CIRCUMEUROPA TEAM 2024
Cristian Ilea
Initiator and the coordinator of the expedition
He started to practice sailing in 2001 as part of the Allegro crew to Odessa. The catalyst for his more
than 20 years’ passion was Allegro’s story ( a sailing vessel that Alexandru Pătrașcu built in 3 years, with
rudimental tools, in a yard from Cluj-Napoca). He sailed in Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Marmara
one. His sailing competitive portfolio with Allegro counts, among others, 1 st place to International
regatta Odyssail 2006 and 2 nd place in Environment Regatta (2009). Since 2019, Cristian is a certified
skipper, but his dream of sailing around Europe lasts since 2007.
Mihai Pătrașcu
Skipper
He inherited the passion for sailing from his father, Alexandru, who built “Dolojman” (6.5m length) in his
yard and used it in 1983 for a trip to Athens and back. In 1993, “Allegro” was born, in the same yard, but
being a 9m long boat. Until 1999, Alexandru and Mihai sailed together in Black Sea, Marmara and
Aegean Sea too. Their last cruise was a 51 days long one: Tomis – Crete and back. In 2000, the old
skipper left “the boat”. “Allegro” was the legacy that Mihai got and sailed with, together with a lot of his
friends – part of the crew to Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Ukraine.
Mihai planned Circumeuropa with Cristian 15 years ago – now he is anxious to have it started.
Cristina Popa
Skipper
Cristina’s relationship with boats and the sea has taken the form of sailing courses and sailingexperiences with various crews. A doctor by profession, Cristina believes that on the boat, in the middle of the sea, you find out more quickly and in other ways who you are, what you can do, what you know about yourself, and you change. You get off the boat different than you got on. The boat and the sea also gave her the opportunity to meet special people, to learn sailing fromthem and to enjoy the experiences of sailing.
Her ties to Circumeuropa run deep and begin with the question “can this project happen?” The obvious answer for Cristina was her personal investment of time and energy, so in 2024 she joinsthe Circumeuropa crew and will cross the Mediterranean with them, continuing the story.
Cosmin Jitariuc
Skipper
As a child, he dreamed to be a sailor – this was the starting point for his love for boats and sailing.
Nobody around him believed in his dream – parents or friends. After 30 years, his passion returned. This
time, he became a skipper (in 2019), crossing the Aegean Sea with friends and family, same for Black
Sea, Bosphorus and Dardanes narrow. He joined Circumeuropa for sharing his dream with his friends.
“Healthy waters are fundamental for all life forms on Earth, but they are in a critical moment now. Culture is essential for our development as intelligent human beings. Sport is basic for mankind health. We are determined to do everything we can for helping on all these. It is an enormous challenge to become proactive for the next years in all that is related to culture and environment.This is the opportunity we have for making a significant impact at European level. Culture, Science and Sport – our means for accelerating change as there is no more time to waste.” Cristian Ilea
CIRCUMEUROPA TEAM 2023
Cristian Ilea
Initiator and the coordinator of the expedition
He started to practice sailing in 2001 as part of the Allegro crew to Odessa. The catalyst for his more
than 20 years’ passion was Allegro’s story ( a sailing vessel that Alexandru Pătrașcu built in 3 years, with
rudimental tools, in a yard from Cluj-Napoca). He sailed in Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Marmara
one. His sailing competitive portfolio with Allegro counts, among others, 1 st place to International
regatta Odyssail 2006 and 2 nd place in Environment Regatta (2009). Since 2019, Cristian is a certified
skipper, but his dream of sailing around Europe lasts since 2007.
Oana Isabella Gavriliuc
Biologist
Scientific researcher at OncoGen and lecturer at Medical University in Timișoara (Immunology
department). Oana is both a biologist and a chemist and also has a Ph.D in Medicine. She wants to use
her molecular biology knowledge, her skills and researcher curiosity for investigating the way
microplankton is affected by the climatic changes and the ones that mankind induces. As a child, she
wished to follow her father’s steps and be a sailor. As an adult, she has a navigation permit and wants to
take the opportunity of travelling and learn from an experienced team.
Valentin Bogdan
Skipper
Leaning over his grandparents’ geographical atlas, as a child, he planned the route he would follow on the boat, around the world. The passion for the sea remained aside until 2012, when he set foot on a sailboat for the first time, and in 2019 he obtained his skipper’s license. Since then, the thoughts sown in childhood have not left his mind, and in 2022 he bought his boat, Gaia, a Hallberg Rassy 42E, ketch-type sailboat, built to sail in all the oceans of the world. After almost a year of work to refurbish and improve the boat and its systems, it is ready to embark on the first leg of the adventure, on Gaia, around Europe. Geologist and speleologist, passionate about rocks and water in equal measure.
Cosmin Jitariuc
Skipper
As a child, he dreamed to be a sailor – this was the starting point for his love for boats and sailing.
Nobody around him believed in his dream – parents or friends. After 30 years, his passion returned. This
time, he became a skipper (in 2019), crossing the Aegean Sea with friends and family, same for Black
Sea, Bosphorus and Dardanes narrow. He joined Circumeuropa for sharing his dream with his friends.
Support Team
Mihai Pătrașcu
Skipper
He inherited the passion for sailing from his father, Alexandru, who built “Dolojman” (6.5m length) in his
yard and used it in 1983 for a trip to Athens and back. In 1993, “Allegro” was born, in the same yard, but
being a 9m long boat. Until 1999, Alexandru and Mihai sailed together in Black Sea, Marmara and
Aegean Sea too. Their last cruise was a 51 days long one: Tomis – Crete and back. In 2000, the old
skipper left “the boat”. “Allegro” was the legacy that Mihai got and sailed with, together with a lot of his
friends – part of the crew to Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Ukraine.
Mihai planned Circumeuropa with Cristian 15 years ago – now he is anxious to have it started.
Doru Creț
Skipper
He started his first sea adventure in 1998 in France, where he also got his first navigation license. He
founded (and leads as president) the West Yacht Club – first club of this kind in Timișoara. He was
organizer or co-organizer of many nautical events: Romania Aero Nautic Show, Bega Nautic Show,
“Baloo Expedition” (2015) Netherlands – Southern France on waterways-Greece, “Hope Expedition”
(2016) – France to Greece, team and solo expedition.
Doru organizes annual training for skippers, especially in Greece. He is fully supporting Circumeuropa
and will be responsible with logistics part of the expedition.
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