The start of the Aegean 600 2024 was marked by exceptional weather conditions, propelling the fleet to a fast start. With favorable winds, race records are in sight for both divisions.
Multihulls naturally at the head of the race
Multihulls led the way under the MOCRA handicap system, with two MOD 70 âeuros ARGO and ZOULOU âeuros in the lead. The start was launched for five multihulls, including Jason Carroll's MOD 70 ARGO (USA) and Erik Maris' ZOULOU (FRA), both candidates to beat the course record of 2 days, 5 hours, 36 minutes and 2 seconds set in 2022. Right from the start, ZOULOU took the lead, but ARGO quickly caught up and regained the lead, sailing at over 30 knots.
The monohull battle
The fastest monohulls, LUCKY and VO 70 L4, are battling for leadership and are well on the way to breaking records. 50 miles behind the multis, the fastest monohulls, Byron Earhart's Juan K 88 LUCKY (USA) and Joern Larsen's VO 70 L4 (MLT), are in a fierce battle for the lead. Stefan Jentzsch's Botin 56 BLACK PEARL (GER), although smaller, maintains an impressive pace despite carrying sails and no ballast.
The challenges of conditions
If wind conditions favor professional teams, they also cause damage and retirements. Record-breaking conditions also caused damage. Several teams were forced to retire, including the Sun Fast 3300 MUNJEK RS (CRO), the First 47.7 SILHOA (BEL), the First 456 TRINITY (AUT), and the Carkeek 47 OPTIMUM S SAMOS STEAMSHIP, fortunately with no injuries reported.
Crossing Santorini
The first competitors will pass Santorini's caldera before nightfall, offering a unique night-time spectacle beneath the city's illuminated cliffs. The Melteme will continue to blow strongly, before veering west and strengthening the winds over the second half of the course.
A major challenge in the IMA Maxi Offshore Challenge
" This impressive race is a major challenge for the IMA Maxi Offshore Challenge 2024 Trophy "Technical expert for the International Maxi Association (IMA), he underlines the importance of this race in the IMA Maxi Offshore Challenge 2024 Trophy. This trophy will be awarded to the team with the best scores in three of the seven races in the series, of which the Aegean 600 is the sixth leg.
