Action from the Aegean Regatta

Next month Janet and I will be heading for the warm seas and blue skies of the Aegean Regatta, starting on Lesbos Island at the Eastern end of the Aegean. Although we’re both seasoned Aegean sailors this is only my second time at the regatta and Janet’s first. We’re getting quite excited now…the anticipation takes me back to 2007 when I first raced in this event, courtesy of our good friend Jonathon Chandler of Athens Sailing Academy. The 2007 edition also started from Lesbos so it will be a trip down memory lane for me when we arrive in the island’s capaital, Mytilini.

On that occasion I raced on on Koralia3, Jonathon’s 55′ ketch, with an itinerant crew of British, Dutch and Americans on board. The gallery of photographs above are from the 2007 event. This time we’ll be having our first experience of ‘formula one style’ racing on a Volvo 60 stripped out race boat called Spirit of Poros. We’ve been promised a much faster and much wetter ride than we’ve ever had before. Here’s a link to some video footage of Spirit of Poros from an early season race this year http://youtube/cO01RCx-rZ4 As is often the case with yacht racing, many of the crew will never have met before the race but, as last time, I’m sure that Jonathan will hone us into a finely drilled unit in the two days we’ll have to prepare. All good fun in the sun!

It’s not all hard work of course, there’ll be lots of shore time, tavernas to sample and Greek hospitality to enjoy. Can’t wait..