, the real challenge began even before she reached the water.
From high fever to the world stage
Nika's performance was seriously in doubt after she developed a high fever and purulent tonsillitis during the night from Thursday to Friday.
Where many would have withdrawn, Nika chose to push through and fight. A big thank you goes to Dr. Dean Girotto, who helped her get back on her feet and gave her the chance to compete. ❤️
Superb qualification performance
In Saturday's qualifications, despite the exhaustion caused by illness, Nika delivered an outstanding performance and recorded the 4th fastest overall time - 3:33.03 - among some of the best rowers in the world. 💪
Fighting the waves until the final metre
In the evening round of 16 against the representative of Poland, Nika started strongly. Unfortunately, several powerful waves held her in the same place for a full 15 seconds at the very beginning of the race, allowing her opponent to build a significant lead.
Still, Nika refused to give up. She launched an incredible chase, closing the gap second by second and almost catching her rival.
Although she did not advance to the quarter-finals, she finished in a fantastic 11th place overall on the world stage! 🇭🇷
What comes next weekend?
There is no rest for our rowers, as next weekend brings major competitions on two fronts.
🇸🇮 International Regatta on Lake Bled
At the traditional and highly competitive regatta in Slovenia, Nika will once again compete in a strong international field, joined by our excellent Roko Mijić. 🚣♂️
🇭🇷 1st VSD Mini Cup Regatta
At the same time, our younger rowers will compete at the first Mini Cup regatta of the Dalmatian Rowing Federation this year, held on the beautiful Peruća Lake near Vrlika.
Good luck to all our competitors. We know you will once again leave your heart on the water! 💪🇭🇷
