Excitement building for the AEGEAN 600
by Offshore Racing Congress 22 Jun 2022 14:51 BST
10 July 2022
The fleet will start and finish under the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio © Nikos Alevromytis
Teams are entered from all over the world for next month's AEGEAN 600, the second edition of this iconic offshore racing tour of the Aegean Sea.
With one month left to the start, an impressive fleet of 37 entries have registered thus far, representing 14 nations spread from as near as Greece to as far away as Australia. This group of monohulls and multihulls is a more diverse international fleet compared to this event's inaugural edition last year.
"We are very pleased with this turnout," said Ioannis Maragkoudakis, Commodore of the Helenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC), organizers of the AEGEAN 600. "To have so many teams coming from all around Europe and the world is an indication of their enthusiasm and passion to enjoy with us this outstanding region for offshore sailing. The skippers, crews and their friends and families are welcome to come and participate in all the activities associated with the event, and of course enjoy a generous helping of Greek hospitality."
The fleet will start their 605-mile journey around 13 islands in the Aegean archipelago on Sunday, 10 July. The start line will be located under the cliffs of Cape Sounio where the Temple of Poseidon and race spectators will overlook the fleet as they head southeast towards their first island on the course, the island of Milos. The remaining legs will take the fleet on a anticounter-clockwise circuit that includes roundings at Santorini, Kassos, Karpathos, Rhodos, Kandelousa, Kos, Kalolimnos, Farmakonissi, Patmos, Agathonissi, Mikonos, and Kea before crossing the finish at Cape Sounio.
They will encounter all wind conditions, from light air to the fresh breeze of the Meltemi that can exceed 30 knots. This is truly a challenge suitable to test all offshore sailors, as it has for Greek sailors for thousands of years.
The participating teams will enjoy free berthing at the event's official venue, the Olympic Marina in Lavrion. This is an outstanding world-class facility located just 30 minutes drive south of the international airport in Athens that has all the support services needed for offshore sailors, from hauling, launching, logistics and repairs to markets, cafes, restaurants and lounge areas in a Race Village for relaxation.
Organizers from HORC have also planned informative safety training seminars prior to the race, as well as Opening and Closing Ceremonies, a Reception Dinner and touristic excursions to the Temple of Poseidon - all some examples of this region's famous Greek hospitality.
"This is a fantastic event," said Elio Petraci, manager of last year's line honors winner Atalanta II, a Farr/Felci 70 from Italy. "It's one of the most beautiful tracks I've ever done in my life." Atalanta II set the existing course record of 2D 23H 54M.
The solid turnout and interest in this second edition of the AEGEAN 600 unfortunately does not include enough Double Handed sailors to constitute a valid ORC DH European Championship event, so this is postponed for a future edition. Organizers at HORC and ORC believe this is still a perfect venue for this Championship and will work diligently to organize and promote a future event.
For more information on the AEGEAN 600, visit aegean600.com.