Lavrion, Greece – 15 June 2026

The sixth edition of the AEGEAN 600 is set to welcome its largest and most international fleet to date, with 77 yachts from 21 countries preparing to take on one of the world's most spectacular offshore sailing challenges.

With entries up by more than 30 percent compared to last year, the 605-nautical-mile race will start on 5 July 2026 beneath the iconic Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio, sending competitors on a demanding journey through the heart of the Aegean Sea.

The fleet features an impressive mix of monohulls and multihulls, ranging from high-performance Maxi yachts to double-handed offshore racers, highlighting the growing international appeal of the event.

"We are delighted—and honestly somewhat surprised—by the strength of this year's entry list," said Ioannis Maragkoudakis, Chairman of the AEGEAN 600 Organizing Committee and President of the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC).

"This year's participation demonstrates that offshore sailors continue to pursue their passion despite the challenges of today's world. Racing in the Aegean is always unique. Conditions are never the same twice, and that unpredictability is part of what makes this race so special. We are especially pleased to see so many teams returning."

Returning Champions and Familiar Faces

Among the returning contenders is the striking Carkeek 54 DAGUET 5, skippered by French sailor Frédéric Puzin. One of the fastest monohulls in last year's race, DAGUET 5 is no stranger to success, having previously reached the podium in other prestigious 600-mile offshore classics including the Rolex Middle Sea Race, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and RORC Caribbean 600.

Puzin praised both the challenge and the character of the event:

"I loved this race—not only because of its difficulty and the variety of conditions sailors must master, but also because of its spirit and historical significance. The scenery is extraordinary: the islands, the sunsets and the feeling of sailing waters that have been navigated for thousands of years."

Also returning is last year's IRC One winner, the Cookson 50 VARUNA, led by American skipper Chris Hemans. For Hemans, the appeal of the AEGEAN 600 extends beyond the racing itself.

"Our experience here last year was the most welcoming and enjoyable we have ever experienced at any sailing event. The organization was outstanding, the crews were incredibly supportive, and the sense of camaraderie throughout the fleet was exceptional. We are very excited to return."

Hemans believes VARUNA will be even stronger in 2026 after gaining valuable experience in Mediterranean offshore racing and investing in both new sails and crew development.

Other defending class champions returning this year include KARPO, the Elan 450 skippered by Slovenia's Maks Vrecko, and the double-handed duo of Alex Cot (France) and Michalis Aftias (Greece) aboard the Pogo 50 EROS.

The Italian Scuderia 65 HAGAR V, skippered by Gregor Stimpfl, also returns for its third AEGEAN 600 appearance. HAGAR V remains one of the event's most successful yachts, having captured the overall IRC title, the Poseidon Trophy for ORC, and victories in multiple divisions during its victorious 2022 campaign.

Strongest Maxi Fleet in Event History

The battle for overall honours is expected to be particularly intense this year, with a record-breaking 12 Maxi yachts entered—the largest Maxi fleet ever assembled for the race.

As part of the International Maxi Association (IMA) Maxi Mediterranean Offshore Challenge, the AEGEAN 600 continues to attract some of the Mediterranean's most competitive offshore programs.

Leading the charge is defending line honours winner AIOLOS, the Volvo 70 owned by Greek entrepreneur and sailor George Prokopiou, which set the pace in 2025 by completing the course in 3 days, 19 hours, 7 minutes and 8 seconds.

Other notable entries include the powerful Reichel/Pugh 90 PROSECCO DOC SHOCKWAVE 3 of Italy's Claudio Demartis and Austria's Artur Skrzyszowski aboard the Volvo 65 SELMA RACING – SISI.

With the Aegean's notoriously varied weather patterns, however, success will ultimately depend on strategy, adaptability and flawless execution at sea.

Double-Handed Division Continues to Grow

The growing popularity of short-handed offshore racing is reflected in the 13 teams entered in the double-handed division.

Competitors range from the fleet's smallest yachts—including three Dehler 30s—to larger performance yachts such as the Pegasus 50 BELLEROPHON sailed by American father-and-son team Les and Gordon Moeller.

The division also features returning contenders Michalis Aftias and Alex Cot aboard EROS, one of the favourites for class honours.

A Unique Offshore Challenge

Widely regarded as one of the most scenic and technically demanding offshore races in the world, the AEGEAN 600 takes competitors around 23 islands and across a broad range of sailing conditions.

From light summer breezes to powerful Meltemi winds, crews must navigate an ever-changing tactical environment while racing through waters steeped in maritime history.

Beyond the competition itself, the event has earned a reputation for its exceptional atmosphere, combining world-class offshore racing with renowned Greek hospitality at Olympic Marine in Lavrion.

Event Schedule

28 June – Complimentary berthing begins at Olympic Marine
30 June – Race Office opens
1–3 July – Registration and inspections
2 July – Safety Seminar
3 July – Practice Race, Skippers' Briefing, Media Briefing, Opening Ceremony and Crew Party
4 July – Visit to the Temple of Poseidon
5 July (14:00) – Start of the AEGEAN 600 at Cape Sounio
11 July – Time Limit, Prize Giving Ceremony and Gala Dinner
13 July – End of complimentary berthing

Supported by Rolex

For the third consecutive year, Rolex will serve as the Official Timepiece of the AEGEAN 600.

The race joins an exclusive group of major offshore competitions supported by Rolex, alongside legendary events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Rolex Fastnet Race and Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The partnership reflects the shared values of precision, endurance, excellence and teamwork that define both offshore sailing and the Rolex legacy.

About the AEGEAN 600

The AEGEAN 600 is organized by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) in cooperation with the Region of Attica and Olympic Marine, with the support of the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the Deputy Ministry of Sports and the General Secretariat of Sports.

The race has rapidly established itself as one of the Mediterranean's premier offshore sailing events and among the most international sporting events hosted in Greece, making a significant contribution to the global promotion of Greek sailing and maritime tourism.

For more information, visit: www.aegean600.com