Rescued from the sea: Kostelic fought for his life

A kayaking trip nearly ended in tragedy for former ski superstar Ivica Kostelic. He was pulled from the Adriatic Sea in a spectacular search and rescue operation.

March 11, 2025

From: fop

According to information from the Croatian daily Vercernji List Kostlic had set out on a kayaking tour in the Albanian city of Shkodra. However, it ended dramatically on Monday.

Kostelic and another boat occupant, a French citizen, drifted off the mouth of the Buna River and found themselves in acute distress in the open Mediterranean Sea, in the border area between Albania and Montenegro. Their kayak capsized.

After the Montenegrin Navy received a distress call, a rescue operation lasting around five hours was launched. The weather conditions were extremely unfavourable and the waves were reportedly up to four metres high. Nevertheless, a helicopter from the Montenegrin Armed Forces finally managed to rescue Kostelic and his companion from the sea.

Rescue operation lasted hours

According to a report by Vercernji List Dramatic moments were seen in which Kostelic fought for his life before being rescued. The 45-year-old Croatian and his passenger are now doing well. He is reportedly expected to be released from the hospital in the Montenegrin coastal town of Bar on Tuesday.

Ivica Kostelic won Olympic silver four times as an active ski professional. © AFP / DIMITAR DILKOFF

During his career, Kostelic has won the overall World Cup once, four Olympic medals, and 26 World Cup races. Most recently, he performed as a musician, including at the opening ceremony of the Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Days later, he caused a stir with videos of spectacular freeride stunts in the Albanian mountains. In his free time, Kostelic also regularly enjoys sailing, cycling, and various extreme sports. One of these almost proved to be his downfall.