Ermioni Gkika has successfully retained her title as European Champion for the second consecutive year. The talented young sailor from Kalamaki Sailing Club claimed the gold medal at the 2026 ILCA 6 Youth European Championship, held in Greek waters in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki. Just months before the start of the Olympic qualification cycle for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, Gkika demonstrated that she is in outstanding form.
The 18-year-old displayed remarkable consistency throughout the first four days of the championship, building a commanding 20-point lead over her closest competitor. Across the 12 races of the event, Gkika recorded the following results: 2, 2, 2, 2, 8, 2, 9, 2, (19 discarded), 11, 14, 4, finishing the championship with 58 penalty points. Italy's Marina Muri secured the silver medal with 79 points, while the Czech Republic's Beata Dokopilova claimed bronze with 102 points. A total of 45 sailors competed in the women's fleet at the European Championship in Kalamaria.
This marks Gkika's second consecutive European title in the ILCA 6 class. Last year, she won gold in Vilamoura, Portugal, beginning an impressive run of international success. By securing back-to-back European titles, Gkika also lived up to the expectations of the championship's organizing authority, EurILCA, which had named her the clear favorite in its official event preview.
Competing in the waters of the Thermaic Gulf, Gkika was coached by Iasonas Kefallonitis, while continuing to receive the unwavering support of Kalamaki Sailing Club, as she has throughout her career.
Gkika Reaches 14 International Medals
With her victory in Thessaloniki, Ermioni Gkika has now won 14 international championship medals since 2022. Her achievements include:
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2022 – European Championship (Poland): Bronze Medal – U16 ILCA 4
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2022 – World Championship (Portugal): Silver Medal – U16 ILCA 4
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2023 – European Championship (Spain): Double Gold – U16 & U18 ILCA 4
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2023 – World Championship (Volos, Greece): Double Gold – U16 & U18 ILCA 4
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2024 – World Championship (Argentina): Silver Medal – U17 ILCA 6
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2024 – World Championship (Italy): Silver Medal – U17 ILCA 6
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2024 – European Championship (Ireland): Gold – U17 ILCA 6 | Bronze – U19 ILCA 6
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2025 – European Championship (Portugal): Gold – U19 ILCA 6
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2025 – World Championship (USA): Gold – U19 ILCA 6
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2026 – World Championship (Spain): Silver – U21 ILCA 6
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2026 – European Championship (Thessaloniki, Greece): Gold – U21 ILCA 6
The President of Kalamaki Sailing Club, George Christopoulos, together with the Club's Board of Directors, extends its warmest congratulations to Ermioni Gkika on this outstanding achievement.
