A Challenging and Memorable Aegean 600 Race
(Lavrion, Greece)– The successful 5th edition of the challenging Aegean 600 Race, organized annually by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC), saw many smiling faces among more than just the winning teams who were poised to win their trophies. Their beaming smiles were knowing that they had just completed one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, 600-mile races in the offshore sailing world.
Perhaps that’s a reflection of the event’s promotional pitch… “A sailing race that has the makings of a legend. The sea of myths and legends. The sea of Homer, Seferis, and Elytis. The sea of painters and philosophers. The sea of sailors. 600 miles of sailing in the Aegean Sea. A race where the wind god- Aeolus- will make his own game to control sailors’ seamanship. A race where the dolphins will accompany the boats to drive them faster to the finish.”
Temple of Poseidon
A highlight of the race is the start held in the shadows of the mythical temple of Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the sea. The temple dominates the southernmost tip of Attica, where the horizon meets the Aegean Sea. Perched on the craggy rocks of Cape Sounio, the temple is enveloped in myth and historic facts dated from antiquity until the present times.
There are stories about the ship of King Menelaus who stopped briefly at Sounio on his way back from Troy; or about the unfortunate King Aegeus who drowned himself on that spot and the Aegean Sea got named after him; or about the people who built a temple using local marble to honour the god of the sea and safeguard the profits from the neighbouring Lavrio mines.
The unknown architect is probably the same one who built Theseion in the Ancient Agora of Athens. He decorated the temple with sculptures made of Parian marble (i.e., from Paros Island), which depicted the labours of Theseus as well as battles with Centaurs and Giants (Gigantes). The remaining sculptures are showcased in the Lavrio Museum, whereas the impressive kouros [male youths] that once stood in the temple yard are now on display in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
The race continues to gain its passionate followers, steeped in history, and a feast for the eyes, passing dozens of other spectacular, mythical islands as marks of the course!
Participating for their fourth time was the J/111 AIOLIA J. Her owner/skipper, Spiros Papantoniou, was able to overcome the challenging course to take the bronze medal in ORC 3 Division and also take 4th in ORC Overall!
For more Aegean 600 Race sailing information
https://aegean600.com/