Poseidon Temple, Cape Sounio, Saturday, July 23, 2016.
Just crossed the finish line of the sixth and final leg of the 53rd Aegean Rally from Milos to Cape Sounio, just under the Poseidon Temple. OPTIMUM 3-THENAMARIS-OPTIMISE crossed the line first as she should to stand a chance to win the leg on handicap but we will know this when all competing yachts cross the line and the results are posted, however we feel we did well enough to win. But what’s important right now is that we are back, safe and full of new experiences that will play vital role on Team Optimum future.
And the future comes from the heart of the younger man on board: “That’s Aegean Magic! After eight days fighting with the Optimum Team across and around the unique Aegean Sea of Greece, pressed to perform in diverse roles as navigator, tactician, helmsman, mainsail trimmer and electronics whizz, I stand on the stern looking at the Poseidon Temple here in Cape Sounio from sea level and I feel stronger and more capable than ever to pursue my dream to compete in the next Olympics in the Laser Class after missing selection for Rio earlier this year. The greatness of the Aegean Sea that I felt strongly in my soul surfing with my mates for hours continuously at 20 knots on a 52-footer carbon racing yacht trimming the mainsail to the edge was a huge confirmation that hard work always pays off. I have no words to thank the Optimum Team for inviting me on board for the season because I opened my horizons and learned and validated so many things in sailing to feel a better man”, says 21-year old gold Optimum recruit Charis Mavrogeorgis with a serious shine in his eyes during magic sunset here in Sounio.
If you care, stay tuned with us to find out if we won the 53rd edition of the Aegean Rally or not.