University of the Aegean and Greek Challenge announce partnership

by Greek Challenge Team on 9 Oct 2012 The University of the Aegean and Greek Challenge have announced their partnership that marks a new approach for the establishment of sailing in Greece. The scope of this partnership is the involvement of the youth and University students to customized sailing programs to be taught by prominent international and domestic sailing legends.

Furthermore, UoA will support GC in its bid to host America’s Cup World Series Events in Greece and its
sailing team

GC and UoA are committed to creating sailing courses as part of the University’s Summer school curriculum and developing courses that will prepare future professional sailors to enter the competitive world of the America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, etc.

Rector Paris Tsartas stated: 'The Senate of the University of the Aegean, following its session, no. 16/05-07-2012 has decided that the University will collaborate with Greek Challenge to host and organize America’s Cup and other international sailing regattas in the Aegean Sea, the cradle of Western Civilization.

Due to its strategic location and academic and scientific stature the University of the Aegean is the most suitable institution to engage in such an undertaking.

It is our hope and wish that the bidding process will conclude positively and will benefit the islands of the
Aegean region as well the Hellenic culture and tourist influx to Greece.'

Sotiris Bouzeas, CEO of Greek Challenge stated: 'The Academic staff and PhD candidates of the University of the Aegean have been working and supporting our cause to bid for and host international sailing regattas in the Aegean over the past year.

Their knowledge in marine tourism issues has helped GC to identify the locations for hosting such regattas in an environmental and sustainable manner; as well studied the benefits of such events would bring to Greece on a cultural, economic, infrastructure and social level.

GC has been creating a consortium of institutions that share the vision for the future development of the sport of sailing in Greece, through technology driven international sailing regattas such as the America’s Cup. We are roaming the seas for 5000 years and it all started in the Aegean Sea, it is time that the pinnacle of sailing comes to Poseidon’s backyard.

We believe that the new generation of sailors that will participate in the Summer School sailing courses will enhance our capacity to be more competitive in our future sailing University of the Aegean Greek Challenge website