User:Gorazd Mauri/Igor Simčič

Igor Simčič

Igor Simčič’s (born September 4, 1954) love for sailing was with him from the very start. His uncle was a successful sailor and skipper on the famous Helisara sailboat, owned by the Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan. As a 17-year-old, Igor was a crew member on this boat and even then he recognized that sailing is not only about sport and competition. Instead, a sailboat represents continents and countries and connects them. In 1995, an idea struck him – to use a sailing project as a symbol of the blurring of European borders. With the help and support of the mayors of the Slovenian Nova Gorica, where Igor lived, and the Italian Gorizia, where he worked, he launched the Esimit Gorizia & Nova Gorica international project. From the very beginning, the Esimit sailing boat symbolized friendship that extended across boundaries and gradually became ever more European.

Through top results, achieved at important European sailboat races, and by gaining support from the President of the region Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the project Esimit Slovenia & Friuli Venezia Giulia became broader in scope. In 2001, Igor collaborated with leading Slovenian, Italian, and Austrian politicians, who recognized the strength of connections between European countries, to set up the foundation for including other European countries in the Esimit project. His visionary initiative came to life in 2002, when the President of the European Parliament joined the project’s sponsors. In that same year, Igor bought a new, 19-metre class boat, one of the fastest boats in the Mediteranean at the time. It was renamed to Esimit Europa and set sail to European waters. Since 2004, the boat’s crew attends yacht races under the flag of the European Union. With EU logos on both sides of the hull, the boat truly represents the ambassador of the unified Europe.

But the Esimit Europa is not just a political symbol; it is also a strong competitor. Its team of professional sailors has achieved excellent results in international races. Between 2002 and 2008, they won in the Maxi class category at the prestigious Barcolana, placed second at the Mediterranean Giraglia in 2008, and won another second place at the Palermo-Monte Carlo regatta. With its experienced international sailing crew acting as the ambassadors for European integration and the support of the European Parliament and President Barosso, Igor's wish is to bring the Esimit Europa project to the United States of America. By achieving competitive results, the sailboat will contribute to Europe's reputation on the American continent as well.

Apart from being the visionary behind the project, Igor is also a successful businessman who sees a challenge and an opportunity in every obstacle. After having worked for an Italian company in Verona, he pursued his career independently. In 1978, he founded a chemical distribution company called Esimit. After 13 years of successfully running the business, he sold his company to Warwick, a British corporation, where he worked in a managerial position until now. He is planning to let his successor take over his position and focus entirely on sailing and the Esimit Europa project. Igor is a dedicated family man, father of a daughter Lien and son Simon, who bring breath of fresh air to the project through their active collaboration. Igor has a clear vision that can be best described as forceful, innovative, and persistent.

Apart from sailing, wine has also been a big part of his life story. His great-grandfather, grandfather and his father were dedicated to winemaking, viticulture, and the development of the Goriška Brda region so it was quite natural for Igor to continue their tradition (established in 1812). He believed in the quality and success of the Ribolla Gialla wine grape, which is indigenous to Goriška Brda. Working with his father he brought Medot, a premium-quality, multi-award winning sparkling wine, to the world's attention. Among other awards, the sparkling wine from the Simčič wine cellar won a Parisian award given by the world's greatest sommelier, who praised its good idea, originality, expertise, and excellence. Igor's son Simon continues the 200 year old Simčič family tradition.

Besides sailing, Igor enjoys running and skiing. He is an internationally certified ski instructor and ran the first ski school on the Kanin ski course. He is an active member of Rotary International, a humanitarian charity. Its mission is to plan and provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Every year, the Rotary Foundation contributes about USD 90 million for international scholarships, cultural exchanges and various humanitarian projects aimed at improving the quality of life for millions of people.

Igor, who is a born European citizen, is convinced that uniting the people of Europe not only within the European Union but on the entire continent should be a priority. Supported by deeper relationships between EU countries and Russia, this European continent could represent an important global force that would lead in technology and development, creating a better and brighter future for its residents.

In 2009 he bought Esimit Europa 2, one of the most sophisticated sailing boats in the world. His plan for 2010 is to win the Europe’s most prestigious races. Esimit Europa 2 is also the ambassador of the European Energy online movement.