Tuesday, October 15th 2024 – The Digital Nomad team finishes 4th, claims victory in the quiz competition, and enjoys an unforgettable weekend on the island of Brač.
The beautiful town of Postira, on the island of Brač, once again played host to the 7th World Championship in Olive Picking from October 10th to 13th, 2024. Among the teams competing from around the world, the Digital Nomad Team delivered an outstanding performance, finishing 4th overall and taking home the gold in the quiz competition. This marked the fourth time the Digital Nomad team has participated in the event, continuing to build on their strong connection with this unique tradition.
The event kicked off on Thursday, October 10th, as all participants, including the Digital Nomad team, arrived in Postira and checked into Hotel Pastura, their home for the duration of the championship. The opening ceremony in the evening saw each team introduce themselves and their countries, followed by a delicious welcome dinner, where camaraderie and excitement for the days ahead filled the air.
This year marked the 4th consecutive participation of the Digital Nomad team.
On Friday, teams headed to the picturesque olive groves for the main competition. The Digital Nomad team picked an impressive 72.2 kg of olives—a new record for the team. After the olive-picking portion, competitors tested their knowledge in a fun and challenging quiz competition, which the Digital Nomad team won, securing their place as the world’s most knowledgeable team in all things olives and olive oil. Throughout the day, competitors also enjoyed refreshments, including world-class gin and tonics provided by Poetica Distillery.
After a day of competition, attendees headed to Dol Ethno-Eco Village for a traditional lunch and ended the evening with a gin-making masterclass led by the Poetica Distillery team. Participants learned about the intricacies of distilling and even had the chance to create their own gin, adding a unique touch to the event.
The team consisted of Jan de Jong, President of DNA Croatia, Carolyn Zelikow, Katarina Deletis Tomas, and her husband Jure Tomas.
Saturday was dedicated to exploring the beauty and culture of Brač. The group visited the charming town of Pučišća, renowned for its stone masonry school and the intricate limestone work still practiced there today. A highlight of the visit was a stop at Josip Radić’s museum of stone miniatures, where attendees marveled at his replicas of famous Croatian landmarks, including a stunning miniature of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Next, the group ascended to Vidova gora, the highest point on Brač and all Croatian islands, offering breathtaking views of Makarska, the Pelješac peninsula, and several islands, including Hvar, Korčula, and Vis. The day continued with a visit to the Olive Oil Museum in Škrip, where participants delved into the island’s long-standing tradition of olive oil production, followed by an olive oil tasting.
The Digital Nomad team won the quiz competition this year.
The closing ceremony on Saturday evening was filled with excitement and celebration. Before the awards were announced, each team shared some traditional sweets, food, and drinks from their home countries in a cultural exchange that further highlighted the international spirit of the event. The first award of the evening went to the Digital Nomad team for winning the quiz competition, celebrating their knowledge of olive oil.
In the main competition, the Digital Nomad team proudly secured 4th place overall. On the podium, Lithuania was crowned the 2024 champion with an impressive 90.2 kg of olives, followed by Croatia and Poland, who claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively. The night ended with a party where participants, new friends, and competitors celebrated the end of a fantastic championship.
The Digital Nomad team picked a team-record 72.2 kg of olives and secured the 4th place.
A big thank you to the Postira Tourist Board and its director, Ivana Jelinčić, for their incredible work behind the scenes, as well as the organizing team—Šteka, Eti, Ljerka, and Daniel Lacko. Special thanks to the Croatian National Tourist Board for their support of the Digital Nomad team, and to Hotel Pastura for providing excellent accommodation throughout the event.
As we close the 2024 edition, the Digital Nomad team is already looking ahead to next year’s championship, aiming for gold once again! 🥇
For more details on the Olive Picking World Championship and our team’s journey, read our previous article here. We also invite you to join us for the upcoming Plitvice Digital Nomad Week from October 30th to November 3rd! Register now for an unforgettable experience.
Lastly, a special thanks to Domagoj Blažević for capturing the stunning moments of this year’s championship through his photography.
Stay tuned for more events, and we look forward to seeing you at our next adventure!
