The Story

1995: Start of the Esimit Europa Project

The project started as a visionary idea by Igor Simčič to make a sailing project the symbol of blurring borders between the Slovenian town Nova Gorica and the Italian city Gorizia,because sailing has always united peoples and continents . Igor Simčič used to live in Slovenia, in the city of Nova Gorica, and worked in Italy, in the city of Gorizia. He had to cross the border twice or three times a day and realized, how limiting it was for both, Italy and Slovenia. So he called the mayors of the two cities and told them that he was going to buy a sailing yacht and would like to put the names of the two cities on either side of her hull, connected through the European stars.

1995 – 1998: Esimit Nova Gorica-Gorizia

With a strong support of the mayors of both towns, Črtomir Špacapan and Gaetano Valenti respectively, the names of both cities were connected with the European stars on the hull of the 42 foot long sailing yacht, which proved a visionary forecast of Slovenia’s future European integration. At the Barcolana regatta a half Italian and half Slovenian crew achieved an excellent result at their first race. Based on the yacht’s excellent achievements at important European regattas and on its positive message, the Esimit Europa Project soon became broader in scope.

1999 – 2001: Esimit Slovenia – Friuli-Venezia Giulia

IIn 1999, with the support of Boris Frlec, Slovenian Minister of Forgeign Affairs, and Roberto Antonione, President of the Autonomous Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the project was extended to the state of Slovenia and to the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia. At that time, the project’s key message of promoting mutual friendship among European countries set a solid foundation for future development, attracting other countries to the project.

2002 – 2009: Esimit Europa 1

With a clear goal of joining all Europeans on the same boat, the Esimit Europa project achieved a huge milestone in 2002, starting discussions with Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament. Due to the continuing process of fostering dialogue among European nations, the 65 foot long Esimit Europa 1 sailing yacht gained the official endorsement of the European Parliament and since then it has been proudly sailing under the European flag.

2010 – Today: Esimit Europa 2

Motivated by its past success and future challenges, the ambitious Esimit Europa project entered a new dimension in 2010 by acquiring a new, 30-meter sailing yacht, which is one of the fastest and technologically most advanced in the world. The Esimit Europa 2 100 foot long Supermaxi sailing yacht is under the patronage of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and represents Europe at the most prestigious regattas in the world.