Greeting from the Secretary General of the Aegean and Island Policy and President of the Organizing Committee of the “AEGEAN REGATTA 2026”
Welcome to “AEGEAN REGATTA 2026”, the 25th International Aegean Offshore Sailing Race!
For a quarter of a century, this institutional event of the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy, in cooperation with the Hellenic Sailing Federation’s Offshore Committee, has been crossing the Aegean, bringing islands and people together, and securing a special place in the hearts of sailors in Greece and abroad. For the fifth consecutive year, I have the honor of addressing this greeting to you, and each time the emotion is greater.
“AEGEAN REGATTA” is a timeless voyage at sea. It links the tradition of our seafaring heritage—from the old wooden boats and folk maritime craftsmanship—to modern sailing, technology, and high-level sporting competition. On the very same sea that our ancestors once sailed, today’s modern offshore yachts glide, proving that the relationship between the Aegean and humankind remains alive, creative, and constantly evolving.
This year, from 21 to 28 August 2026, we set sail from Limnia – Volissos of Chios and follow a route that embraces the central and northeastern Aegean: Fournoi, Agathonisi, Marathokampos (Samos). Each island, each harbor, is a hub of memory, seamanship, and everyday life in our island communities. There, sailors and visitors will enjoy authentic experiences of hospitality, culture, and local flavors.
At the same time, this year we feel that the race marks a new beginning: an opportunity to give “new life” to the traditional wooden boats of our Aegean. With Samos at the heart of this effort—and its enduring, symbiotic relationship with wooden boatbuilding and traditional hulls—we highlight the unbreakable bond between land and sea: from the timber of the “black pine” in the island’s mountainous areas to the carved wood that takes shape and becomes a sturdy hull at sea. Together with the Hellenic Sailing Federation, this year we are striving to include traditional wooden boats in a more meaningful way, dedicating to them the space and time they deserve within the official program.
The official program is not only a race plan. It is an invitation to walk through the alleyways, to speak with local residents, to listen to the stories of the people who keep our border islands alive. Rest days become days of meeting and exchange; finish lines become an occasion for celebration—for music, for shared smiles in squares and harbors.
Over its 25 years, “AEGEAN REGATTA” has become synonymous with continuity, consistency, and love for the Aegean. The five consecutive editions of this period are, for me, five powerful memories: summers filled with light, faces, challenges we overcame together, and moments of pride when we see the boats form a colorful flotilla of hope upon our waters.
We therefore invite you to share once again the spirit of seamanship and adventure. To let the wind fill the sails—and our hearts with emotion—as we sail among islands that carry centuries of stories and among people who welcome us with warmth. Let us make “AEGEAN REGATTA 2026” not only another successful event, but an experience we will remember as a point of reference in this now five-year shared journey.
With appreciation,
Sincerely,
Manolis Koutoulakis
Secretary General of the Aegean and Island Policy
And
President of the Organizing Committee of the 25th International Aegean Offshore Sailing Races “AEGEAN REGATTA 2026”