Notice of Race posted for 2026 AEGEAN 600
by Hellenic Offshore Racing Club 13 Apr 10:41 PDT
5-11 July 2026
2025 AEGEAN 600 © Nikos Alevromytis
Organizers at the Hellenic Ocean Racing Club (HORC) and Olympic Marine have announced the final version of the Notice of Race is now published for this year's edition of the AEGEAN 600 that starts on July 5, 2026.
This now-legendary 605-mile circumnavigation of the Aegean Sea invites all eligible offshore racing teams, Monohull or Multihull, to submit their entry (without a penalty fee) before the deadline of Thursday, April 30 at aegean600.com.
The Notice of Race outlines important details such as the complete schedule of events, proposed class splits in IRC and ORC ratings, safety requirements (including the offer of a Safety Training Seminar held prior to the start of the race), social events held for team members and their families and friends, and the impressive perpetual trophies awarded after the race.
The Schedule of Events for this year's edition is shown here:
Thursday April 30 - Early entry submission deadline
Sunday June 28 - Free berthing commences at Olympic Marine
Tuesday June 30 - Secretariat opens at Olympic Marine
Wednesday-Friday July 1-3 - Registration and Inspections
Thursday July 2 - Safety Training Seminar
Friday July 3 - Warm-up Race, Skippers Briefing, Media Briefing, and Welcome Ceremony followed by Crew Party
Saturday July 4 - Visit to the Temple of Poseidon
Sunday July 5 - Start of the AEGEAN 600 race at Sounio
Saturday July 11 - Expiration of Race Time Limit, Prize Giving Ceremony & Dinner
Monday July 13 - Free berthing period expires at Olympic Marine
More details on event timings are at aegean600.com/schedule-of-events.
Besides Welcome and Prize giving ceremonies, other highlights of this schedule include a Safety Seminar organized for those who need to comply with the offshore race safety standards, and tours of this historic region are available for all those affiliated with the race, including sailors along with their families and friends.
This race is very inclusive, inviting numerous types of boats to enter that may form classes and sub-classes. These range from Maxi's to Double-Handed entries, identified classes such as Dehler One-Designs, Class 40's, Class Mini 6.5, Figaro II and III, X-Yacht entries, full-crew and Double-Handed Multihulls, etc.
Already this 6th edition of the race has attracted an impressively diverse array of teams from 16 nations around the world lured to take on the challenge of racing on a course filled with all aspects of offshore sailing. These include navigation among 23 islands, winds and seas that will typically range from flat calm to near gale-force, and the seamanship and teamwork skills needed to complete this course.
Yet for all its intensity, this race also offers a profound spirit of camaraderie among the teams, incredible scenery along the race route like no other similar offshore sailing event, and a generous dose of legendary Greek hospitality both before and after the race at the host venue at Olympic Marine in Lavrion.
"We're very excited to return this year after having such an amazing experience in last year's race," said Chris Hemans, Skipper of the Cookson 50 VARUNA from the USA. "This is truly a racing event like no other - it is the highlight of our sailing program."
HORC and Olympic Marine, co-organizers of the race, hope you can join them in the sixth edition of this amazing offshore racing event, called by Seahorse Magazine "The perfect 600-mile race."
More information at aegean600.com