Marco Nannini will fly Slovak flag around the world

On sunday september 25th 2011, 6 international teams have crossed the start line of the Global Ocean Race 2011/2012, the double handed round the world race for class40 sailing yachts. Among the skippers, Marco Nannini and Paul Peggs who will carry the logo of the Office for Slovak national living abroad (USZZ) and will fly the Slovak national flag at each stopover.

"I was born in Torino, Italy, but my mother is from Slovakia, i'm also a Slovak citizen so i will represent two countries in this race, Italy and Slovakia. Before the start held a little send off ceremony with race director Josh Hall and the media director for the race Oliver Dewar. The boat carries the USZZ logo on the side of the hull with the mission to great and meet all Slovak national living abroad in the stopover countries, I am proud to act as ambassador for slovakia this way, I will do my best not to disappoint the director of the USZZ Milan Vetrak who has given me this honour and responsibility.“ - commented Marco Nannini.

"We are happy to see our country, Slovakia, and its national flag, being promoted around the world. Marco will act as ambassador representing Slovak nationals residing abroad through a sporting event of international profile. I thank in advance all the diplomatic outposts in the Republic of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Argentina and Uruguay and the USA who have immediately shown interest in this project and will meet Marco on arrival at each stopover so that he can distribute the gifts we have given him to carry around the world, including books and slovak language courses as well as memories of their native countries. Highly simbolic gifts intended to unite all slovak people living abroad through a common heritage and language" commented Milan Vetrak, director of the USZZ.

The USZZ, directed by Dr Milan vetrak,PhD, was created on the 1st of January 2006. This office is part of the slovak public administration and has as its core goal to promote the preservation of slovak cultural and linguistic heritage for all the slovak national residing outside their native country. For further information visit www.uszz.sk