12:00, Saturday 6th of July 2024, Olympic Marine, Greece.
Last year, a month before the start of the Aegean 600 we have written on our site here: “The 3rd edition of the Aegean 600, with a start on Sunday July 9th this year under the Poseidon Temple in Cape Sounio, not only boasts a record of 47 entries from 17 countries but a significant jump on the quality and depth of the sailing teams entered. It seems that the mythical 600 course and the prevailing fresh t-shirt sailing conditions along with the well known greek hospitality is secret no more. ROLEX should take notice“.
This year, just hours before the start of the 4th Aegean 600 on Sunday July 7th, 69 entries from 24 countries are berthed in OLYMPIC Marine and ROLEX is present as the Official Timepiece. H.O.R.C. work hard year after year to place the Aegean 600 strong among the other 600-mile classics. Team OPTIMUM-Samos Steamship is proud to have competed in all three previous editions and reached the podium in 2021 and 2023. For this 4th edition our thoroughbred Carkeek 47 OPTIMUM S is fully prepped for battle royal and the crew super excited to race along such high caliber crews and sailing legends in home waters, aiming for another strong showing.
“Last year I missed the race a day before the start due to a family health issue. The team managed 3rd overall in IRC and 1st in ORCi without me on board, and I am keen to be part of another successful experience. After eight ROLEX Middle Sea Races and three Aegean 600s since 2003 and in our 31st season as Team OPTIMUM, we have done our homework, anticipating that the stakes are higher than ever. We are also excited about a new Greek entry, AIOLOS VOR70(ex. I LOVE POLAND) headed by Mr. George Prokopiou and a very capable and promising crew directed by Olympic 470 bronze medalist duo Mantis-Kagialis. We are happy to see that the Aegean 600 attracts serious fresh interest in offshore sailing in Greece and more local teams with high aspirations emerge. The presence of ROLEX this year elevates the Aegean 600 status and we have only positive vibes for the future of Aegean 600 and international awareness of what experiences our home waters can offer to our fellow sailors from abroad. Let it start!”, declares Nikos Lazos, Team OPTIMUM co-owner, co-skipper and tactician.
The crew line-up to be recorded in the OPTIMUM story book is more or less the same like last year with only two changes in thirteen members and reads from bow to stern: Fanis Dalezios, Lefteris Grispos, Mily Tirla, Manolis Markogiannakis, Giannis Kapos, Nikos Apostolakis, Nikos Kountouriotis, Thodoris Papakyriakou, Vaggelis Nikolopoulos, Evangelos Nikolaidis, Apostolos Serraos, Periklis Livas and Nikos Lazos.
Special thanks to the Inglessis Family of Samos Steamship for their warm patronage, all Team OPTIMUM members beyond the final race crew that provided their time and skills on the long preparation period, and all our growing Team OPTIMUM fans supporting us in so many ways in good and bad times.
Love you all..!