The Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC), along with Olympic Marine, are pleased to announce Rolex as the Official Timepiece of this year’s edition of the AEGEAN 600 yacht race. Starting on 7 July, just under the sea cliffs of Cape Sounion, with the ancient Temple of Poseidon as a fitting backdrop, this 600-mile annual race tour of Greece’s scenic Aegean islands has quickly become a new offshore racing classic.
Nearly 70 monohull and multihull entries from 25 countries have registered to participate, a new record level of international interest. The event is based at the world-class facilities of Olympic Marine in Lavrion, Attica, where pre- and post-race activities are held for the race participants and their families and friends to enjoy the generosity of Greek hospitality.
Teams entered for the race are competing for not only the large perpetual trophy awarded the overall winner of the race – an exact silver replica of an ancient Attican ceramic vessel from the 5th century BC – but for the fastest entries a chance to also break the course record set in 2023 by the 100-foot monohull LEOPARD 3 (MON) of 45 hours, 5 minutes, and 25 seconds. Individual division and category winners will also take home trophies provided by the Benaki Museum which are silver copies of ancient artifacts that date from 3,000 BC of the Early Cycladic Civilization until the 5th century of the Greek Classical Age.
The strong participation of foreign teams in this year’s fourth edition of the race indicates the importance of the AEGEAN 600 in the promotion of Greece worldwide.
ROLEX: OFFICIAL TIMEPIECE OF THE AEGEAN 600 YACHT RACE
The Aegean 600 is one of several 600-mile races supported by Rolex as part of its near 70-year partnership with the sport of yachting. As with historic counterparts the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race, crews are drawn to its compelling challenge and unique characteristics.
There is a natural affinity between Rolex and international yacht races such as the Aegean 600, where charting a successful course requires an unwavering commitment, a wealth of experience and a sharp intuition to deal with the whims of the wind, the pull of the current and the force of the swell. Adapting to the elements, constantly seeking to improve, summoning one’s deepest resources– these are qualities that resonate with Rolex’s own defining philosophy.