Simo Nikolić

This month Simo Nikolić, one of the best Croatian Snipe sailors, left us.

Simo started sailing in 1954 at YC Istra – Lovran and in 1960 he joined YC Galeb – Kostrena when he started sailing Snipe as crew of Anton Grego. The great career with Grego continued for the next twelve years until 1972. From 1961 till 1969 they took 6 National titles, also winning the Snipe Junior Europeans in Koper 1961. The brilliant career continued on European level with second place in San Remo (Italy) in 1964 after when they won the European title in Karisham (Sweden) in 1966. One more second place followed at Europeans in Izmir (Turkey) 1968 when Simo & Anton already sailed on FD. Maybe the best result apart from winning the Europeans was the third place at the Worlds in Nassau (Bahamas) in 1967 where they sailed with borrowed boat as their Snipe remained in New York due to strike of harbor workers.

The wish to participate at the Olympic games moved them to FD where they continued to sail until 1972. The wish came true two times. At the Olympics in Maxico 68′ (Acapulco) and Munchen 72′ (sailed in Kiel) when they lost bronze medal in last regatta.

Although their Snipe career lasted “only” nine year the results they manage to achieve makes them the best Croatian Snipe sailors of all times.

At the picture Nikolic (left) and Grego during the price giving ceremony at the 67′ Worlds in Nassau.