The PMS Women Regatta modestly started nine years ago with two boats and three crews. This year, about 80 female sailors from 15 countries will participate in the Historical Mediterranean Gathering on Vis
From Friday to Sunday, the ninth edition of the PMS Women Regatta, our only exclusively women’s regatta, will take place in Vis. PMS stands for Historical Mediterranean Gathering. This regatta was started by Goran Pečarević – Peco, widely known as the owner of the famous Vis restaurant Villa Kaliopa.
The PMS Women Regatta is traditionally organized on International Women’s Day, and the race takes place in a triangle within the Vis bay. Over the past eight years, more than 200 women sailors from over 20 countries have participated. This year, 13 crews, with around 80 sailors, will compete in front of Vis.
In the first edition of the regatta, only three Croatian crews participated. Due to the high interest, some crews are now being turned away.
Rapid growth in the popularity of the PMS Women Regatta
In the first edition of the regatta, there were only three Croatian crews. However, the good reputation of the PMS Women Regatta quickly spread, attracting women sailors from all over the world. Interestingly, this year there is only one Croatian crew, with all the others being international. They come from Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, and Montenegro. Additionally, two crews have sailors from various countries, including Chile, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Israel.
For the first time, a mixed Croatian-Serbian crew of scientists will also compete in front of Vis. This crew will include sailors from the Ruđer Bošković Institute and the Faculty of Pharmacy in Belgrade. Goran Pečarević – Peco: “We wanted something to happen on Vis in the winter, and I love women, so the PMS Women Regatta was born.”
Why did you decide to start PMS Women Regatta, our only exclusively women’s regatta?
Eleven years ago, we were ahead of our time and wanted something to happen on Vis during the winter. We also wanted it to be interesting. And I love women, so the PMS Women Regatta was born. It started with three crews, and now we have 13 crews from 15 countries. The idea for the regatta was mine, and the realization was greatly helped by my dear friend Branka Kraljević, also known as Suzi. She is actually the backbone of the regatta. She communicates with all the crews and is responsible for the organization. Without her, none of this would be possible.
What was the first year like for the regatta?
The first year, there were three crews from Rijeka, Split, and Zagreb. The wind was strong. The Petar Hektorović ferry did not sail from Split, so the sailors had to stay in Split for an extra day. They cried there, thinking the regatta was over. It was a miracle that the regatta actually took place, as the strong wind played a role. The following year, six crews participated. Now, we have to turn some teams away because we don’t have enough capacity to accommodate them all. In the beginning, we had two boats, but now we have four, and they rotate in the bay. We first had First boats, but now we have Bavaras.
How is the PMS Women Regatta organized? What does it look like?
The sailing takes place during the day in a triangle in the Vis port. We have international judges, and our chief judge is the experienced Ana Višić, who manages it excellently. During the race, there is a break for some snacks. After the race, the sailors take showers, and then all the girls come to my Villa Kaliopa, where they get free drinks and food. Like true athletes, they go to bed at 2 a.m., and then the next day they go sailing again. On Saturday, there is the awards ceremony, and that’s it.
It’s not easy to organize a regatta in the winter on Vis. Who helps you with this? Who provides the buoys and inflatable boats?
We gather everything we need, and our friends from Split send it to us. We get the boats from the company of Jure Mrduljaš, and he also provides us with buoys and an inflatable boat. Before, the late Male (Mario Malenica) gave us First boats. A local company, Gradina, also provides an inflatable boat. A fisherman named Kalambera, known to everyone, is also very important. The entire town supports the regatta, from the city of Vis to private individuals who provide free accommodation. The sailors don’t just stay anywhere, but in villas with top-notch accommodations. This year, we are also getting help from the newly opened Maršal hotel, a great little hotel right at the end of the pier.
It’s clear that you’ve found a winning formula, as the PMS Women Regatta attracts more participants every year. What’s the secret to its success?
How could they not come!? This is a unique regatta, with a fantastic atmosphere, and the sailors get most things for free. We’re also preparing another regatta for the winter period. It will be a bizarre regatta, the first of its kind in the world – a regatta for divorced people. It will be a seven-day sailing event for 32 women and 32 men. They must bring a paper stating they are divorced, which will be their ticket for the regatta. The plan is to start in Split and sail from island to island for seven days, ending in Vis. We plan to use real, big Beneteau boats and have male crews on four boats and female crews on the other four. All the boats will have a professional skipper, and we plan to organize this by the end of the year.
Let’s return to the PMS Women Regatta for a moment. Who else is involved in organizing the event?
The mayor, Ivo Radica, always lends us a hand and gives us full support. The Gradina company is also involved, but in reality, the regatta is helped by all the locals of Vis. The taxi drivers transport the sailors for free, some provide accommodation, some grill kebabs, and some provide wine. In the end, everything we need comes together. This is how we create something big for Vis and for all of us on the island without much money. It can all be done without much fuss, as long as there’s the will to make it happen.
