Events
Easy call?
Launch a new 600nm offshore classic, attract a strong international entry, run the first race very well and send everyone home very happy – well, obviously they are going to ask you to do it again next year...
After two years of planning and anticipation, the inaugural running of the Aegean 600 in July 2021 provided the proof of concept needed to have this new race join the list of the world’s must-do offshore 600- mile classics. The hospitality shown by the organisers, the beauty and the challenge of the racecourse, and the strong enthusiasm shown by the participants all combined to make this first edition special for all. Based on this positive response, organisers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) have made a firm commitment with their partners and sponsors to offer this race again on an annual basis to be held during the first two weeks of July, with the next edition to start on 10 July 2022. This timing was devised to not interfere with other major events on the racing calendar and allow maximum participation among sailors and teams, many of whom have already signed on for this next edition. Perikles Livas, co-owner of the Farr
52 Optimum 3, not only participated in the 2021 race and did well in the results (2nd in their division and 2nd overall in IRC, and 1st in their division and overall in ORC scoring), but as a member of HORC was on the organising committee that started planning this race three years ago. ‘We had in mind designing a race that would bring out all the
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interesting aspects of Aegean sailing,’ Livas said, ‘and this race proved that for everyone. We had everything: all wind speeds, all wind angles, short legs, long legs, tricky tactics at the corners, unique sunrises and sunsets and always in shorts and t-shirts. We had a good turnout for this first edition, as 56 paid entries were recorded, although 37 entries from 16 countries finally made it to the start due to covid related reasons and travel restrictions. We have already heard that many will come back and recommend to their friends to come and join us next year.’ Another entry in 2021, Peter Gustafson’s team from Sweden racing on his J/111 Blur, also did well in the scoring: 2nd in their division and 4th overall in IRC, and winning their division and 2nd overall in ORC scoring. They worked hard on this race, spending most it among rivals two to three metres longer, taller and more stable than their 36ft in length… not bad considering much of the race was sailed in moderate to fresh reaching conditions. Gustafson explained that this was a tough but very satisfying race, where almost every leg had its unique challenge of variable weather conditions that required complete focus, whether it was working the zephyrs in light air or reefing and
Above:
Francesco de Angelis skippered Puri Negri’s Farr 70
Atalanta II to the triple crown: Line honours, IRC handicap winner and monohull race course record at 71:54:00. And in the background, Poseidon Temple on Cape Sounio reminds us of the Thisseas story in mythology about black sails…
un-reefing in the fresh Meltemi. His team of nine was configured to take advantage of this, with fresh talent in the helmsmen and trimmers always able to shift gears as the conditions changed. ‘We spent months studying the weather on this racecourse,’ he said, ‘and were surprised at just how the conditions changed at every turn in the course. It was like every island has its own weather system with local effects. Regardless, this was a great race and we’re really glad we came to do it.’ High praise indeed from this team that also won their division in another past 600-mile race: the Middle Sea Race. Even for the handful of entries that got bogged down and fell behind in the light air of the first part of the 2021 race, a few didn’t seem to mind so much: they simply retired and went cruising among the nearby islands! So, this race is unique in offering versatility in enjoyment for all levels of entries.
Accompanying the navigational and seamanship challenges presented by the racecourse, there is also an appealing sense of history throughout: the start/finish line is laid in front of the sea cliff of Cape Sounion whose top is adorned with the remains of the ancient Temple of Poseidon. From there nearly every island on the course has significance
2KVISUALS/ALEN PHOTOGRAPHY
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