Aegean 600. Final version of Notice of race is now online

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, both Monohull or Multihull, to submit their entry (without a penalty fee) before the deadline of Thursday, April 30 at https://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.

Event' programme:

• 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 can be found at https://aegean600.com/schedule-of-events/.

Besides the 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.”

Aegean 600 is part of the 2025-2026 International Maxi Association "Maxi Med Offshore Challenge".

For more information and to enter the 2026 AEGEAN 600, view media resources (such as Flickr), and more, visit https://aegean600.com.