Glyfada, Thursday, January 28th , 2016, 09:00
Team OPTIMUM members gathered last night for the opening of the 2016 season and the verdict was sound and clear: OPTIMUM Yacht Racing Team will be present at full force for the 23rdconsecutive season since its establishment in 1994. The racing menu for 2016 is long and depending on available sponsorship funds, OPTIMUM 3 may compete in up to three major international regattas and numerous regional events from May till October. No less than sixteen teammates showed up, three were on a ski trip in France and the remaining six missing were (almost) excused for various reasons.
“We are looking forward to an extremely interesting and competitive season. The ORCi EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP will be hosted in Porto Carras, Khalkidhiki in early July and is expected to gather about 50-70 top international entries that will fight hard for the European title. The 53rd AEGEAN RALLY, the toughest weeklong regatta in Greece will start from Faliron Bay in Athens, will visit Patmos and Melos islands, and will end up in spectacular fashion in Cape Sounio, just under the temple of Poseidon. The ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE in October in Malta is in our sights for 2016 too, but first we need to validate our budget and final sponsor’s support. 2016 is also a POSSIDONIA CUP year alongside the biannual World’s top Shipping Exhibition “POSSIDONIA” in Piraeus. In addition, Andros Race and an array of other regional regattas will keep us busy under the summer sun and unique Greek blue sky. We are already working on our physical condition and are upgrading gear and systems on our well-trusted platform, OPTIMUM 3. “Let it roll!” is the call coming from crew boss Nikos Fougias who returns on board after a bit of “longer than expected” absence due to real life work commitments.
“Sponsors Wanted” is the call of the day, and although team leaders Livas & Lazos are talking with various interested parties, no commitments have been made until now. The Optimum team is also looking for up to two new team members under thirty to join the team and keep the crew age mean value steady for a lot more reasons than one. Please, join in!