Teams from 21 nations are gathering at Olympic Marine in Lavrion, Greece, ahead of Sunday’s start of the Aegean 600. This year’s fleet of 73 entries is the largest in the race’s history, with registration, safety inspections and pre-race checklists keeping the marina busy in the lead-up to the 605-nautical-mile offshore race.
Safety preparation is a central focus of the pre-race programme. The Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) runs a World Sailing-approved Safety Seminar each year, combining classroom instruction with practical demonstrations. At least one crew member per entry is required to complete the training, which is renewable every five years. Many teams choose to send multiple crew members.
“Besides explaining the equipment and its proper use, we also teach how the team can work together to help each other,” said safety instructor Gerasimos Petratos.
Because the techniques are rarely called upon in genuine emergencies, Petratos added: “We have to practice these techniques again and again to be capable and proficient should the time come for us to have to use this equipment.”
The training is especially relevant for the 11 teams in the Double Handed division. Among them is Yam Wirtheim, competing in his third Aegean 600 alongside teammate Orly Yosopov aboard their Dehler 30 LAVORO III (ISR). He described the seminar as “very nice, fun and educational.”
Maks Vrecko returns for his third Aegean 600 on his Elan 450 KARPO IDRIJA (SLO). His 2024 campaign ended in a retirement after high winds near Kassos, but last year the team finished second overall in both IRC and ORC. Vrecko has assembled a combined crew from two Slovenian clubs and is focused on balancing boat speed with crew welfare over the full course.
“This is an extremely challenging race,” he said, “and we obviously love challenges.”
Gregor Stimpfl is back on his Scuderia 65 HAGAR V (ITA). His team took the overall win in 2022, and despite a larger fleet and stronger professional competition this year, he is confident heading into the race. He described the course as a “beautiful race course” with “fantastic geography with new views at every turn.”
“We are well-prepared, we know this course, and with a little luck we can do well again,” Stimpfl said.
He also noted that “the first half of this race is full-throttle: speed, speed and more speed,” while stressing that it remains “a serious race” where preparation and the safety of boat and crew are paramount.
Preparations continue with an optional Practice Race, starting at 14:00 EEST in the waters just east of Olympic Marine. The Skippers Meeting and Welcome Reception follow, with teams gathering under the stars at the marina for an evening of Greek hospitality.
Full race information and previous edition archives are available at www.aegean600.com.
Originally published by Aegean 600.
