The signal for the start of the Aegean Regatta 2024 was given in Kalymnos
by Aegean Regatta 19 Aug 2024 19:29 AEST
Aegean Regatta 2024 in Kalymnos © Nikos Pantis
The Opening Ceremony of the Aegean Regatta 2024 took place on Sunday evening in Kalymnos, in the island's central square, in the presence of many officials, inhabitants of Kalymnos and the sailors.
Fifty-three sailing boats from 11 countries are taking part in the regatta, a fact that confirms that Aegean Regatta is an institution for the sailing events of the Aegean Sea.
The Mayor of Kalymnos, Yiannis Mastrokoukos, welcomed the crews and then, the Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, Stefanos Gkikas addressed the public.
"It is with great joy that I am in Kalymnos, the island of the sponge divers, for this great sailing event organized by the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy, which is an institution as it is being organized for 23rd time. Our government gives great importance to the islands and with the General Secretary we are specializing the island policy and very soon there will be announcements. Kalymnos, not only because of its maritime and historical tradition, is at the center of our agenda at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. It is not only the works that are taking place in the port but also the investments in the schools of captains and divers. I want to wish to the participants to have a splendid regatta, and to enjoy the beautiful route to our islands. The fact that crews from 11 countries are participating shows that the Aegean Regatta has been among the great international regattas", said Mr. Gikas.
The beautiful event ended with folk dances from the Lyceum Club of Greek Women. Before the Opening Ceremony the skipper's meeting was held in order to provide the crews with the necessary instructions.
The 53 boats of the Aegean Regatta set sails on Monday morning from Kalymnos to Nisyros, for the first sailing race, with a distance of 40 nautical miles.
The Aegean Regatta 2024 is organized by the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy, in co-operation with the Hellenic Sailing Federation / Hellenic Offshore Committee (H.S.F / H.O.C.)
The sailing clubs of the Aegean islands participate and assist in the organization, are the Mytilene Sailing Club, LOIATH, PEKEV, Chios Sailing Club, and Samos Sailing Club, with the coordinating club for 2024 being ASIATH Rhodes.