Event Epic racing
The 2024 edition of the Aegean 600 delivered both triumph and tragedy in very challenging conditions
The record turnout in 2024, challenging conditions and excellence in race and event management have cemented the reputation of the Aegean 600 as truly among the finest races in the world of offshore sailing. The fourth edition featured a
generous helping of both triumph and tragedy for all who came to meet the same challenge that Aegean mariners have faced for thousands of years in these beautiful, but sometimes tumultuous, crystal blue waters. While the sailing craft have certainly changed since ancient times, the Aegean 600 continued to offer the same challenge of navigation, seamanship and speed for the largest-ever fleet of 69 entries from 24 countries around the world who participated in this year’s event. As with all editions of the Aegean
600, the event starts with the outstanding support provided by the organisers at the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) and their venue partners at the world-class facilities at Olympic Marine in Lavrion, Attica, co-organisers of the race. Not only is this a full-service operation with an enormousmodernmarina for all sizes and types of vessels tomeet their berthing needs, but it also has a complete array ofmaintenance, repair and fabrication facilities onsite to cater for every possible need of the racing and cruising sailor. Other aspects of support for
Aegean 600 participants at Olympic Marine include a certified Safety Seminar held in advance of the race to instruct on use of the equipment and techniques necessary to meet the standards for World Sailing’s
74 SEAHORSE
Offshore Special Regulations Category 3 requirements, including liferafts. Even as these standards evolve, the race organisers continue to offer this with every edition so the information is current, relevant and informative. Following the safety training the
event offers an opportunity for teams to practice their boat handling and crew work in the Attica Warm-up Race, a short inshore race to provide an initial test for teams to get a small taste of what’s to come a few days later with the main event. This has proven popular for many teams who are often trying new crew, new sails or equipment, or new techniques while in the heat of battle in a fun afternoon race format. Another fun feature offered by organisers is a tour offered to all participants of the land side venue at the starting line: the ancient Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio, the iconic symbol of the ancient Greece’s mastery of the sea. Whether looking up at this high above on the cliffs of the cape from onboard a raceboat, or looking down from here as a spectator of the fleet, there are few views more spectacular in all of offshore sailing. ‘The start area is amazing,’ says
Sascha Schroeder, skipper of the Neo 430 Neomind (GER), a returning entry who finished third in IRC Overall and was also the overall ORC division winner. ‘Looking up at the temple with the breeze, the sun, the blue water –makes you get goosebumps for sure. It is one of the nicest places to start a race that I know.’ The primary attraction of the race
is its unique course, designed by the experienced offshore sailors at
Above: the fleet got a fast start into the teeth of a strong north- westerly wind Right: Cape Sounio looms above the start and finish line topped with the Temple of Poseidon
HORC for their fellow sailors: a 605- mile odyssey that starts and ends at Cape Sounio after passing no less than 43 islands and islets on 14 legs throughout the Aegean Sea. A description of this year’s race
helps paint the picture, where the teams on all boats were challenged with conditions that ranged from dead calms to gale-force winds and thus provided a suitable test of skill for any offshore sailing team, professionals and amateurs alike. The start on a cloudless Sunday
afternoon was, as always, spectacular: with spectators lining the cliffs above Cape Sounio at the Temple of Poseidon as the fleet got off to a fast start in the teeth of the brisk prevailing northwesterlies, the famous Meltemi winds. In 15-20kts the two fastest boats in the fleet, the MOD 70 trimarans Argo (USA) and Zoulou (FRA), quickly sped off towards the first island rounding at Milos at amazing speeds of well over 20kts. This was the start of what would turn out to be an intense high-speed (and at times low-speed) match race between these two veteran teams who have been friends and rivals in races held all over the world in search of
NIKOS ALEVROMYTIS
VAGELIS FRAGOULIS
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