Preparations are underway for 2026 Aegean 600

The crews representing this year s record turnout of 73 entries from 21 nations are assembling now in Lavrion at Olympic Marine in their final preparations for Sunday’s start of the 2026 edition of the AEGEAN 600. Registrations, inspections and completing check lists are making the marina a very busy place, with a measurable excitement in the air anticipating the challenging 605-mile race ahead.

Preparations will continue tomorrow with the Practice Race starting at 1400 EEST held in the waters just east of Olympic Marine, off Lavrion. This optional race is offered to give teams the opportunity to refine their crew works, test new sails and equipment, and get a preliminary feel for the rigors of Aegean sailing. Also on the schedule tomorrow is the Skippers' Meeting, followed by a demonstration of generous Greek hospitality at the Welcome Reception held for all teams under the stars at Olympic Marine.

An extremely important part of these preparations is ensuring compliance with offshore safety rules and standards, so every year organizers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) offer a Safety Seminar that combines classroom instruction with practical demonstrations. This World Sailing-approved training program is a requirement for at least one team member on each entry of the race, renewable after a 5 year term, with some teams often having multiple members participate.

“Besides explaining the equipment and its proper use, we also teach how the team can work together to help each other,” said safety instructor Gerasimos Petratos. Because these safety techniques are not often used in life-threatening situations, Petratos said “We have to practice these techniques again and again to be capable and proficient should the time come for us to have to use this equipment.” This is particularly true among the 11 teams entered in the Double Handed division, where only one crew member is available to help should something go wrong. One of these is Yam Wirtheim, who attended the seminar and is racing Double Handed in his third AEGEAN 600 this year with team mate Orly Yosopov on their Dehler 30 LAVORO III (ISR). He described the seminar as being “very nice fun and educational.”

Ten maxi yachts entered this year' race. Among them, Gregor Stimpfl has returned this year on his Scuderia 65 HAGAR V (ITA) and is excited to sail what he calls this “beautiful race course” that has “fantastic geography with new views at every turn.” His team was the Overall winner in 2022 and he says even with a larger class this year and facing some pro-level teams that “We are well-prepared, we know this course, and with a little luck we can do well again.” He also explained that “the first half of this race is full-throttle: speed, speed and more speed,” yet also emphasized that this is a “serious race” where preparation and safety of the boat and crew is really important.

Learn more about this year's race and all previous editions of the AEGEAN 600 at www.aegean600.com. Here there are numerous resources: press releases, photo and video archives and much more.

Report by: HORC Press office

Event' website: www.aegean600.com