The sixth edition of the AEGEAN 600 delivered one of the closest finishes in the race’s history, as Prosecco DOC Shockwave 3 (Italy) and Aiolos (Greece), skippered by George Prokopiou, crossed the finish line off Cape Sounio just 129 seconds apart after an exhilarating 605-nautical-mile contest across the Aegean Sea.
The Italian yacht secured this year’s coveted Line Honours title, completing the course in 2 days, 8 minutes and 27 seconds, with Aiolos finishing less than half a nautical mile behind in 2 days, 10 minutes and 36 seconds. The two yachts had separated themselves from the rest of the fleet from the opening stages of the race, producing one of the most memorable duels in AEGEAN 600 history and the closest finish ever recorded between two leading boats in the event.
Although Aiolos relinquished last year’s Line Honours title, the Greek team retained its leadership in the Maxi category. Skipper George Prokopiou, joined by Olympic medallists Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis, praised both his crew’s performance and the exceptional sailing conditions.
“It was a fantastic race with strong winds both day and night. The conditions allowed us to enjoy the beauty of the Aegean islands in daylight, something we had never experienced before during this race. We are proud to have defended our position as the leading Maxi yacht, and next year we hope to return with a new boat and compete for overall victory. I dedicate this win to my eleventh grandchild, our baby girl, who was born on Sunday morning, just before the start of the race,” Prokopiou said.
An equally intense battle unfolded for third place, with the French yachts Palanad 4 and Daguet 5 sailing within just two nautical miles of each other during the final stretch of the race. After a dramatic duel over the last 100 nautical miles, Palanad 4 overtook its rival shortly before the finish to secure third place at Cape Sounio.
The fleet continues to arrive at the finish line, while the 6th AEGEAN 600 will conclude with the official prize-giving ceremony at the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park on Saturday, July 11.
For the third consecutive year, Rolex serves as the Official Timepiece of the race, reinforcing the event’s place among the world’s leading 600-nautical-mile offshore races, alongside the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Organised by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC), the AEGEAN 600 continues to strengthen Greece’s position on the international sailing calendar while showcasing the unrivalled beauty of the Aegean Sea to a global audience.
