and a sense of teamwork to help each other prepare for this race. Organisers help with this as well
islands the Meltemi can fade to drifting conditions or become very exciting, building up to 40kts in some areas. Thus this racecourse tests all teams to persevere in a wide variety of offshore conditions. The Aegean 600 course in 2022
offered the full range of these conditions and new course records were set for bothmonohulls – Philipp Kadelbach’s canting-keeled Elliott 52 Rafale completed the 605-mile course in 2d 15h 02m20s – and multihulls: Adrian Keller’s 78ft Nigel Irens-designed catamaran Allegra sailed the course in 2d 5h 36m02s. Another important feature is the
tracking during the race using the YB system, and daily race analyses offered by offshore race commentator (and Seahorse correspondent) Dobbs Davis to give the audience of followers an in-depth view of how the teams are progressing on the course. For 2023 there will be other media team members positioned around the course in not only the caldera gate at Santorini but additional locations such as Rhodes and Mykonos to capture more images of the racers in action. These are used in both daily stories and shows but also at the final awards ceremony that concludes the event. Another new features for 2023
is a renovation project to better centralise and expand the berthing for race participants at Olympic Marine, where the goal is to bring a race village feel to the venue. This is important for the social bonding among all offshore sailors, regardless of where they are from,
Top left: the Elliott 52 Rafale holds the monohull course record of 2d 15h 02m 20s. Top right: the course takes the fleet through the spectacular Caldera of Santorini. Above: the race is a complete tour of the southern Aegean Sea
by offering a pre-race safety seminar and certification to comply with World Sailing safety standards, a criterion that HORC takes seriously for all those who participate in the race. Another positive aspect of this racecourse, in fact, is that if breakdowns do occur teams are never far from a nearby island to retreat to if needed. Some teams took advantage of this in 2022 to make repairs and rejoin the race, while others opted to stay in their chosen stop anchorages to enjoy the famous Greek island hospitality. On the topic of hospitality there’s
no need to retire from the race to enjoy it, the organisers offer plenty of revelry upon arrival at Olympic Marine. For 2023 there are plans to expand the hospitality for all participants with multiple parties and social events in addition to the impressive opening and closing ceremonies held both at the marina and in surrounding locations that highlight the deep history of the region of Attica. Trips are also planned to important local tourism sites such as the Temple of Poseidon, the gold and silver mines of Lavrion and other attractions. These features provided an array
of positive feedback among both newcomers and returning competitors fromthe race’s first edition in 2021. Teams from12 nations competed in 2022, proving the growing appeal of the race among sailors fromaround the world. ‘I amreally happy we did this race,’
says Gregor Stimpfl, owner/skipper of the Scuderia 65 Hagar V (ITA) and a returning Aegean 600 competitor. ‘This is the second time we have competed.We found the organisation to be excellent and supportive, and the race a perfectmix of fun and challenge. It is place this among the best of the 600-mile races and
recommend it to everyone.’ ‘I recommend this race to all
who want sunny skies, clear nights, island scenery and a healthy dose of seamanship,’ says Kent King, skipper of the Holland 68 Four Seasons IV (AUS) who competed for the first time in 2022. Team member Phil West says: ‘I’ve done 40 Hobart races and while this is a very different race, it was every bit the same level of challenge.’ ‘Our respect and love go to the organisers for their work,’ said Ioannis Barkas, skipper of the Orma 60 trimaran Akron Aoton (GRE). ‘They were always there for every boat and every crew member, giving solutions that were fast and accurate. The organisation of the event is at a pro level and it’s an honour for us to participate.’ In recognition of the outstanding
efforts made by HORC Commodore Ioannis Maragkoudakis and his team at organising this newest major race on the international offshore racing calendar, Maragkoudakis was nominated for Seahorse Sailor of the Month in October 2022. For 2023 the event is included
in the schedule of the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge. After observing the event last year, IMA’s Rob Weiland says: ‘No doubt this 600-mile offshore race shall be on the bucket list of every owner and crew in offshore racing. One look at the course map and you are hooked. It’s not yet a classic like the Fastnet or Middle Sea Race but it will be. All components are in place: the Greek hospitality is legendary, a great marina, blue water, good breeze most of the time, sun and stunning scenery, and all that just a 30-minute drive from Athens airport.’ It could be said that with all these successful elements of the Aegean 600, Poseidon himself smiles on this race.
www.aegean600.com
❑ SEAHORSE 69
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126
