'HRVATSKA CIGRA' REACHES THE ANTARCTIC

ZAGREB, 23 Dec (Hina) - The Croatian sailing boat 'Croatian Cigra', which is on a four-year sports and scientific expedition 'Arctic- Antarctic' on Monday reached Graham's Land (Palmer Archipelago) on the Antarctic, as had been announced couple of days ago. The crew of the 23-meter-long sailing boat, constructed in the shipbuilding yard in Kraljevica, has sailed 509 nautical miles in 87 hours. 'Hrvatska Cigra' is the first Croatian sailing boat which reached the Antarctic. The Croatian expedition, led by captain Mladen Sutej, will visit three locations in the next ten days, as well as several scientific bases and celebrate Christmas. The first destination after the Antarctic, on the boat's way home, will be Falkland Islands. (hina) rm 231718 MET dec 96