Aegean Regatta 2026 - Day 2
by Aegean Regatta 25 Aug 03:27 PDT
22-28 August 2026
Aegean Regatta 2026 - Day 2 © Nikos Pantis
Until the early hours of Monday morning, the boats taking part in the international sailing race Aegean Regatta arrived at the port of Fournoi, completing the first and longest leg of the race, which started from Limnia, Chios, covering a distance of 65 nautical miles.
The race was held in very good weather conditions, with several tactical traps in the choice of route ultimately playing a decisive role in shaping the results and determining the winners. The race was named "Akis Tsalikis" in honour of the late former President of the Offshore Sailing Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation (HSF), who was a leading figure in the creation of the Aegean Regatta, took part in the event himself and supported it in every possible way.
The boats started with the classic north-easterly wind, blowing at 15-20 knots, with the spinnakers providing speed to the fleet as it headed towards Ikaria. Around midday, the forecast called for a slight weakening of the winds, before they strengthened again in the afternoon as the boats approached Fournoi.
The large spinnakers of the Turkish Mersin Yelken Akademisi and the Russian Courrier Du Coeur stood out from the early stages, leading the fleet, followed by the Turkish Matrak and the Greek boats Aristofani, Anateloussa Afroditi, Granma X and Baximus.
Off Chios, the tactical games began, with crews having to make difficult decisions. Some boats chose to sail towards Ikaria, while others opted to hug the wind, approaching the southern tip of Chios. Ultimately, the choice of those who headed south early and "cut" below Chios proved more effective, giving them a significant advantage on the way to Fournoi.
From the afternoon onwards, the boats began approaching the finish and the Turkish 52-footer Mersin Yelken Akademisi entered first in the harbour, at 19:12, while arrivals continued until after midnight.
An impressive moon accompanied the crews on their final, night-time passage towards the port of Fournoi, bringing to an end a demanding race filled with tactical decisions.
After all the boats had finished and the corrected times had been calculated, the results of the first race were as follows:
Performance
- Anateloussa Afroditi - Skipper: Giorgos Avgerinos
- Granma X - Skipper: Christoforos Pritsoulis
- Baximus-Omprela - Skipper: Thanasis Baxevanis
Sport 1
- Courrier Du Coeur - Skipper: Andrei Arbuzov
- Maraki-Plus Construction - Skipper: Dimitris Marakis
- Meliploe - Skipper: Thanasis Piniaris
Sport 2
- Dragon - Skipper: Giannis Mytakidis
- Adra-Doculand - Skipper: Zinovios Grigoriadis
- Isidoros - Skipper: Vangelis Lianos
Non-Spinnaker
- Mayflower - Skipper: Janita Marolia
- Athos - Skipper: Dimitris Konarelis
- Bo Braya - Skipper: Lachezar Bratoev
The welcome from the residents of Fournoi was warm. However, all accompanying events were postponed following the death of Mayor Dimitris Karydis. The only event held was a presentation of the Fournoi Underwater Archaeological Research, delivered by Dr Giorgos Koutsouflakis, Assistant Professor of Underwater Archaeology at the Department of History, Archaeology and Social Anthropology (IAKA) of the University of Thessaly.
On the morning of Tuesday, August 25, the second race will take place from Fournoi to Agathonisi, covering a distance of 33 nautical miles.
The Aegean Regatta, which follows the route Limnia (Volissos), Chios - Fournoi - Agathonisi - Marathokampos, Samos, is organised by the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, in cooperation with the Offshore Sailing Committee of the Hellenic Sailing Federation and the sailing clubs A.S.I.A.Th. Rhodes, Mytilene Sailing Club, L.O.I.A.Th. Mytilene, Samos Nautical Club and Chios Nautical Club, with PEKEV Chios serving as the coordinating club for 2026.
The communication sponsors are ERT3, ERT North Aegean, ERT South Aegean, ERA Sport 101.8 and Skipper ONDECK Magazine.