With the largest and most multinational fleet in the history of the event, 6th AEGEAN 600 prepare to open sails on July 5 from Sounio, gathering 77 vessels and crews from 21 countries. This year's event records an increase of more than 30% compared to 2024, confirming the dynamics of the international open sea race in the Aegean Sea.
The starting point will be the Temple of Poseidon, while crews will be invited to travel 605 nautical miles on a demanding route that passes through 23 Aegean islands.
The Chair of the AEGEAN 600 Organizing Committee and Chairman of the POIATH, Ioannis Maragoudakis , he stated that this year's response exceeded expectations, stressing that navigators continue to seek new challenges despite international difficulties. As he said, the Aegean remains one of the most demanding and unpredictable racing track worldwide, which explains why so many teams return every year.
Among the important returns stands Carkeek 54 DAGUET 5 of the French Frederic Puzin , which had also starred in last year's event. The French governor described the experience of the race as unique, pointing out that the history, islands and alternate conditions of the Aegean create a setting that one hardly encounters in other offshore games.
In the Aegean returned and last year's IRC One winner, American Chris Hemans , Governor of Cookson 50 VARUNA . He stood particularly in the hospitality offered by the event, noting that the experience of AEGEAN 600 is among the best he has lived in international sailing games. His crew appears this year better prepared, having enhanced both his equipment and composition.
Defending their titles will also attempt Elan 450 KARPO of Slovenian Maks Vrecko , and Alex Cot from France; and Michael Ear from Greece, who compete in the double-handed category with Pogo 50 EROS .
Its return is also of particular interest. Gregor Stimpfl From Italy to HAGAR VScuderia 65 had written history in the event, as in 2022 won the total AEGEAN 600 trophy in the IRC category, Poseidon Trophy in ORC, as well as wins in the Maxi, IRC 1 and ORC 1.
In the most populous category Maxi, which numbers 12 entries this year – record number for the institution – stands out Volvo 70 AIOLOS by the Greek shipowner George Prokopiou Last year he won the line honors completing the route in 3 days, 19 hours, 7 minutes and 8 seconds.
The main contenders also include Reichel/Pugh 90 PROSECCO DOC SHOCKWAVE 3 Italian Claudio Demartis and Volvo 65 SELMA RACING - SISI of the Austrian Artur Skrzyszowski .
The participations in the double-handed category also give special color to the event. Among them is the Evangelia Delidou with Dehler 30 AETHER , the Pericles Livas and Simon Sweetman with OPTIMUM 4 , the Israeli Yam Wirtheim with LAVARO III , as well as Americans Les Moeller and Gordon Moeller with Pegasus 50 BELLEROPHON .
The event is hosted at Olympic Marine in Lavrio and is now a stable point of reference for international offshore sailing. At the same time, it greatly enhances the promotion of Greece abroad, as it is part of the 600 nautical miles race with the largest participation of foreign flag vessels.
For the third consecutive year, the race's official watch is Rolex, which supports AEGEAN 600 as part of its long-term relationship with world sailing and top offshore games, such as Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Rolex Fastnet Race and Rolex Middle Sea Race. AEGEAN 600 thus confirms its position among the most important international open sea events in the Mediterranean.
AEGEAN 600 programme
The event starts virtually from the end of June focusing on Olympic Marine in Lavrio, where the crews and boats will be accommodated before the launch of the great sailing.
28 June: Start free docking at Olympic Marine.
30 June: Start the race secretariat.
July 1-3: Registration of crews and technical inspections of vessels.
2 July: Security seminar for crews.
3 July: Test ski, governor briefing, press conference and opening ceremony with crew parties.
4 July: Visit of participants at the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio.
5 July (14:00): Launch 6th AEGEAN 600 from the sea area south of Sunni.
11 July: End of closing time, award of prizes and official dinner of the event.
13 July: Complete the free docking period at Olympic Marine.
On the day of the start, on 5 July, viewers will have the opportunity to watch from Sounio the successive start of 77 vessels, which will depart for a demanding 605 nautical miles route around 23 Aegean islands. The route is considered one of the most complex and exciting in international offshore sailing, combining a high level of racing, unique landscapes and the special hospitality spirit that characterizes AEGEAN 600.