Aegean Regatta 2026 - Day 5

Aegean Regatta 2026 - Day 5 © Nikos Pantis

The anniversary 25th Aegean Regatta came to a close with a grand celebration in Marathokampos, Samos, following a remarkable journey that connected the sea and sport with people, cultural and maritime heritage, gastronomy, and the living traditions of the Aegean islands.

During an emotional yet hopeful Closing Ceremony, prizes were awarded to the winners. The yacht Aristofani, skippered by Nikos Synouris and Simos Kampouridis, produced a spectacular comeback, winning both races on the final day (the coastal race and the windward-leeward race) to claim the trophy in the Performance category.

Aegean Regatta 2026 - Day 5 - photo © Nikos Pantis

In the Sport 1 category, Meliploe built an early lead and simply maintained its advantage during the final coastal race in Samos to secure overall victory. In the other two categories, Sport 2 and Non-Spinnaker, Dragon and Bo Braya took control from the outset and held their lead all the way to the finish.

Special significance was also attached to the parade of traditional vessels, held alongside the final race, which substantially enriched the AEGEAN REGATTA 2026 programme and further highlighted the living maritime heritage of the Aegean. The sight of the traditional boats sailing off Marathokampos created truly spectacular images.

At the Closing Ceremony, attended by the Mayor of Western Samos, Themistoklis Papatheofanous, and representatives of all local authorities, the Secretary General for the Aegean and Island Policy, Fotis Maggos, congratulated the crews for their seamanship and the organizers for staging an excellent event. He then handed over the regatta flag to ASIATH Rhodes, host club of the 2027 edition, and announced the route of Aegean Regatta 2027, which will take place from 22 to 28 August, visiting Lakki (Leros), Lipsi, Kos and Rhodes, promising another unforgettable journey across the Aegean Sea.

Winners of Aegean Regatta 2026:

Performance Category

1. Aristofani - Skippers: Nikos Synouris & Simos Kampouridis
2. Invictus - Katopsis Construction - Skipper: Giorgos Papadopoulos
3. Anateloussa Afroditi - Skipper: Giorgos Avgerinos

Sport 1 Category

1. Meliploe - Skipper: Thanasis Piniaris
2. Fidelio - Skipper: Achilleas Triantafyllidis
3. Courrier Du Coeur - Skipper: Andrei Arbuzov

Sport 2 Category

1. Dragon - Skipper: Giannis Mytakidis
2. Isidoros - Skipper: Vangelis Lianos
3. Das Boot - Skipper: Dimitris Stamatas

1. Bo Braya - Skipper: Lachezar Bratoev
2. Cape Horn - Skipper: Mehmet Nazmi Nurez
3. Athos - Skipper: Dimitris Konairelis

Aegean Regatta 2026 - Day 5 - photo © Nikos Pantis

Addressing the crews, Konstantinos Kalogeropoulos, President of the Offshore Racing Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation, stated:

"Beyond the participants and the island residents, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart, the successful completion of Aegean Regatta 2026 was largely due to the people who worked quietly and professionally at sea. Special recognition is owed to the Race Committee, led by Giannis Kleidonas, and to its highly experienced members. In particularly demanding weather conditions, with strong winds and challenging race areas, they managed to set starts in remote and windswept parts of the Aegean, safely handle every challenge, and ensure the smooth and successful completion of all races."

Referring to the traditional boats event held alongside the final race, he added:

"The Aegean, however, is not only a great racing arena. It is images, memories and living tradition. It is the fishing boats found in every harbour and bay, the vessels that for centuries have connected the islands and their people. Cultural heritage is not limited to monuments, museums and buildings; it also includes traditional boats, which are an integral part of the maritime identity of the Aegean."

The Offshore Racing Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation believes that traditional boats represent a remarkable maritime and sailing heritage, an inseparable element of Greece's cultural identity. For this reason, it will continue to support every effort aimed at preserving and promoting this unique cultural legacy of the Aegean.

The contribution of volunteers and supporters was also invaluable. The Samos Rescue Team provided essential services throughout the regatta, playing a key role in ensuring the safety of the crews and the successful organization of the event.

The Aegean Regatta, which followed the route Limnia (Volissos, Chios) - Fournoi - Agathonisi - Marathokampos (Samos), is organized by the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, in cooperation with the Offshore Racing Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation, and the sailing clubs ASIATH Rhodes, Mytilene Sailing Club, LOIATH Mytilene, Samos Nautical Club and Chios Nautical Club, with PEKEV Chios serving as the coordinating club for the 2026 edition.

Media partners are ERT3, ERT North Aegean, ERT South Aegean, ERA Sport 101.8, and Skipper ONDECK Magazine.