Preparation is key To handle the challenges of the weather condition, all teams must be well prepared and ideally also well practiced to have a successful race experience. There are several ways the Aegean 600 race organisation provides assistance with this, in every respect suitable for a challenging offshore race. First is the event’s base venue
at Olympic Marine in Lavrios, where full-service, modern, world class facilities await visiting race entries. Free berthing is provided to race entries, and Olympic Marine boasts plenty of space both on their wide floating docks and in the adjacent boatyard for storage of each team’s supporting equipment and supplies. At OlympicMarine there is
outstanding personnel and support facilities for every imaginable repair and service thatmay be needed, fromelectrical systems, engines and plumbing to rigging, sails and hull and deck repairs. Parts and hardware are readily available in the chandleries and themarket shop on site can meetmost provisioning needs. The marina’s cafes and restaurants also provide some shade from the Greek summer sun and a break from the hard work of preparation. Another feature of the venue
is the ample space for both the pre- race meetings held in preparation for the race. This includes not only the skipper’s briefing common to all races but an authorised safety at sea seminar to ensure these skills are explained and discussed in detail to help entered teams meet their compliance with these important rules and standards. Olympic Marine is also the site
for another important feature of the Aegean 600: the numerous social events where competitors and their families and friends may enjoy a taste of the Greek culture’s famous reputation for extending outstanding hospitality to all who visit. There are even tours organised to local historical attractions, such as the 3,000-year-old ancient Temple of Poseidon that presides over the start and finish of the race from atop the spectacular sea cliffs at Cape Sounio. This unique ancient structure has tremendous significance for all who participate as a symbolic link to the past to all those countless mariners over the ages who have taken to the sea, met its challenges and returned safely. Yet another preparation feature
of the Aegean 600 is the Attica Warm-Up Race held in Stenon Makronisou, the waters immediately adjacent to Olympic Marine. This short windward-leeward race held
for this style of offshore design and included the Aegean 600 in its Mediterranean Trophy racing circuit. Berthing at Olympic Marine will
Top: more than just a tour of the islands, the Aegean 600 is a very dynamic racecourse, designed to be full of challenges. Above: what makes this race special is the unique combination of wide- ranging wind and sea conditions with warm temperatures, spectacular scenery and excellent organisation
two days prior to the start of the main event assists not only the race entries in coordinating their team work, but helps the race committee in their preparations as well.
New for 2024 The HORC organisers of the Aegean 600 are constantly improving and innovating the features of this race to meet the needs and expectations of the race’s growing fleet of participants. This includes the growing list of maxi entries since the addition of this race to the International Maxi Association’s (IMA) Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge circuit of events last year. The Farr 100 Leopard 3 met this challenge in 2023 by setting a new course record of 45 hours five minutes and 25 seconds, an impressive mark to tempt others to come and have a go. For 2024 Olympic Marine has expanded to accommodate these large yachts with berthing space available for drafts up to eight metres in depth. The Class40 class has also
expressed a strong interest in participating for this next edition, being a race that is ideally suited
be more centralised to create a congenial race village ambience, along with more pre-race social events included besides the opening and closing awards ceremonies. And in addition to the already extensive list of impressive awards offered, a new perpetual trophy has been created in honour of George Andreadis, a prominent HORC member, former Olympic athlete, offshore sailing champion, and a founding supporter of this race who passed in 2023. Last year the fleet of IRC and
ORC monohulls and multihulls grew by 25 per cent to include 45 yachts entered from 16 countries and over 500 sailors, and HORC expects similar growth for 2024. There are no better ambassadors for this growth than the participants themselves who span a wide variety of racer and cruiser/racer entries. 'What an event,’ said Chris Sherlock, skipper of Leopard 3. 'The hospitality was fantastic, the sailing was exceptional, and we look forward to coming back next year.’ 'I had imagined this to be a very
good race with spectacular views,’ said IRC 3 and ORC 3 class winner and Olympic medallist Panagiotis Mantis from the Hanse 508 Pheadra, 'but what I experienced was way beyond. I am thrilled and can’t wait for next year.’ Come and join the 2024 edition
of the Aegean 600 and learn why this is the perfect 600-mile race and create your own legendary experience in Greek offshore sailing.
www.aegean600.com
❑ SEAHORSE 63
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