THE SECOND ROYAL ROWING RACE

Belgrade, 17 September 2005 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended today The Royal Rowing Race, held in their honor for the second time in the village of Visnjicevo, in the organization of the Kayak Club “Filip Visnjic”.

Their Royal Highnesses were warmly welcomed by Mr. Aleksandar Grubjesic, Head of the Srem County, Mr. Milenko Ujvari, Director of Filip Visnjic School, Mr.Zoran Djordjevic, President of the Kayak Canu Club Filip Visnjic and a large number of the gathered citizens, out of which some came on foot from the neighboring towns to be present at the second Royal Rowing Race on the lake Bosut.

On behalf of the gathered and the organizers, Mr. Djordjevic greeted Their Royal Highnesses and Crown Prince Alexander opened this year’s rowing race, saying that he is very pleased that his last year’s wish that these races become a tradition in this area and attract more participants came true.

“I am very happy that my wife and I are here, in Visnjicevo. It is a great pleasure to be in the native village of the famous poet, Filip Visnjic, who together with my ancestor took part in creating the new Serbian state and because it was right here where the poet, together with the great Serbian mind, Vuk Karadzic, preserved the wisdom of the people” – Crown Prince Alexander said.

The guest list included the current Kayak World Champion Mr.Dragan Zoric, and Mr. Mirko Nisovic, Olympic winner and President of the Kayak Assosiation of Serbia and Montenegro.

“My wife and I are always happy to see so many young people, especially athletes who lead a healthy life and thus contribute to the success of their local communities and the country as a whole”- His Royal Highness added greeting the numerous youth and famous rowers.

The Second Royal Rowing Race consisted of eleven separate ones, ten of which were named after the members of The Karadjordjevic Dynasty, The Supreme Leader Karadjordje, Prince Alexander, King Peter I, King Alexander I, King Peter II, HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, HRH Crown Princess Katherine, HRH Hereditary Prince Peter, HRH Prince Philip, HRH Prince Alexander, and the last race was named after the famous poet Filip Visnjic.

The Crown Prince and Princess congratulated all the participants for their fair competition and wished them success in the future.