Milivoje Dukić, four-time Olympian and Montenegro’s best sailor
Our interlocutor from Herceg Novi embodies serenity, adrenaline, and dedication in every moment spent at sea
When the sea and a person meet, one of them always has to yield. For Milivoje Dukić, Montenegro’s top sailor and a four-time Olympian, that relationship has lasted for years – balancing between the struggle with the wind and the peace brought by the horizon. Born and raised in Herceg Novi, a town that breathes the sea, Milivoj has spent most of his life on a sailboat. From his first regattas in the Bay of Kotor to the Olympic courses of London, Tokyo, and Paris, his story is one of perseverance, self-belief, and deep respect for the sea.
In an interview for our magazine, Dukić emphasizes that on the sea, you are never fighting against nature – you are in dialogue with it. “The sea teaches you patience and calm, but also constant readiness. Every wave, every change of wind is a lesson,” says Dukić. He speaks about how he measures his own progress, what drives him, and how sailing shapes his character. He reflects on moments of struggle and silence, on the challenges of a sport where everything depends solely on you – and on his plans for a new Olympic cycle, one that leads toward Los Angeles 2028.
If your boat could talk, what do you think it would say about you?
It would tell me to be more patient – but that it’s pleased with my progress. To stay determined and keep trusting my instincts. ILCA 7 is an extremely demanding class – there is no room for error; every movement and every decision carries weight. Sailing constantly tests your limits. You spend hours at sea, facing wind and waves, whether it’s sunny or cold, and everything depends solely on you. A sailboat responds perfectly when you are attentive and act at the right moment. I believe my boat would say that I’m a fighter – that I respect the sea, but I don’t yield to it. Patience, strength, and faith in your own decisions are what ultimately make the difference in achieving top results.
When you sail, which feeling connects you most with the sea – freedom, adrenaline, peace, or something else?
What I feel most is freedom and control. Sailing is a sport that forces you to be both completely calm and completely ready at the same time. When you’re alone at sea, everything that happens depends on you. Every gust of wind, every shift in the air must be read and used. Adrenaline is always there – especially during regattas – but the greatest value lies in that peace within motion, when everything works as it should and you feel completely at one with the elements. Those are the moments of total connection and focus – the moments that bring you back to yourself.
If you could choose any location in the world to sail, where would it be – and why there?
I’ve had the opportunity to sail in many places around the world. Each has its own specific winds and unique energy. Some stand out – Lake Garda in Italy, Palma de Mallorca in Spain – but Herceg Novi and the Bay of Kotor will always be my home. That’s where I took my first steps, where I learned to listen to the wind and the sea. Herceg Novi and Boka Kotorska are the places I always return to when I want to remind myself why I started sailing in the first place. There may be destinations with more ideal conditions, but with those places I feel the deepest connection. Every bora and every maestral there carries its own meaning.
Although you started with water polo, you switched to sailing. What drew you to this sport, and how did the sea become the center of your world?
Water polo taught me team spirit and discipline, but in sailing I found something else – responsibility and freedom at the same time. In the ILCA 7 class, everything depends on you; every decision is yours. That autonomy is what drew me in. Sailing teaches you to trust yourself, to be patient, to respect the sea and nature, but also to fight. There’s no improvisation at sea – you must be ready, both physically and mentally. The essence of sailing lies in the balance between control and surrender. The sea gives back exactly as much as you approach it with respect.
Your first appearance at the Olympic Games was in London in 2012. How would you describe the difference in your mental approach then and now?
In London, I was young, full of energy, but lacking experience. I had the desire to give my maximum, but without a deep understanding of the process. Today, I see much more clearly that mental preparation is just as important as physical readiness. I’ve learned that a regatta isn’t a sprint – it’s a process. Stability, consistency, focus, and preparation are the key elements. With years and experience, I’ve become aware of my own limits and of how to push them further. I remember every moment spent on the London racecourse – the smell of the cold morning wind and the almost tangible silence before the start. People often comment on my progress, and that reminds me that the journey is long – but worth every step.
At the Paris 2024 Games, you finished 14th in the ILCA 7 class. What was the key moment that determined your placement?
I found the strength to take control of myself in moments when the conditions were unpredictable. That was the moment when mental strength became the true measure. At the highest level, everyone is physically prepared – the difference is in the mind. I had to stay calm when the winds shifted and the changes were sudden. That ability to make the right decision at the right moment – that’s what made the difference. Paris confirmed that I’m on the right path, and that I have the strength to keep growing.
Do you have a ritual or habit that you practice before every regatta – something that helps you stay calm and focused?
I don’t really have classic rituals – like sitting down and doing a specific sequence of things that I believe will bring me luck. I try to stay natural and simple. I don’t believe in magic formulas – what matters is reading the situation and responding to it. Preparation is essential: checking the equipment, tuning the boat, and mentally warming up. In moments of high pressure, I often rely on short periods of silence, meditation, and stretching. Sailing demands constant concentration – the conditions change all the time – so I try to keep my mind calm and avoid reacting impulsively.
How many days a year do you spend at sea, and what does your typical weekly routine look like?
I spend about 280 days a year at sea. The competitive season lasts around ten months, and during that time I train almost every day except Sunday. A typical week starts with morning sessions on the water – working on technique, reading the wind, and simulating different wind and wave conditions. Afternoons are reserved for physical training in the gym – strength, endurance, and functional workouts. Evenings are for recovery, stretching, analyzing the day’s regatta or training, and mental preparation. As a competition approaches, my focus shifts to simulating expected conditions and fine-tuning the equipment.
How important is technical equipment to you, and how much time do you dedicate to the details of your boat?
Technical details are crucial in the ILCA 7 class, where even the smallest differences can make a big impact. I regularly check and fine-tune my boat – the tension of the ropes, the position of the sails, the overall balance – every component goes through careful inspection. During training camps, I run simulations under different conditions – light winds, strong winds, shifting breezes – to be ready for anything unpredictable. Before major regattas, the equipment goes through thorough checks to eliminate even the slightest irregularities.
Do you have specific dietary habits during intensive training periods or before a regatta?
I pay a lot of attention to nutrition. During intense training, the body needs enough fuel for recovery – proteins, carbohydrates, and proper hydration are essential. Before a regatta, it’s wise to avoid experiments and stick to familiar meals that provide steady energy. On recovery days, the focus is on balanced meals that support regeneration. Every meal is designed to keep both body and mind in harmony – just as every wave requires a balance between strength and flexibility.
How do you maintain mental readiness during long periods of preparation and competition?
I often emphasize the importance of mental strength and the experience gained from each regatta. I’ve said many times that, at the highest level, mental resilience makes the biggest difference. In moments of uncertainty, I stay composed – using visualizations and mental simulations of the racecourse and tactics. During the preparation phases, I work on focus, stress management, and mental conditioning within my main training program – so that when the regatta begins, the mind is fully ready.
Have there been moments when you wanted to give up or change direction – and what brought you back on track?
Yes, there were difficult periods – when results weren’t at the level I expected, when motivation dropped, and when circumstances became challenging. But my love for the sea and sailing was always my compass. I kept returning to the feelings that started it all – the excitement, the challenge, the sense of freedom. The support of my coach, club, and family was also crucial. They encouraged me to keep learning, to keep fighting, and to believe in myself. In those moments, it was often enough just to smell the sea in the morning or feel the cold wind on my face – and all doubts would disappear.
How has your role as an ambassador for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 Finale influenced you and your sailing?
It’s a great honor and a powerful source of motivation. As an ambassador, I represent Montenegro not only as an athlete but also as a promoter of sailing, ocean protection, and inspiration for young people. My goal is to use this position to raise awareness about the importance of the sea, ecology, and sustainable development in sports. This role contributes to my personal growth and motivation, while also connecting sailing with essential values – sustainability, responsibility, and inspiration.
What do you see as your greatest advantage compared to other competitors?
The reason I am where I am today – while someone else may not be – lies in the fact that I’ve confronted myself. I’ve always been open to communication, willing to learn, and ready to grow. I believe that’s the essential foundation for progress – for a person to evolve and move forward. If you’re not flexible, especially in today’s world which is demanding across so many aspects of life, and if you’re not capable of adapting, learning, and continuously educating yourself, then great results simply won’t come. The whole path of progress isn’t some kind of science fiction – it’s about being present in the process, working hard, staying disciplined, and being eager to learn in order to move toward new victories. My philosophy is simple: sailing is a blend of discipline, introspective growth, and respect for nature, and every success comes from a deep understanding and connection with the world around you – with the waves, the wind, and the horizon.