The 60 boats that will start on Sunday, July 6 (14.00) in the sea area in front of the Temple of Poseidon in this year’s AEGEAN 600 are already docked at the hospitable Olympic Marine in Lavrio. The crews are already counting down for the 600 nautical mile journey and on Friday, July 4 (12.00), they will have the opportunity, in the warm-up race, to check their equipment and become familiar with the always unpredictable conditions of the Aegean.
“The AEGEAN 600 is not just a sailing race, but an event that showcases nautical sports and the beauties of our homeland. A unique race that transforms the Aegean into a global stage, with the battles of the crews on the waves as a backdrop, with our history as a backdrop,” commented the Deputy Minister of Sports Ioannis Vroutsis and added: “This year, 60 crews from 19 countries and 3 continents are joining forces in the Aegean – the sea that our poets have praised throughout the centuries. From Sounio to Santorini and Rhodes, from Patmos to Delos and Mykonos, every mile of this race praises Greece abroad. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the President of POIATH, Mr. Maragoudakis, and to all the organizers. For five years, they have been building an institution that transcends Greek borders and sends global messages. With the Greek flag waving, the AEGEAN 600 reminds us of how much we can achieve when there is vision, cooperation and faith. As the Ministry of Sports, we stand firmly by the side of this event, we owe it to our great “maritime” tradition! Good luck to all participants. Safely, with strength and with respect for the sea that gave birth to us.“
On Friday, July 4 (19.00), at the hospitable Olympic Marine, the skippers meeting is scheduled and in the evening (20.30), the owner Mr. George Prokopiou, will declare the start of the 5th AEGEAN 600 with the sailors enjoying Greek hospitality a few hours before sailing into the Aegean. On Saturday, July 5 (18.00) the crews, their families and friends are also invited to enjoy the history and the fantastic view of the starting area of the race, with a visit to the Ancient Temple of Poseidon on the rocks at Cape Sounion.
The AEGEAN 600 is organized by the Panhellenic Offshore Sailing Club (POIATH) with co-organizers the Region of Attica and Olympic Marine and with the contribution of the Deputy Ministry of Sports and the General Secretariat of Sports.
ROLEX for the second consecutive year will be the official watch of the event .
Sponsors of the race are the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT) and D. KORONAKIS S.A. , a world leader in the manufacture of ropes and wire ropes for shipping. Supporters are IMA , the world federation of MAXI boats, the construction company KERAMEIKOS – ATHENS, PANTAENIUS , a multinational boat insurance company, TECHNOHULL , a manufacturer of inflatable & polyester boats and X-YACHTING , a boat rental company. The official transportation partner will be MERCEDES BENZ Greece . The cooperating group of the event is the Aegean Nautical Group based in Olympic Marine. Official suppliers will be NISOS beer manufactured in Tinos and Dole bananas. The communication sponsors of the race are NOVA , which is also the official television broadcaster of the event, as well as the newspaper KATHIMERINI , the magazines SKIPPER ON ONDECK , The YachtBook and YACHTING WORLD . Also, the social support organization HUMANITY GREECE with its volunteers will support the event.
