For the first time in the six-year history of the AEGEAN 600, the event's prestigious Silver Trophy has gone to France. Following two consecutive German victories (Best Buddies in 2025 and Black Pearl in 2024), PALANAD 4, skippered by Antoine Magre, emerged victorious in the IRC Overall standings after the demanding 600-nautical-mile race, ahead of fellow French yacht DAGUET 5 (Frédéric Puzin) and the Greek yacht AIOLOS (George Prokopiou).

"PALANAD 4 is a brand-new yacht that has only been sailing offshore for one year, and this was her first major race. It was a fantastic experience, and we're thrilled to have won. It was an extremely demanding challenge—congratulations to all the crews and to the organizers of the AEGEAN 600. Sailing through the Greek islands is an incredible experience. We truly enjoyed the famous Greek hospitality, and you can be certain we'll be back next year," said PALANAD 4 owner Olivier Magre, who received a warm ovation while accepting the prestigious Silver Trophy during yesterday's prize-giving ceremony at the Lavrion Technological Park.

In the ORC Overall classification, the American yacht FINAL FINAL claimed victory ahead of the Italian PROSECCO DOC SHOCKWAVE, which also secured this year's Line Honours, while MARY S from the Czech Republic completed the podium.

Among the Greek successes, AIOLOS, skippered by George Prokopiou, successfully defended its IRC Maxi title after also winning the category in 2024. The yacht also finished third overall in IRC and sixth overall in ORC.

XIPHOS, skippered by Paris Kyriakopoulos, finished second in ORC One and seventh in IRC One, while MELITI, skippered by Stratis Andreadis, placed seventh in IRC Maxi. OPTIMUM 4, skippered by Periklis Livas, secured fourth place in ORC Double-Handed, while AIOLIA, skippered by Spyros Papantoniou, finished fifth in IRC Two, followed by AETHER, skippered by Evi Delidou, in sixth place.

Strong Meltemi Winds and Complete Calms Across the Aegean

Once again, the Aegean Sea tested the sailors competing in the AEGEAN 600. The 71 yachts that started from the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion on Sunday, July 6, encountered a remarkable variety of conditions during the six-day, non-stop 600-nautical-mile race.

More than 700 sailors experienced Aeolus at his most unpredictable. Winds reached 45 knots off Kasos, while several yachts found themselves completely becalmed near Mykonos.

The crew of XIPHOS experienced both extremes.

"The Aegean Sea is, obviously, a fascinating body of water. We recorded up to 43 knots while passing Kasos, and then, after Mykonos, we found ourselves completely motionless with absolutely no wind," commented skipper Paris Kyriakopoulos.

He continued:

"This is the nature of offshore racing—not every yacht encounters the same conditions at the same time. We were rather unfortunate to get caught in that weather system. Nevertheless, it was an outstanding race. We thoroughly enjoyed it, and from a tactical perspective it was one of the greatest challenges we've ever faced. It was a race that gave us immense satisfaction."

Among those attending the prize-giving ceremony were Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistokleous, President of the Greek National Tourism Organisation Angela Varela, Regional Councillor Vasiliki Kavallari, President of the Hellenic Olympians Association Voula Kozompoli, President of the Hellenic Olympians Club Stavroula Zygouri, representatives of the Hellenic Navy General Staff and the Hellenic Coast Guard, Mayor of Lavreotiki Dimitris Loukas, distinguished figures from the shipping and business communities, as well as representatives of the event's sponsors and supporters.

The crews representing 71 yachts from 21 countries concluded this year's event by renewing their appointment for the next edition of the AEGEAN 600, which will start on Sunday, 4 July 2027.

Results by Category

Line Honours

• PROSECCO DOC SHOCKWAVE 3 (ITA) – Claudio Demartis

IRC Overall

1. PALANAD 4 (FRA) – Antoine Magre
2. DAGUET 5 (FRA) – Frédéric Puzin
3. AIOLOS (GRE) – George Prokopiou

IRC Zero

1. PALANAD 4 (FRA) – Antoine Magre
2. DAGUET 5 (FRA) – Frédéric Puzin
3. AIOLOS (GRE) – George Prokopiou

IRC One

1. FOREVER K (ITA) – Claudio Bernoni
2. VARUNA (USA) – Chris Hemans
3. CHACAL (TUR) – Oguz Ayan

IRC Two

1. COCODY (FRA) – Richard Fromentin
2. KARPO IDRIJA (SLO) – Maks Vrecko & Andrey Jereb
3. LIBERTINE (ITA) – Marco Paolucci

IRC Three

1. BOGATYR (UAE) – Igor Ritov
2. COLOMBRE (ITA) – Massimo Juris
3. VALENTINA (TUR) – Viktor Zakharov

IRC Double-Handed

1. COLOMBRE (ITA) – Massimo Juris
2. PNEUMA (POL) – Andrey Rozycki
3. LIBERTINE (ITA) – Marco Paolucci

IRC Maxi

1. AIOLOS (GRE) – George Prokopiou
2. PROSECCO DOC SHOCKWAVE (ITA) – Lorenzo Bressani
3. BIG SKY (SLO) – Zbigniew Gutkowski

ORC Overall

1. FINAL FINAL (USA) – Russell Whitworth
2. PROSECCO DOC SHOCKWAVE (ITA) – Lorenzo Bressani
3. MARY S (CZE) – Peter Podunavac

ORC Zero

1. FINAL FINAL (USA) – Russell Whitworth
2. PROSECCO DOC SHOCKWAVE (ITA) – Lorenzo Bressani
3. FOREVER K (ITA) – Claudio Bernoni

ORC One

1. ABOAT TIME (BUL) – Petar Dimitrov
2. XIPHOS (GRE) – Paris Kyriakopoulos
3. DARKWOOD (GBR) – Michael O'Donnell

ORC Two

1. KARPO IDRIJA (SLO) – Maks Vrecko & Andrey Jereb
2. XCALIBUR (GRE) – Darren Wright
3. BE CALM (CZE) – Vitek Sprdlik

ORC Three

1. MARY S (CZE) – Peter Podunavac
2. VALENTINA (TUR) – Victor Zakharov
3. PNEUMA (POL) – Andrzej Rozyski

ORC Double-Handed

1. PNEUMA (POL) – Andrzej Rozycki
2. COLOMBRE (ITA) – Massimo Juris
3. MOWGLI OF PORTSMOUTH (ESP) – Patrick & Vincent Harris

MOCRA

1. QUICK DECISION (GBR) – Stuart Austin
2. TURBOLENTA (ITA) – Marcello Bellacicca

For more information, visit www.aegean600.com.

ROLEX: Official Timepiece of the AEGEAN 600

ROLEX has always been associated with pursuits driven by passion, excellence, precision, the relentless pursuit of perfection, and teamwork. For the third consecutive year, ROLEX serves as the Official Timepiece of the AEGEAN 600.

The AEGEAN 600 is one of the world's premier 600-nautical-mile offshore races supported by ROLEX as part of the brand's 71-year partnership with the sport of sailing. Competing crews face the same exciting challenges and unique characteristics found in legendary Rolex races such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Rolex Fastnet Race, and Rolex Middle Sea Race.

There is a natural affinity between ROLEX and offshore sailing, where success depends on unwavering commitment, extensive experience, and keen intuition to master constantly shifting winds, powerful currents, and challenging seas.

The 600-nautical-mile course embraces much of the Aegean Sea, making the AEGEAN 600 one of the largest international offshore races in terms of foreign participation. This strong international presence plays a significant role in promoting Greece worldwide.

The AEGEAN 600 is organized by the Panhellenic Offshore Sailing Club (POIATH), co-organized by the Region of Attica and Olympic Marine, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, the Deputy Ministry of Sports, and the General Secretariat of Sports.

ROLEX returns for the third consecutive year as the Official Timepiece of the event.

The race is sponsored by the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) and KORONAKIS, one of the world's leading manufacturers of synthetic ropes and wire ropes.

Supporting partners include the International Maxi Association (IMA), KERAMEIKOS–ATHINAI Construction, PANTAENIUS, TECHNOHULL, and X-YACHTING.

Mercedes-Benz is the Official Mobility Partner, while the Aegean Yacht Club, based at Olympic Marine, is the event's collaborating yacht club.

Official suppliers include Torqeedo electric outboards powered by Yamaha, Helly Hansen, and Dole bananas.

Media partners are SKAI TV, the event's official broadcaster, Kathimerini, as well as Skipper ONDECK, The YachtBook, Boats & Yachting Guide, Athens Riviera Journal, and Sailing World Greece (Istioploikos Kosmos).

Interad serves as the event's official internet services partner.