The 2026 ILCA 7 Masters World Championship concluded in the best possible way for Greek sailing, having been hosted at the facilities of the Kalamaki Nautical Club (NOK) at Alimos Marina. Greek sailing celebrated two gold and one silver medal, with Michalis Koulianos and Antonis Bougiouris standing on the top step of the podium in their respective categories, while the Greek national anthem was played twice during yesterday’s awards ceremony.
Michalis Koulianos, who had won a bronze medal just one week earlier at the ILCA 6 Masters World Championship, secured a second medal—this time gold—in the Apprentices category of the ILCA 7 class. With eight victories in twelve races, the Kalamaki Nautical Club sailor demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the event, maintaining a high level of performance against strong competitors from around the world.
“June seems to have been my month. After winning the bronze medal at the ILCA 6 Championship, I have now won the gold medal at the ILCA 7 Championship, on my birthday. I am extremely happy because, although I had stopped sailing 20 years ago due to professional and family commitments, Kalamaki Nautical Club believed in me, and three years ago I returned to the sea. It is an incredible feeling to do again what you love. I feel vindicated. Congratulations to the entire Greek team and to the organizers for this wonderful experience,” commented the NOK sailor.
Second place and the silver medal in the same category went to sailing coach Alexis Katsios, completing Greece’s dominance in the category.
“I had not sailed for 12 years, and the motivation of competing in your own country was enormous for us Greek sailors. Winning this medal has inspired me, and I hope to find time in the future to continue doing what I love. What will stay with me from this event are the smiles and the passion I saw among the sailors,” he said.
Antonis Bougiouris delivered a commanding performance in the Masters category, winning nine of the twelve races and comfortably claiming his 11th medal—his seventh gold—in similar competitions, once again confirming his class and experience.
“This medal is special because I won it in front of my friends. Due to an injury three months ago, I had been sidelined and did not know whether I would be ready in time for the event. In the end, the rest proved beneficial. I felt great during the competition and am now ready, should the Federation approve it, to participate in the Mediterranean Games. Having competed in more than 30 World Championships throughout my career, I believe this championship ranks among my top five. Congratulations to the organizers. I dedicate this medal to my children and my partner,” said the experienced champion.
The event brought together 84 top sailors from 20 countries, who competed for a week in the waters of the Saronic Gulf, providing a high level of competition and spectacle under varying wind conditions. The excellent organization, warm hospitality, and Greece’s three medals all contributed to the success of the championship, which received highly positive feedback from athletes and accompanying teams.
“Kalamaki Nautical Club did an outstanding job. The sailors are very satisfied, and that makes us particularly happy. I am certain they will return to their countries with great memories. We have organized many championships together with Kalamaki Nautical Club, and I am sure we will organize many more,” commented ILCA President Marc Lyttle.
“The reward for our work is the smiles and comments of the athletes. These give us the strength to continue. They make us proud and fill us with confidence for even better events in the future. It is very important that Greek sailors won medals. We thank all the sailors, coaches, and team members who came to Greece and participated. We also thank the ILCA administration for the trust they placed in us and the Hellenic Sailing Federation for co-organizing the event. Finally, a big thank you to our supporters, volunteers, and the entire NOK team,” stated the President of Kalamaki Nautical Club, Giorgos Christopoulos.
The double Greek success crowned an outstanding overall performance by Greek sailors and once again confirmed the strength of Greek sailing on the international stage. At the same time, it highlighted the country’s ability to host major international events, further strengthening its reputation on the global sailing map.
“We are very proud and very satisfied with the organization of both the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 Masters World Championships over these 15 days. The seven medals won in total by Greek sailors clearly demonstrate the strength of Greek sailing. Congratulations are due to Kalamaki Nautical Club, which has proven once again that it gives its all to deliver top-level competitions. For us, the participants in these championships will be the best ambassadors for what took place in Alimos over the past two weeks,” said Hellenic Sailing Federation President Niki Anastasiou.
Among those present at yesterday’s awards ceremony were Alimos Marina Director Vangelis Vlachos, Saronic Port Authority Commander Iakovos Kyriakakis, and ONEX representative Giorgos Stefanou.
Final Results (Top Three and Greek Placings)
Apprentices
- Michalis Koulianos (GRE) – 15
- Alexis Katsios (GRE) – 24
- Franco Riquelme Antonetti (ARG) – 29
- Giorgos Markogiannis (GRE) – 45
- Th. Bizbianos (GRE) – 87
Masters
- Antonis Bougiouris (GRE) – 15
- Brendan Casey (AUS) – 32
- Alessandro Sartorelli (ITA) – 33
- Aristotelis Chatzistamatiou (GRE) – 44
- Michalis Mavroudis (GRE) – 82
- Antonis Kartas (GRE) – 99
- Giannis Pachakis (GRE) – 114
- Antonis Dimitriadis (GRE) – 119
- Panagiotis Nonas (GRE) – 127
Grand Masters
- Mark Lyttle (GBR) – 50
- Robert Hallawell (USA) – 63
- Bruce Savage (AUS) – 65
- Antonis Papadopoulos (GRE) – 216
- Christoforos Kifidis (GRE) – 330
Great Grand Masters
- Allan Clark (CAN) – 23
- Jeff Loosemore (AUS) – 64
- Roberto Bini (ITA) – 71
Legends
- Greg Jackson (USA) – 17
- Don Hahl (USA) – 22
- John Roberson (AUS) – 28
The championship was organized by Kalamaki Nautical Club in cooperation with the Hellenic Sailing Federation, under the auspices of the Ministry of Development, the Ministry of Sports, and the Municipality of Alimos.
Supporters of Kalamaki Nautical Club included ONEX Shipyards & Technologies, Chery Spanos SA, ANMA, Shell, Arbitrage, Colliers, Paralos, Gaviotis Travel, VIKOS, Zhik, ODS, S&M, Marinepool, NOTOS, Act, In the Loop, Proshows, Ambrosia, and Lavdas.
Media partner Nova covered the event through reports and special features broadcast on Novasports News and published on Novasports.gr.
