Lavrion, Greece: An impressive fleet from 13 nations is assembled at the Olympic Marina in final preparations for the second edition of the Aegean 600, the premier 600-mile ocean race of the eastern Mediterranean region.
The race starts on Sunday 10 July, with first finishers expected within a few days, while the rest of the fleet comes in throughout the remainder of the week. It is organised by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) and co-organized with Region of Attica and Olympic Marine.
The Aegean 600 is unique in having a fantastic start and finish venue: in Sounio under the ancient Temple of Poseidon. From here the fleet embarks on a challenging course designed by HORC to be ‘by sailors for sailors’, giving them a navigational and seamanship challenge designed to promote International Offshore Racing in Greece.
Even from the start spectators can see the boats head southeast towards the horizon, passing Milos before going through the Caldera of Santorini. The race continues south to Kassos, and after leaving Karpathos to port, will pass Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Pharmakonissi, Agathonissi, Patmos and onwards will cross the Icarian Sea.
From there, entrants will sail between Mykonos and Delos and, after passing through Gyaros and Kea, will finish back in Sounio. The total course distance is approximately 605 nautical miles.
This year’s fleet is incredibly diverse, with participation of Superyachts, trimarans, and catamarans, in addition to more conventional offshore-capable monohull designs. Their speed around the race course will be determined by more than just size: navigation, seamanship and boat handling are important as well.
Among the largest monohull entries in the fleet is Eratostenes from Malta, a Swan 112 skippered by noted Italian sailor, Jacopo Ferrari-Bravo. Since the race was chosen by the International Maxi Association (IMA) to be on its circuit of races in the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge, Eratostenes will earn valuable points in this series.
Official websitehttp://: https://aegean600.com/
Dobbs Davis
