Croatia is the only country in the world with no mountain above 2,000 meters (though with probably the most beautiful mountain in Europe – VELEBIT) and with world’s top skier – Janica Kostelic. She was shining in women’s slalom in 1999 (being only 17 years old). Her second victory of the season put her in first place in the World Cup overall standings and strengthened her lead in the specialty standings. In her historical victory in Serre Chevalier, France, 5….
Nikola Dragaš, three times world champion in 9 pin bowling Nikola Dragaš was three times indidvidual world champion in 9 pin bowling: in Split 1972, Eppelheim 1974 and in Vienna 1976. In 1988 he was the world champion in pairs with Boris Urbanc. He is one of the greatest bowling players in history. During the Serbian 1991-1995 aggression on Croatia he was active in humanitarian aid. Since 2003 Nikola Dragaš leads the movement “With bowling against smoking”.
Otto Lang (1908-2006) founded the first ski school at Mount Rainier (a National Park in the USA) in 1937 and directed Sun Valley’s ski school before and after World War II. Then he launched a successful career as a Hollywood filmmaker. He was born in 1908 in the small village of Zenica, Bosnia, to an Austrian father and Croatian mother. One of his best-known pupils was Gretchen Kunigk of Tacoma, who later won an Olympic gold medal for the United…
Jakov Fak, biathlon athlet, wearing the Croatian national flag at the solemn opening of 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. Jakov Fak, biathlon athlet. These two photos by Getty Images. Jakov Fak, Croatia’s biathlon skiing athlet, won a bronze medal in the 10 km sprint at the 2010 Winter Olympics Games in Vancouver.
Val and Sandra Bezic, brother and sister, are famous Canadian figure skating pair. They were champions of Canada in the period of 1970-1974, and representatives of Canada in the Winter Olympic Games, Munich, 1972 (placed ninth). Sandra Bezic is known as one of the best figure skating choreographers in the world. For many years, Bezic served as producer, director, and choreographer of the touring show Stars on Ice. Sandra Bezic also worked on highly acclaimed “Carmen on Ice.” She designed…
Lucija in the village of Potkonje near Knin, at Hrvoje Pozar stud.Photo by her mother Julija Vojkovic (on this web with kind permission) Sinjska alka (The Sinj Alka) is a competition to the memory of the legendary 1715 victory over the Turks, where the town of Sinj near Split has been saved. According to the legend, the victory was attained due to the help of the Lady of Sinj (Gospa Sinjska). The aim of the competition, organized August 15th each…
Bill Belichick & Nick Saban, two Croatians – Coaches in the NFL (National Football League, USA), are very successful with their teams playing american football. Let us cite Bill Belichick: “…I think it just makes this division, which is already very tough, even that much tougher. You know, two Croatians in the division, Joe, that’s not something you see everyday. [Laughter]…” (from an interview given to Joe Benigno and Sid Rosenberg WFAN, sports Radio 66AM New York, January 5, 2005)….
Croatia has no tradition in hockey. However, one of the greatest hockey players of today is Joe Sakic, Canadian Croat. His both parents are from Croatia (his father is from Imotski, and mother from Lika). Joe contributed greatly to the final victory of Canadian national team at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games held in Salt Lake City. Two outstanding hockey players of Croatian Origin were brothers Frank and Peter Mahovlich. Frank is now a Canadian Senator and a member of…
The first mention of playing chess in Croatia dates from 14th century, more precisely, from 1385 in the city of Zadar. Thomas Hyde, an English orientalist from 17th century, travelled through Croatia, and mentioned that the correspondence chess had been played between Croatian and Venetian merchants in 1650, more precisely, beween the Dubrovnik and Venetian merchants. It is the oldest mention of the correspondence chess in history. This fact can be found in his book “De ludis orientalibus” (On Eastern…
Charles Billich is outstanding Croatian painter born in Lovran in Istria, and since 1956 working in Australia. He is Honorary Citizen of Atlanta, Centennial Olympic City, USA, since 1996. Billich was the official artist of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix Melbourne in 1996. In 1997 he was designated the official artist of the Australian and French Olympic teams for Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. He was elected the official painter of Australian and the USA national teams at…