July 7, 2024 will mark the start of the fourth edition of the AEGEAN 600, the annual offshore race organized by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club in conjunction with Olympic Marine. This spectacular 605-mile race starts at Cape Sounion under the watchful gaze of the ancient Temple of Poseidon, embraces almost the entire South and South-East Aegean Sea, for a scenic tour of 23 islands of the Aegean archipelago before finishing back at Cape Sounion.
Among the offshore racing world’s classic 600-mile races, this is the newest, with the first edition held in 2021. Since then the event’s popularity has grown every year, with already 70 monohull and multihull entries from 25 nations planning to participate in this year’s 4th edition, a figure that is on its way to a new record turnout.
These entries represent a large cross-section of the offshore sailing world, ranging in size from Jerry Petratos and Evi Delidou’s double-handed Dehler 30 AETHER to the impressive LUCKY (ex Rambler 88) of the American Bryon Ehrhart, but also the three Volvos (two 70 and one 65 feet). Teams also range from amateur crews racing for fun to all-pro squads in search of elapsed time course records and corrected time victories in IRC and/or ORC scoring.
The AEGEAN 600 course with its multiple legs of the course and wide variety of wind and sea conditions presents a significant test of offshore sailing skill in seamanship, navigation and strategy.
The International Maxi Association (IMA) has since the first event included the AEGEAN 600 in its circuit of races, the IMA Mediterranean Offshore Challenge, which has helped to further elevate the event by attracting a large number of Maxi entries, some of which are well known for their racing action and performance throughout the world of offshore sailing. IMA has this year created the 2024 Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge with the AEGEAN 600 named as its first event on the tour.
An important innovation in this year’s 4th edition is the outstanding facilities at Olympic Marine that support this fleet, including a newly-opened large dock suitable for several Maxi-sized entries. As part of their registration fee, all entries are offered free berthing at Olympic Marine from 30 June to 15 July.
Over this period there are other activities that are part of the event, such as a Safety training seminar held on Thursday 4 July, a Warm-up Race, Skippers Meeting and Welcome Ceremony held on Friday 5 July, a touring trip to see the ancient Temple of Poseidon on Saturday 6 July, then the race start at Cape Sounion on Sunday 7 July. A gala Prizegiving Ceremony will be held after the race at Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park on Saturday 13 July.
Difficult at times but demanding, this race, where every turning point of the course holds challenges and changing weather conditions, is the “perfect” 600-mile race that has established itself in just three years in the international sailing community.
For more information about AEGEAN 600, visit https://aegean600.com