Cypriot-Polish Nireas crew to take part in the Aegean 600 regatta

The yacht Nireas, with a mixed Cypriot-Polish crew, will take part in the Aegean 600 sea race. Its start on the course is scheduled for July 5, 2026, off Cape Sounion. The crew announced the upcoming participation on Tuesday, June 23.

What is interesting about the yacht itself?

The vessel was designed by Italian naval architect Maurizio Cossutti. The yacht was originally built for professional racing campaigns.

The captain and owner of the vessel, Maciej Gorecki, said the project was conceived as a combination of sporting and organizational ambitions.

“We wanted to build something fast, beautiful and real — not just a yacht, but a concept,” he said.

The team’s home port remains Ayia Napa marina.

A 605-mile race through 23 islands

The Aegean 600 course is about 605 nautical miles long (around 1,120 km). The race follows a circular route around the Aegean Sea, passing approximately 23 islands. Conditions on the course can change sharply — from calm winds to strong winds and storms. The organizers are the Greek yacht club HORC and Olympic Marine marina in Lavrio. The start and finish are located by the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. This year, 77 yachts from 21 countries have entered, more than 30% up from the previous edition, and the Maxi class is represented by 12 boats — a record number. The race takes place from July 5 to 11, 2026.

What records have been set on the course?

The regatta has been running since 2021. This year’s edition is the sixth overall. Over the past five years, around a thousand sailors from 27 countries have completed the course.

Among monohulls, the record belongs to LEOPARD 3 — a 100-foot racing yacht designed by Farr and flying the Monaco flag. In 2023, it completed the full route in 45 hours and 5 minutes, and this result still stands as the best on the course.

Among multihulls, the fastest was the French trimaran ZOULOU in the MOD 70 class. In 2024, it took 37 hours and 18 minutes to complete the distance.

The overall winner receives not a cash prize, but a rotating trophy — a silver replica of an Attic ceramic vessel from the 5th century BC.

How did the crew prepare for the race?

Before the start, the team completed technical preparations: it upgraded onboard systems, navigation equipment and communications gear, and also practiced procedures for long periods at sea. Beyond the sporting goal, the project is aimed at long-term participation in offshore sailing and includes the involvement of young sailors in separate stages of the campaign. One of the crew members, Dimitris Karagiannis, described Nireas as a team that “makes you better with every mile.”

“Nireas is a long-term project, and the Aegean 600 is an important step,” Gorecki said, describing the initiative as based on shared experience and sustainable cooperation.

Yachts from different countries around the world will line up at the start in Greece.