The International Aegean Rally is a sailing race with a long and distinguished history, organized every year by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC). It is the oldest and most prestigious sailing event in Greece, often described as a Marathon at sea.
Since 1964, it has attracted competitors from all over the world as well as from across Greece. Every year, most Greek sailing yachts are present at the starting line. The Aegean Rally consists of a series of three or four offshore races, usually starting and/or finishing in the Faliro Bay, with intermediate stops at various Aegean islands. Since the historic battleship Averof was moored as a naval museum at Paleo Faliro, the symbolic start of the race is given from the waters in front of it.
The total distance covered each year varies depending on the islands selected as intermediate destinations, ranging from approximately 350 to 500 nautical miles. The race features a wide variety of sailing yachts, differing in length and sail area, categorized between performance racing yachts and cruising yachts. To ensure fair competition among such diverse vessels, a handicap system is applied, taking into account the capabilities of each yacht.
The rally takes place during the best season of the year, when ideal weather conditions prevail across the Aegean. Local winds and the well-known Meltemi, blowing steadily at 20–30 knots, dominate throughout the race. The sun shines over the deep blue sea, and summer is at its peak, with temperatures around 30°C.
A major factor in the success of the Aegean Rally is the natural beauty and local character of the islands visited or passed by each year. The traditional Greek islands, with their picturesque scenery and hospitable inhabitants, offer participants moments of relaxation and tranquility during the event.
In its early years, the rally was a strictly competitive event. Over time, thanks to its excellent organization and the large participation of Greek and foreign yachts, it has evolved into a broader maritime celebration, closely linked to the Aegean islands and Greece’s seafaring tradition. The Hellenic Navy has played a decisive role in this evolution: hosting the Skippers’ Meeting and the welcome reception for Greek and international crews aboard the battleship Averof, escorting the fleet with a naval vessel during the races, coordinating the reception of yachts at the islands, organizing local nautical festivals with the participation of the island communities, and hosting the Award Ceremony and Reception at the Aegean Naval Command. These contributions have greatly enhanced the prestige and publicity of the event.
Thanks to this, the Aegean Rally has, for many years, attracted numerous Greek and international sponsors, who proudly support this iconic sailing event.
